Driekoppies to host Bonanza
All the laws applicable under the regulations, including those relating to social distancing, health protocols, movement and gatherings, still apply
The Lowveld, Escarpment and Onderberg have, by virtue of their many hospitable stretches of water, become a paradise for bass fishermen.
With its year-round warm climate, expectations are usually high when it comes to some of the area’s most sought after dams like Driekoppies. November will, however, see an unprecedented event making its way there.
In the biggest cash payout in the history of South African bass fishing, fishermen will stand a chance of walking away with R100 000 in cold, hard cash when Thermocline hosts the R100K Bonanza.
The date is set for November 14, but is subject to change. A payment of R10 000 per team secures you a one in 30 chance to bag the big bucks.
For now, the blanket ban on recreational fishing has been lifted. On Friday it was gazetted that fishing in groups will, however, remain illegal for the remainder of lockdown level 3 and due to the inability to predict circumstances and restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 coronavirus, payments will only reserve your entry and fees are fully refundable should the competition need to be cancelled. According to one of the organisers, William Myers, who currently sits in third place in the Lowveld Bass Trail (LBT) log with teammate Herman Geldenhuys, the competition will not only offer an unmatched reward for the winners, but will also serve as a fundraiser for the Bassmasters Team Trials which they, along with only five other South African teams, qualified for. The Bassmasters, which was scheduled to take place in December this year, was postponed to December 2021.
Until further notice, the remainder of the 2020 LBT has also been cancelled. For more information on the competiton, contact Myers on 083-524-0664 or Geldenhuys on 072-124-4518.
Fishing is legal during level 3
Albi Modise, spokesman for environment, forestry and fisheries, last week confirmed that fishing is allowed during the third phase of lockdown. It is, however, to be done with certain restrictions, as gazetted on Friday.
Recreational fishermen must be in possession of a valid recreational fishing permit, obtainable from the post office for recreational fishing under the Marine Living Resources Act, and as required by the applicable legislation for freshwater fishing.
All the laws applicable under the regulations, including those relating to social distancing, health protocols, movement and gatherings, still apply.
Many South Africans who practice individual sports remain unsure whether (and if so, how) they can now resume participating in these activities.
During media briefings in May, the National Command Council indicated that the SA minister of police, Nathi Mthethwa, would provide clarity, but none was given during his most recent address on May 30.
Minister of justice and correctional services, Ronald Lamola, said South Africans may exercise between 06:00 and 18:00, as long as they practice social distancing and do not exercise in groups.
Mthethwa clarified last weekend that contact sports remain prohibited.
What about professional non-contact sports?
The regulations indicate that professional non-contact sports matches may be held subject to the lockdown regulations and may only include players, match officials, journalists and medicinal and television crews. Further information will be made available by the ministers of sport and health soon.
At the time of going to press, no deadline had been announced for this to happen.
Am I allowed to fish from a boat?
According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority, it was decided to issue a new marine notice that recreational boating will be allowed under level 3.
