Bass Fishing South Africa

[SeanRSA]

I’m from South Africa. We have a bass tournament coming up soon and I am struggling to identify some key areas to focus on below is a link to the contour map.

It is summer here expecting 24-30 degree Celsius weather 

Overcast conditions for most of the day with little wind.

we may only fish the southern bank and are not able to cross over.

The lake is currently at 100% and is not expected to change in the next two weeks.

Predominant bait fish is tilapia and no shad.

water clarity is slightly stained

 

Any thoughts on which areas I should be focusing in on
 

Contour Map

[Deleted account]

Please tell me you aren't royalty there and need help cashing the tournament winnings before I click the link...

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, Deleted account said:

Please tell me you aren't royalty there and need help cashing the tournament winnings before I click the link...

I checked the link, it's a legit surface map.

[PhishLI]

5 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I checked the link, it's a legit surface map.

You're a brave man. My spidey-sense told me no clicky the linky.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

You're a brave man. My spidey-sense told me no clicky the linky.

I just hovered over it and looked at the web-address...looked fine so I clicked...good contour map of the lake and that's all.

 

7 hours ago, SeanRSA said:

Any thoughts on which areas I should be focusing in on

It's just past mid-summer there and that's a big/deep lake - so I'd look at drop-offs near shallower water especially in or close to one of those many coves.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

You're a brave man. My spidey-sense told me no clicky the linky.

Not really brave, just informed.  All new members' posts are all approved by a mod, so you can be sure they're already vetted by us.  So, anyone want to take a stab at the original question?

[WRB]

Before I waste a lot of time you stated the “south” shore is off limits. Looking at the dam I assume the right side is east, is that the “south” side? 

The map is in 7’ elevation increments, right?

I like to start looking at maps starting at the dam and working my way around. One more question, is the dame built for water storage/flood control or power generation?

Up on the west or left side from the dam you find a long underwater point in the lighter blue color zone with a saddle and hump around 20’-27’. This imo is where the big bass will be located. With that in mind study the map for similar topography.

Tilapia like to suspend in flooded trees or brush that grow Moss, they are green vegetation eaters. 

From what I recall S.Africa bass like big worms in red/blue colors. We call this combo Fire & Ice or tequila sunrise. I would try 9”-10” Max scent Berkeley Power worms or similar T-rigged with sliding bullet weight and what we call Blue gill color 1/2-3/4 oz jig w/ 4” Berkley Chigger craw green pumpkin black flake.

Tom

[Big Hands]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

One more question, is the dame built for water storage/flood control or power generation?

From that paragon of true facts, Wikipedia: "Inanda Dam is an earth-fill type dam located on the Mgeni River . . . . It was established in 1989 and it's primary purpose is to serve for domestic and industrial use."

 

No mention of any power generation taking place.

 

Looks to cover about 3,600 surface acres when full. 

 

Lots of hyacinth present. Post spawn conditions.

[WRB]

Thanks, It’s a water storage reservoir without dam generation current. I will stay with my other questions and structure elements. My guess is a summer thermocline sets up around 30 feet and holding areas between 25-30 feet is where would start.

Tom

[SeanRSA]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

Before I waste a lot of time you stated the “south” shore is off limits. Looking at the dam I assume the right side is east, is that the “south” side? 

The map is in 7’ elevation increments, right?

I like to start looking at maps starting at the dam and working my way around. One more question, is the dame built for water storage/flood control or power generation?

Up on the west or left side from the dam you find a long underwater point in the lighter blue color zone with a saddle and hump around 20’-27’. This imo is where the big bass will be located. With that in mind study the map for similar topography.

Tilapia like to suspend in flooded trees or brush that grow Moss, they are green vegetation eaters. 

From what I recall S.Africa bass like big worms in red/blue colors. We call this combo Fire & Ice or tequila sunrise. I would try 9”-10” Max scent Berkeley Power worms or similar T-rigged with sliding bullet weight and what we call Blue gill color 1/2-3/4 oz jig w/ 4” Berkley Chigger craw green pumpkin black flake.

Tom

Thanks Tom

we may only fish the Southern bank. That hump is heavily pressured generally but will definitely make some time to head out there.

[Catt]

On 1/4/2022 at 1:56 AM, SeanRSA said:

we may only fish the southern bank and are not able to cross over.

 

Y'all fishing bank or boat?

 

[SeanRSA]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Y'all fishing bank or boat?

 

Kickboat

[WRB]

16 hours ago, SeanRSA said:

Thanks Tom

we may only fish the Southern bank. That hump is heavily pressured generally but will definitely make some time to head out there.

I was pointing out structure elements that LMB prefer everywhere. I know it’s obvious, I want you to look for small areas in the 15’ to 25’ depth range drop off on both sides with a flat area about the size of the hump. These smaller isolated flat areas are real jewels that bass use to feed on.

A good example is up the lake where a round point the the face drops off sharply and a flat area just south and north near where 3 rectangular blocks on the map ( buildings?)

Tom

[Catt]

7 hours ago, SeanRSA said:

Kickboat

 

Y'all dealing with a lot of Water Hyacinth.

 

Secret; don't fish the hyacinth, fish the structure under it.

 

Structure is the cake, hyacinth (cover) is the icing!

[schplurg]

On 1/4/2022 at 6:55 AM, PhishLI said:

You're a brave man. My spidey-sense told me no clicky the linky.

South Africa is not Nigeria guys.

[PhishLI]

7 hours ago, schplurg said:

South Africa is not Nigeria guys.

OK! Then I nominate you for official Link Clicker/Food Taster. Congratulations?

[HaydenS]

I’m with Tom, go find some deeper water, if you can find brushpiles fish them too with a 10 inch worm.  Of course I’ve never even been out of the US, so what do I know about fishing South Africa... lol

[ironbjorn]

Outside of North America, we have bass fishing in Japan, South Africa, Italy... anywhere else?

[J Francho]

19 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

Outside of North America, we have bass fishing in Japan, South Africa, Italy... anywhere else?

 

Their current range includes the U.S., South Africa, Europe, Guam, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and the Philippines., according to Florida Museum.

[Finessegenics]

32 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

Outside of North America, we have bass fishing in Japan, South Africa, Italy... anywhere else?

I know bass fishing is pretty popular in Spain and Portugal as they are apparently numerous there. I’ve also seen a lot of Croatian anglers online on  bass fishing forums and such so they must be pretty widespread there too. 
 

edit: forget Zimbabwe too, there are some giants that have been caught there. 

[Gera]

What kind of bass you can fish over there??? what about size?? share some pics!!!