The Lowveld and Escarpment has, by virtue of its many hospitable stretches of water, become a paradise for bass fishermen.

Black bass were first introduced to South African waters in the 1920s, when the first large-mouth bass were imported to the country from the Netherlands. Small-mouth bass were introduced in the late 1930s and their descendants have thrived and spread.

LBT: Anglers head out to De Hoop for last round of competition

The province now probably boasts the highest number of bass (especially large-mouth) in the country. It is a region of great contrast, from the industrialised west, cool mountain streams around Dullstroom and sweltering African bush in the Lowveld bordering the Kruger National Park and Mozambique.

With the Lowveld and its year-round warm climate, many anglers have made the area their playground. Driekoppies and Vygeboom dams are the most sought after, producing hawgs well over three kilograms, but the majority agree that Driekoppies is the bass fishing dam of the region, especially this time of year.

September, October and November are spring months and the weather is warm and pleasant. This means dawn temperatures of 11 degrees Celsius and 26 during the day, but this season so far the mercury has risen to well over 30. This is not only warm and pleasant, but ideal for fishing, as pre-spawning has commenced in most dams.

Generally the pre-spawn in SA will begin around late August through early September, but bass will spawn much earlier in this region due to its climate.

If you start looking for water temperatures from around 15 degree Celsius and rising as the days progress with stable conditions, to around the 16,5 mark, then this could be a good indication that bass will be on the move, with anything between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius usually being ideal spawning temperatures.

Both males and females are susceptible to bait during pre-spawn, being quite hungry after the winter phase. Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits or Texas rigged creatures, lizards, frogs or crawfish imitations can all be productive during this phase. Watermelon red flukes have proven to be very successful too, especially at Witklip. Staging females in deeper water can also be goaded with Carolinas, drop shot rigs or deep diving crankbaits.