Lowveld Bass Trail (LBT) recently hosted the South African Bass Angling Association’s (SABAA) Team Tournament Trail finals at Injaka Dam, the most prestigious event on the SABAA calendar, where they won the national title for the first time ever.

The two-day tournament was well supported and teams from all over South Africa participated. There were close to 60 boats that converged on Injaka Dam on the practice day, November 7.

The event was officially opened that evening by the executive mayor of Bushbuckridge, Cllr Matlanatso Lydia Moroane, at the Kruger Park Lodge. Dignitaries from various stakeholders attended the event and were introduced to the sport.

Early the morning, November 8, the 60 boats got the green light and Injaka Dam turned into a fishing playground. LBT ended up victorious after the final day’s fishing. It is the first time in LBT’s history that they have won this annual national event.

Father-and-son duo, Garmin MC, which is made up of Craig and James Stephen, managed a very good second place, outfishing many Protea anglers who are held in high esteem in South Africa. In the final results, LBT’s bag weight of 50.86kg was enough to get them well clear of the rest of the teams.

Team Ebass finished second with a bag weight of 38.76kg, while the Joey’s Towing Tournament Trail team finished third with a bag weight of 32.23kg.

The SABAA Team Tournament Trail finals also offer an opportunity to anglers to gain Protea colours for fishing. “The Lowveld wishes these anglers all the best in their respective tournaments against other countries,” said LBT’s Greg Loock.

LBT is proud to announce that the following anglers have been nominated to receive their Protea colours:
• Wade Lottering and Waldo Greeff*
• Morné and Jaco Strauss*
• André and Phillip Whitfield
• Charl Carey and Hannes van Wyk.

The following anglers received president’s nominations:
• Craig and James Stephen
• Francois Nel and Martin van Wyk
• Ian van Rooyen and Biagio Cicione.
* These anglers also received president’s nominations.