The Lowveld Large Mouth fishing competition hosted its third leg at Injaka Dam, Bushbuckridge, on April 27, and despite the weather turning, everyone enjoyed a wonderful outing doing what they love most.

According to a committee member, Allan Germishuys, a live tag draw was held on April 25 to build excitement. The contestants used their tag numbers towards the starting blast-off on the day of the actual competition.

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Thirty-one bass anglers took to Injaka Dam. “We set out around 03:30, meeting at a set point,” Germishuys said. “The competitors were equipped with all kinds of paraphernalia, necessary to net that elusive winning fish. There were line boats and a large variety of fishing rods, all ready to find a winner. Also on the agenda was lunch with good friends and the usual stories of the one that got away. The competition started at 06:20 when there was sufficient light to safely boat across the dam. The weather did not disappoint, and having started off with great weather, it soon turned into four seasons with wind, rain and sun making traversing the dam quite tricky. The bites started slow for some, but picked up during the day, and everyone agreed that it was a fun-filled day for all.”

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Germishuys also said the stories about crocodiles in the dam are true, as one of the anglers took video footage of a ‘log with teeth’ chasing his bait. Just shows you again: nothing can keep a man intent on fishing down.

Tags had to be in at 15:00, and it was time for the guys to brag about how size matters and the best scales to use. After weighing the fish, they all were released back into the dam until next time a bunch of anglers convene at Injaka.

The fishermen also proved they had heart and collected money for Pets in Distress (PID) in Hazyview, an independent shelter that solely relies on donations to run a haven for abused and lost animals. Carel Nell of Automotive Refinish Solutions was especially mentioned and thanked as he put his hand deep into his pockets for PID.