The Lowveld Open Bass Trail (LBT) kicks off its first leg of the year at Nyaka Dam on February 2.

The event has grown tremendously with over 78 teams competing last year.

Team Keep on Fishing, Kevin Lincoln and Peter McCullough, emerged as the 2018 Lowveld Bass Trail (LBT) champions. Of the 78 teams, the top 21 were invited to compete in the final event which was held at Kwena Dam.

Lincoln and McCullough weighed in a 7,61 and 6,22-kilogram bag limit on the Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The LBT is a well-run tournament with rules and regulations in place to protect the anglers as well as the fish, but still has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, catering for the serious competitors and for those who just want to get out on the water.

The Lowveld Bass Trail 2019 schedule will consist of eight competitions as well as a final.
• 2 February: Inyaka Dam 06:00 – 15:00
• 2 March: Vygeboom Dam 06:00 – 15:00
• 6 April: Nooitgedacht Dam 06:00 – 15:00
• 4 May: Driekoppies Dam 07:00 – 15:00
• 1 June: Vygeboom Dam 07:00 – 15:00
• 6 July: Driekoppies Dam 07:00 – 15:00
• 3 August: Inyaka Dam 07:00 – 15:00
• 7 September: De Hoop Dam 06:00 – 15:00

The venue of the final, which will take place from October 5 to 7 from 06:00 to 16:00 and 06:00 to 13:00, is yet to be announced.
Pre-entry for the entire season is possible. Teams must use the team registration form, which includes banking details.
Completed registration forms and proof of payment must be sent to the LBT administration before 31 January.

Costs for pre-entry is R4 000. Pre-entry fees are non-refundable. Late entries are to pay the full entry fee of R500 per team and complete the entry forms at the weigh-in station before launching.
The SABAA Team Tournament Trail final, that was first held in 2017, will be be held at Heyshope Dam. The competition was quickly nicknamed the Super Final, comprising the largest cast for cash tournament trails in South Africa, competing head-to- head to crown the 2017 Champion Trail.

LBT, together with Gauteng’s EBASS, Mpumalanga’s Angler4Anglers and KZN’s Joey’s Towing Trails, competed in the 2017 Super final.
The hosting last year was allocated to the Angler4Anglers Trail in Mpumalanga and 14 LBT teams represented the LBT at De Hoop Dam in November 2018. LBT placed as runner-up for the second consecutive year.

The LBT will once again be represented by the top LBT teams at the 2019 Super final, which shall be hosted by LBT. It is predicted that 10 teams from the LBT will be nominated to represent them, although this number is subject to change.

Only anglers registered with SABAA and Bassmasters will be eligible for an invitation and competing in the 2019 SABAA TTT Final. All anglers take full responsibility to register with SABAA and Bassmasters and to ensure membership is up to date and active at all times.

Registration can be made through weighmasters.net.