Tzaneener, Gary Jones, caught the biggest fish of the day, measuring 55cm. Marnus Steyn also reeled in a 55cm largemouth bass and Henk van Wyngaardt caught a 43.5cm bass. Steyn took first place overall at the competition with a bag of five fish measuring 178.2cm in total. Jake McKee took second place overall with a bag of five fish measuring 170.5cm.

Jones took third place overall with a bag of five fish measuring 170cm with Clinton Ferreira (167.5cm) in fourth place and Van Wyngaardt (165cm) in fifth place. Quinton Coetzee (160.5cm) took sixth place while Lourens Matthyssen (159.5cm) took seventh place and Adriaan Joubert (155.5cm) was in eighth place. Flippie Smith, who took first place in the two previous competitions, shared ninth place overall with Janco Marais and Gerrit Boersma.

Also read: Good catches and great prizes for anglers

The next two competitions in the Northern Small Craft League will take place on May 4 and 5 at the Klaserie Dam. Due to safety concerns at Albasini Dam, the double competition was moved to Klaserie Dam outside Hoedspruit. The decision to move the double competition was based on numerous warnings of crocodile and hippo activity at Albasini Dam.

Organiser of the league, Derick de Bruyn, says that all anglers are welcome, especially young anglers and female anglers. Currently, two anglers are competing in the youth division of the league, and they would like to see these divisions increase in future competitions. “All you need is a boat, kick boat, or kayak smaller than 4.2m and you are set to go.

Only electronic trolling motors under 70 pounds or oars are allowed,” he says. To learn more about this league and see footage from previous competitions take a look at angler, Henko Austin’s YouTube channel: Feel Good Fishing with Henko. To join the Northern Small Craft League for the next competition, contact De Bruyn at 083 605 6512, Clinton Ferreira at 076 859 1576, or Adriaan Joubert at 076 736 8547.