Wittus is top LBT team
The top 20 teams on the Angler Team of the Year points table were invited to participate in this prestigious event at a venue that has been fishing very well of late.
The final round of the Lowveld Bass Trail (LBT) took place at De Hoop Dam.
Also read: Competition steps up as bass take the bait
Any one of the teams that qualified for the final, stood a good chance of winning the tournament and going into the event there were no clear favourites. The total prize value was over R167 000.
The two-day tournament kicked off with blistery conditions dominating most of the day. Despite the difficult conditions, some very impressive limits were weighed, of which a mammoth 11,005-kilogram bag by team Wittus Angling saw them take the lead after the first day followed by team Rugged who weighed in at 9,030 kilograms.
Also read: Anglers impress at penultimate trail
The following day Wittus Angling again weighed the heaviest bag of the day, 10,48 kilograms, which was enough to hold off a fast-charging team Burn to clinch the title with an overall points haul of 35,485.
Team Wittus put their success down to fishing white spinnerbaits and weightless flukes in dark colours like black and June bug at the main lake points, as well as bays with drop-offs nearby.
Second-place finishers, team Burn caught most of their day-one bag on damiki leeches and spinnerbaits in four to six feet of water in spawning areas. On day two they switched to top-water frogs and jigs targeting bedding bass.
Team Bucket Mouth, who finished the tournament in third position, boated most of their fish on the first day on strike-king spinnerbaits, and changed tactics on day two where a top-water zara spook did most of their damage in the calmer conditions.
“A massive thank you to all the anglers who have improved the LBT and helped it grow by dependably attending the tournaments throughout the year, and also to all of the loyal sponsors who have generously supported the LBT and its anglers. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2017,” said Michael Cronje of Angling & Outdoor World.
Results after the final round (limit of 10 fish caught, only top 15 teams)
1. Wittus Angling – 35,485 points
2. Burn – 32,59
3. Bucket Mouth – 30,945
4. Thermocline – 30,315
5. Imbongolo – 29,585
6. Rugged – 29,27
7. Ambassadors – 29,2
8. Bass Bangers – 28,81
9. Midas Sport – 28,15
10. Fish Eagle – 28,005
11. Angling & Outdoor World – 27,29
12. Hazyview Midas – 26,195
13. Osprey – 24,955
14. Brayshaw Filtration – 24,915
15. Alligators – 23,755.
