Bass anglers dive in for a good cause at Vygeboom Dam

The anglers of the Small Craft Bass League Lowveld, the Lowveld Bass Trails (LBT) and the Lowveld Largemouth Series united in competition for a good cause at Vygeboom Dam on Saturday.

A bass-fishing competition was held to raise funds for the Mpumalanga Police Diving Unit and the Kurper Project.

The project stocks dams with the species, maintains and cuts grass at boat launch areas, and builds launch areas at dams which do not have them.

The LBT hosted a fantastic fundraiser, with 30 boats, 16 of which were small crafts.

“Thanks to each angler that fished for a great cause. The LBT is proud to share that they raised a substantial amount for the SAPS diving team. These funds will support their vital work in patrolling and protecting our local waters. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this great cause,” said the LBT on its Facebook page.

“We appreciate everything LBT does for us. It is awesome to work with people who appreciate us and that we appreciate. They assist us in removing illegal nets from dams. We will be working together a lot more in the future. Thank you to the LBT and all the other participants and role players of the competition,” said Captain Pottie Potgieter of the diving unit.

The competition worked on the basis of a five-fish bag per team with the total length of caught bass being the criteria for judging.

DST Lowveld won the charity event with a bag of 192cm. Thermocline were second with a measured bag of 175.5cm, and Geld Wassery claimed third place with 172.5cm.

Felicity Carey won the women’s competition and Ninette Roos was second.

The junior competition winners were Dean Geldenhuys and Simon Rossouw.

The longest fish of the day, at 47.5cm, was hooked by Hannes van Wyk.