New tides for APL in 2017
At the start of the new season, these Angling Professional League (APL) affiliates decided to release some members to join the newly-formed Ladysmith Angling Club.
The current season has been a unique one for both Breakwaters and Stillwaters.
At the start of the new season, these Angling Professional League (APL) affiliates decided to release some members to join the newly-formed Ladysmith Angling Club.
This was done in the view of growing the APL.
However, this also meant Breakwaters and Stillwaters would undergo a rebuilding phase, and struggled to field the full contingent of 25 members.
Despite this challenge, both clubs have done exceptionally well in the season.
Breakwaters remains atop the VME League standings with 36 points, followed by Stillwaters on 28 points, Ladysmith on 24, Challengers on 23 and Dannhauser on seven.
Internally, the clubs have fared just as well.
In the Internal Knock Out Singles for Breakwaters, Fanie Els is set to fish off against Ossie Oosthuizen, while Martin Joseph and Mark Ince compete for Stillwaters.
The Doubles finals will see Fanie and Bobby Ramkelawan of Breakwaters face Mark and Anil Boodhoo, an interesting duel from any angle.
In terms of title contenders, there are many to single out.
Vernon Naidoo leads the chase for the Heaviest Scaled Fish, Sikander Amod currently holds the Heaviest Non-Scaled Fish and the title of Heaviest Scaly rests with Thasheel Rooplal.
Suvyn Budhoo’s rare catch of a one-kilogram bass should see him to a prize.
Fanie Els is looking ahead to the titles of Most Fish Caught and Angler of the Year, while Albert van Niekerk’s 40 points in League Four could see him as the Highest Point Scorer.
The Lady Angler of the Year could just be Veruschka Boodhoo with 20 total points.
Young Mohamed Sheik is in the running for the Junior Angler of the Year crown, and Kidd Rampersadh could well be the Senior Angler of the Year.
Many other titles are also being vied for.
Representatives of the clubs said the Angler of the Year title remains hotly contested, as Fanie only leads by three points.
Anil Boodhoo is positioned well in second place.
The remaining three contenders for the coveted title are Albert van Niekerk, Mark Ince and Kaveer Singh – the latter took the title last season.
“The future competitions are bound to be fiercely contested as members try to stake their claim.”
The next fixture for Breakwaters is the social overnight outing at Zones D and E on January 7, followed by the second round of the Champion of Champion.
This is set for January 29 at Sandford.
