MakhuluBass

Great stuff and I'm also glad he is a gentleman despite all the fame. My son must be one of the biggest KVD fans EVER!! His name is Cameron and even calls himself Cam van Dam. Come on Kevin baby, come and visit sunny South Africa....PLEASE!!!

I just want to find out if anyone has used the DT 20 yet? I have picked up a couple that have just arrived at our local tackle store and can't wait to throw them this week end.

I use that type of rig very often, but use a sliding mojo sinker with a stopper about 10 - 15 inches before the hook.

With summer in full force, I am looking at targeting bass in the 20+ft range on crank. What cranks are available that reach this depth other than: 1) DD22 2) Strike King series 6 3) Mann's 20 & 30+ 4) Jackall 15+ 5)Poe's 4500 :-/

I am really amazed that the topic hardly got anyone hot under the collar - over here we would have had a full on forum war. Obviously this is not really as contentious an issue in the states. Thanks for the input guys. Tight lines.... 8-)

In South Africa, applicable to some of our "money" and BASS affiliated competitions, we have a rule that states no trolling using the main motor is allowed. To circumvent this ruling, a competitor made use of a auxillary 4 stroke motor as he prefers this method. Due to a number of complaints from fellow anglers, this competitor makes use of two electric motors to (s)troll. This is barely tolerated by organisers, and does not break any of the related rules. This competitor normally trolls a crankbait at 2-3 mph 50ft behind his boat. My questions relate to the above: 1) Is trolling permitted in money or BASS competitions in the States? 2) Is dragging a carolina rigged plastic along whilst under electric motor power viewed as trolling? 3) In your opinion, do anglers who troll have an advantage over the more conventional cast and retrieve methods. This issue has caused some heated debate amongst our local bass angling fraternity and I would appreciate your opions.

Hi All, I currently run a 16ft bass boat with a 2006 Merc 115 hp two stroke swinging a 20 pitch Lazer II ss prop. I hit 46 mph gps at 5700 rpm. The rev limiter just starts kicking in at wot, so I am slightly under propped. I have been able to source a 20 pitch high 5 prop and would like to know what I could expect? SA dealers do not let you test props before purchase I'm afraid.

Hi Guys, Thanks for the input so far. I installed a hydrofoil last week end and to be honest, only a little improvement was evident. Am considering trim tab option but will have to see if I can import from the states as they are not available locally. Oh by the way, FOR SALE/TO SWOP x1 wife, 1974 model, wide body, great washer and ironer, reasonable mileage for $ 150-00 or to swop for set of trim tabs. ;D

My new boat has a tendency to porpoise at medium to low speeds, although does go away when I trim down further, but feel that riding the way is not optimal as too much of the hull is in the water. I have repositioned batteries & fuel tanks and have been able to minimise the effect, however I do not want to just accept the porpoising because it's a bass boat. I wanted to know the following: - Will installing a hydrofoil limit the porpoising? - Will installing a jack plate compound the problem Loosing a couple of mph is not a big issue as I am after ride comfort. Boat details - 16ft, +- 1600lb's, Merc 115 Smart tabs would be the ideal solution but the cost ($ 150 vs $ 50 for a hydrofoil) is an issue. Tx in advance.

I would start off trying to target the active/agressive fish first. Topwater (if conditions are suitable) and crankbait, would be the first lures I throw. I would target some kind of structure, visible or noted on sonar. When I land the first fish, I try and note depth, water temp, structure type and how the lure was taken, softly or agressively. If soft, I would change colour. I would then slow down at the spot where the first fish was caught and fish a mojo fluke or senko. If I catch another one at the same spot, then I would look for a similar area with same structure and fish the same lures. If that fails, just enjoy being on the water & outdoors.

I would use dark plastics and have also had some good success using a black crankbait with a loud rattle.

The dam is called Inanda, which is situated in Kwa Zulu Natal, SA. Lots of 8 - 11 pounders. I test drove the boat there before taking delivery. As it stands there with finders/gps & trolling motor it has cost me around R 110 000-00. Rand/Dollar conversion at roughly R 7-20/ 1$ equates to $ 15 300-00

Took delivery of my new 16 footer on Friday last week. The boat is a Bass Sprit with a 115 Merc. I am in love........ Handles the rough water I fish like a dream. Just need to fill the livewell with lunker bass

Here is South Africa, most if not all our bass waters have carp. Both fish compliment each other in the food chain, bass eat carp fry and carp vacuum the bass nests after spawn. Alot of success can be had with yellow/gold coloured lures and watermelon gold flake flukes seem to produce across the board. Carp angling is most probably the most practiced and popular form of inland fishing in SA.

The river I fish has a lot of laydowns and the water is also stained. I usually rig one rod with either a light or dark medium running crank and the other with a 1/4 ounce chart & black spinner bait with a single #4 brass colorado blade. I would first target the stump with the medium crank. The reason for the medium crank and not a shallow one is that I want the crank to hit into anything and everything with a slow retrieve. If you feel the crank hanging up, just pause a second or two to let it float up past the obstruction. If after numerous casts to the same stump from different angles and no bites, I would then switch to the spinnerbait rod. I would pitch ontop of, next to and inbetween any branches I locate and let the single bladed spinnerbait "helicopter" to the bottom. If not hit on the fall, a steady retrieve back should do the trick. This is great for targeting active fish. If I land one or two using the techniques above and the bite stops, I would then pitch a T rigged fluke or senko and cover the whole area. Atleast I know that when I leave the spot, I have reasonably fished the spot comprehensivley.