Lowveld Bass Trail casts off at Kwena Dam for 2025 season
The largest fish caught on the day was by Craig Hearne at an impressive 3.8kg.
The Lowveld Bass Trail (LBT) has successfully got its year under way with the first event held at the Kwena Dam on February 1.
LBT hosts a series of eight monthly fishing days and competitions throughout the Lowveld, which ultimately culminates in the SABAA Team Tournament Trail finals at the end of the year.
For eligibility to take part in the SABAA TTT each team’s top six results from the eight LBT days are taken into consideration.
Anglers from all corners of the Lowveld descended on the Kwena Dam outside Lydenburg to cast their lines and stake their claim during the first of the LBT days. In spite of early concerns about the dam’s water levels, good rains in the month preceding the competition ensured there was water aplenty.
The boats set off from the shoreline at 06:00, bright and early, with each pair of anglers itching to come out on top. It turned out to be a long, yet great and fruitful day out on the water for the various teams. After the final fish was caught and weighed it was team Wittus Angling, made up of André Whitfield and Craig Hearne, who emerged as victors with a total bag weight of 7.45kg and 13.45 total points from five fish.
Fish On Africa’s Morné and Jaco Strauss finished second with a weight of 6.77kg and 12.77 points. Piet van Dyk and Jacques Viljoen of the Novasun Bass team rounded out the podium with 6.61kg and 12.61 points. Hearne managed to haul in the largest fish of the day, a healthy 3.8kg.
The top teams of the day:
1. Wittus Angling – André Whitfield and Craig Hearne: 7.45kg/13.45 points
2. Fish on Africa – Morné and Jaco Strauss: 6.77kg/12.77 points
3. Novasun Bass – Piet van Dyk and Jacques Viljoen: 6.61kg/12.61 points
4. DST Dominate – Jacko Kannemeyer and Niel Deysel: 6.47kg/12.47 points
5. Bass Bling – Daryl and Carter Mckenzie: 5.41kg/11.41 points
6. Thermocline – Herman and Dean Geldenhuys: 5.33kg/11.33 points
7. Get the Net – Inus Janse van Rensburg and Lee Swan: 5.15kg/11.15 points
8. Wicked Bass – Petrus and Jacobus Alberts: 4.77kg/10.77 points
9. Bass World Venom – Wiehann Raath and Wynand Potgieter: 4.35kg/10.35 points
10. Subaru Nelspruit – Danie Stassen and Brian Wilkinson: 4.31kg/10.31 points.
