At 6am on Saturday 18th
May, Craig, my Dad, Dale and I launched out of Granny’s Pool. We were competing
in the 2013 Umhlanga Prestige Interclub. This was the 5th year in a
row that we attended the competition and in my opinion is the best interclub in
the country. As defending champions we had high hopes that the fish would play
the game again.
We were the first boat to launch
and had about a 30 minute wait on the backline before the first batch of 10
boats were ready to go. All the boats sped off to the various bait spots. Craig
suggested we stop at the Cason as there had been more bait there in the last
few days. All the boats battled to get a good amount of live bait but
eventually, by the time the second batch of 9 boats were let loose, had a
decent supply in the live well.
The plan was to look for a
queenfish, yellowfin or bonito on the bait marks as they scored more points
than a cuda or other gamefish. We made 2 drifts, but had no pulls. I decreased
the size of the leader on the surface bait and on the next drift, that rod had
a strike. I took the rod and fought a big bonito to the boat. Our first points
on the board. The problem was that we were only allowed 1 bonito per angler per
day, minimum weight of 6kg. If there were more bonnies, then Dale or my Dad
would have to get them... but what if the next pull was not a bonnie?! The next
drift produced another strike on the surface and my Dad brought in a bonnie
which was too small weigh. The next drift produced a double strike. One on the
deep line and the other on the surface. Unfortunately Dale got an overwind on
the strike and missed his fish. My Dad went tight and the fish ripped line off
the reel... obviously a yellowfin. With the massively high number of sharks in
the area, we had to pull every fish as hard as humanly possible. After 20mins
of huge pressure on the yellowfin and some fancy boat manoeuvring, the fish was
just under the boat, but then there was a short burst of speed and the 50lbs
flouro parted. Whether it was chafed off or if a shark got it, who knows, but
the same result... no points. Apart from 1 more small bonnie, we had no action
and decided to move out to bulldozers.
On the first drift, I hooked a 4kg
bonnie but pulled hook on the leader. Seconds later, 2 rods went away and both
Dale and my Dad went on to big bonnies which joined mine in the hatch... now I
could take a rod again! Our stock of maasbanker was now low so Craig held us on
the marks and we managed to get 8 or so fresh baits.
There was no action on the next 2
drifts so Craig took us to Fontao where we set up for a drift. At the end of
the drift, both Dale and I went tight on good fish. They ran in a similar direction,
but when mine gave a few big bumps, I knew there were problems. Moments later,
a shark grabbed the fish, followed shortly by Dales fish! The next drift, Dale
went on and managed a small bonnie. We had time for 1 last drift before lines
up. Again, 2 rods went away and after hard fights, both were taken by #%$#&
sharks...
Back at the weigh-in, we found
ourselves in 5th position on day 1 after weighing in 3 bonnies of between
6,7kg and 7,5kg.
On Sunday 19th, we
launched at 7am. As we had launched first on day 1, we were in the second batch
on day 2. By the time we arrived at the bait marks, there was a lot of traffic.
Everyone was battling for bait and only after an hour, did we have enough. We
made 2 drifts over the wreck without a pull. Craig said we needed to change
tactics and head to a deeper spot of Umdloti. After a quick test drift to get
the correct line, we went back up and set the lines. After about 30minutes, the
long rod with mid water bait keeled over and the reel smoked off! I took the strike
and fought what turned out to be a big yellowfin. The long rod had my back
aching and after about 20 minutes, the fish was close to the boat but then it
bumped its head and took off. Seconds later, the leader was bitten through but another
#@$%& shark.
We started the drift again and I
changed the long rod to the surface position. Again, near the end of the drift,
the mid water bait took off. The lines were cleared and Craig took chase. I was
a lot more comfortable on the short heavy rod and lifted the fish a bit
quicker. About 10m from the boat, the dreaded head nod began so I freespooled
the fish which took about 100m of line before it settled down. The drag went up
and I wound till my arm wanted to fall off. The line surfaced and Craig put me
on top of the fish where after 3 big circles, my Dad gaffed a nice yellowfin!
Finally we got one out.
Back to the start of the drift
and it was not long before the surface bait (on the long rod) went away. It
took a lot of line in a hurry so we were up and after it in no time. I lifted
it to within about 15m from the surface when believe it or not, the head bumps
began. I freespooled and again gave the fish over 100m until it slowed down.
The drag went up and the long wind began. Luckily, the fish came to the surface
and made it easy for me to gain line. Craig sped towards it and the leader came
out the water. After 1 circle, the gaff went into a good yellowfin. We were
cooking with gas.
By now the wind was blowing about
15knots and the sea getting uncomfortable. 5 other boats had joined us and it
seemed to be putting the tune down. Right at the end of our next drift, the
surface rod pulled away slowly in short bursts. I fed the fish and as I
tightened up, a dorado jumped out the water. I was over the moon as this was
going to be an easy fight on the long rod... or so I thought. The lines were
cleared and Craig took chase. Within minutes, the fish was in gaffing range and
my Dad brought it onboard. It touched the deck and went ballistic, jumping off
the gaff. As the fish jumped to the back of the boat I freespooled the reel
just incase. Dale and Craig jumped on the fish and in the process got tangled
in the bait jigs. The fish made another flip and escaped overboard, back into
the water where it took off! Luckily I could let it go and the line ran free.
After some choice words, we were chasing after the fish for a second time. In
the end, it was gaffed and put straight into the open hatch. That was a close
call.
Craig positioned us for another
drift. It went very quiet and at the end, while Dale was retrieving the last
deep line, had quietly announced that he was on. The fish took line very slowly
leading us to believe it was a shark. The drag went to 3,5kg and in low range
he pulled the fish to the surface. I removed the sinker and then Craig shouted
it was a cuda! We could not believe it. Both my Dad and I took gaffs and on the
first turn my Dad missed the fish as it was a bit deep. On the next turn, I missed
it and managed to get the hook around the tail which shook off. On my next
attempt, the gaff went in and I hauled a nice cuda on board... Great stuff.
There was no more time, so we
headed back to the beach. At the weigh-in, the dorado was 8kg, the cuda 12,5kg
and the 2 tuna were 13.2kg and 18.65kg respectively. At the prize giving that
night, we managed a second place by only 60 points. Thanks to Craig for putting
up with us for 2 days. Well done to the winning Zinkwazi 2 team. Thanks to the
Umhlanga Committee for putting together a Fantastic event. We hope to be there
next year.
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