Here are some bass fishing tips if you are looking for advice on how to catch this aggressive fish in South Africa. This advice will help with a better understanding on what equipment and techniques you can use when fishing for bass.
These bass fishing tips in South Africa include:
- Bass fishing spots and dams
- New bass fishing techniques
- Bass fishing boats
- Bass fishing equipment
- Best bass fishing lures
- Bass fishing in Gauteng
Among some good bass fishing advice include the angler getting to know what kind of diet these beautiful fish regularly eat.
Smaller bait fish, crustaceans such as freshwater crabs, insects, frogs, minnows and other bream species are on the menu for the most part.
So using baits to replicate these should prove successful.
Smallmouth bass are territorial fish and harbor in deep holes and rocky banks.
They also like the confines of river systems. Where they hide in eddies and overhanging bank structures. Lying in wait to ambush the many bait fish that swim through the areas.
Bass Fishing Spots and Dams
Common areas to find bass in frequent numbers and of a good size is in and around the Western Cape.
Clanwilliam Dam, Bulshoek Dam and Kwaggaskloof Dam/Brandvlei are among the best places to try your luck.
Having said that, Mooi River in KwaZulu Natal has a fair amount of smallmouths. As does the Craigieburn Dam near the town of Mooi River.
The Eastern Cape has some small bass and the Ebeneezer Dam in Limpopo province has been known for having some good smallie action.
This may also interest you: 5 Useful Tips for Carp Fishing
Bass Fishing Techniques
Spinners and spinnerbaits are commonly used to catch bass. But it is important to try a variety to find the ones that work for you and the river or dam in which you are angling.
Largemouths are caught regularly on the popular range of plastic baits found at your local fishing shop. Or fishing shops in the area you are visiting.
Both the largemouth and the smallmouth are exciting fish to catch due to their aggressive nature. They put up a decent fight which gets the adrenaline pumping!
There are different techniques that you can look at to catch bass.
Including strobe fishing where you use lights to attract the fish. Then there is the fantastic walking worm which is artificial, but moves like a real worm. With its “secrete energy recoil action”.
Kicktail is a type of bait that’s used as a technique for bass fishing and is said to work very well.
Experiment with spinners, live baits and plastic replica’s. And use the various bass fishing tips to help you land your next catch.
Bass Fishing Boats
Bass fishing boats are specifically designed to enhance the fishing experience. Particularly for targeting bass in freshwater environments.
Here are some features of bass fishing boats to consider:
Key Features of Bass Fishing Boats
- Shallow Draft: Allows the boat to navigate shallow waters where bass are often found.
- Casting Decks: Spacious decks at the front and back for casting and reeling in fish.
- Trolling Motor: Quiet electric motor for slow, stealthy movement without disturbing fish.
- Livewells: Built-in tanks to keep caught fish alive.
- Storage Compartments: Ample storage for rods, tackle, and other fishing gear.
- High-Performance Engines: Designed for quick navigation to fishing spots.
Bass Fishing Equipment
Bass fishing equipment can be bought online at Gumtree and auction sites like Bidorbuy. Which is always a good starting point to buy fishing tackle as a beginner.
Equipment includes bass fishing rods and reels which when purchased new at tackle shops could cost you quite a bit.
Fishing rods and reels are the first things you should think of buying when starting out and are looking for bass fishing equipment for sale.
Whether you are new to the sport of Bass fishing or just simply adding to you collection, the items available can add to any collection.
Anything else you may need to get you started you will find easily available on Gumtree, Bidorbuy or at any fishing tackle shops.
Advice or questions on bass fishing equipment can be dealt with by an expert at your local tackle store.
The Johannesburg and Cape Town areas in South Africa are both very popular Bass and fly fishing destinations.
There are websites that will inform you of the best fishing spots that are available as well as what rules and regulations to abide by in certain areas.
In addition there are tackle shops in these locations which have the proper equipment for sale to catch bass. As well as places where the equipment you require for bass fishing will be available to rent.
Best Bass Lures for Catching Bass
Find out the best bass lures for catching bass so that when you go out fishing in one of the dams you have a better chance of catching.
In South Africa there are freshwater rivers and bass fishing dams that you can visit. So make sure that you have your fishing tackle and all the bait you need.
There are things for you to look at when you’re looking for the best bass lures for catching bass. Plastic worms are probably one of the greatest.
They are not as advanced as walking worms, but they still work really well.
Kicktail is also one of the best lures to use when you are bass fishing, so keep that in mind when you are heading out to the dam again.
Strobe lights are an option too, along with spinnerbaits, jig and pig and crankbaits.
Bass fishing is much easier when you make use of good fishing tackle and use the techniques that have been recommended. Especially when you are a beginner.
It doesn’t matter where in South Africa you are, you are sure to be in a place where there are rivers and dams.
So make sure you take some time out to visit one of these areas so that you can experience bass fishing at its best.
There are so many types of lures for catching bass that you can choose from. So you have to decide which of them you want to try and take it from there.
Bass Fishing in Gauteng
Bass fishing in Gauteng is very popular close to the city. Visitors from outside of Johannesburg come to fish in the freshwater dams and lakes. As well as people from Pretoria and other cities in the country.
If you aren’t used to bass fishing, you might find the above tips and advice useful. The most important tip being the time that you are out on the water.
Because the time when you are likely to catch the biggest bass are at dawn and dusk. Considering that you use the right bait of course!
To catch small bass fish, you could use hellgrammite as bait as it tends to work rather well in Gauteng.
You can get bait at one of the tackle shops if you don’t have anything at home that you can use. There are plenty of tackle shops in the areas of Pretoria and Johannesburg that you can visit when bass fishing in Gauteng.
Bass are found in dams and lakes as they are freshwater fishes. So either you have to go out on a boat, or try from the riverbank. But you will have more luck from a boat.
Make sure that you have all of your fishing equipment ready. In addition spare line, bait and tackle on the boat. So that if you lose something overboard you don’t have to go back to the store.
You can find some useful information from the South African Bass Angling Association (SABAA) – Visit their website.
To Summarize
These tips and advice are good to follow when you want to find out more about bass fishing in South Africa.
But even with all the information you can get you still have to be able to perform out on the water in order for you to catch something.
You don’t have to be an expert to catch bass. Because this will come with time and practice.
So for a beginner a good tip is to see if someone you know who is experienced can accompany you for the first time.
If you are a beginner this may interest you: Fishing Tips For Beginners – Hooks and Line