Hi guys, with the OK from a fellow bassing acquaintance, Kobus de Winnaar (Winner of the KBBC Leg 2 @ E.B.A. 2009, and 4th at KBBC Leg 3 @ Murray Park 2009), I will post some of the pics of his follow-me bag that seems to work very well.
This is not meant to be a "classified ad", rather an informative read and advising guys where to get good quality bags. CarpKing, perhaps contact him (I'll send you his number).
Previously I mentioned that the "carp sack" I have (very soft bag meant to keep carp in by pegging it into the ground in the corners) proved a disaster as a follow me bag. Aeration holes were small, the bag folded in on itself and kinda "clung" to the fish, it floated on the surface, thereby restricting the fish in a big way - a definite no-no. My fish started turning very soon after placing them in the bag, which I successfully released as soon as I saw this happen.
The follow-me bag Kobus has, is apparently very good in a lot of respects:-
- Material is soft once in the water, does not harm the fish
- Aeration holes are quite big, so water flow is not restricted in any way
- The bag keeps it's shape rather than folding, and stays in the water rather than floats, which means the fish are always able to move around freely
- The zip opens and closes easily, even when under water
- He had 5 fish in the bag recently while testing it out, weighing in at around 7kg for a good part of the day at Bronkies, and the fish were released looking extremely good and seemed unstressed (see pic attached)
- Kobus attaches his bag to his float tube as per the pics, by means of Karibiners (those hooks that climbers use etc. - do not come with the bag). The same can be done for inflatables, pontoons, etc.
- His fish at Boskop KBBC in March looked very good too, in fact he has never had a fish turn in the bag at all.
- The price is good, I feel, at R150 each.
A friend of his (Eric I think?) makes them in Boksburg, and Kobus helps him out by selling them for him at no extra cost (Kobus based in the North of JHB).
Kobus has said he would be willing to bring the bags to the next competition (or send them with someone), however should you wish to collect, he would accommodate you at a convenient time. However, please make payment with your order, as it is a bit unfair for Kobus and his mate to lay out money and people turn him down.
Please PM me or Carpking23 for his details.
Cheers!