evertb
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Good Day All
So each year we do our annual trip to Cahora Bassa in Mozambique for some Tiger Fishing.
Tow the boat all the way from South Africa to Mozambique 1650km we do in 20-22 Hours depending on the Border Posts. A friend of mine has a house next to the dam so we can do as we please, for a good 2 weeks Holiday.
So last year we decided to pack the tent and do an exploring trip to the west of the dam. Just an indication the dam is 230km long ( 145miles). We did a 2 day trip to the west, but the water was a bit rough and couldn't fish all the good spots in the main lake. Will certainly go back and do it again even though it was 40 degrees Celsius each day
After our camping trip we went back to the house and spend the rest of the days there.
During December to February the tigers start moving up in the rivers for the spawn period. During this time the males and the big females are mixed up, making you chances to hook a monster even greater.
So between the four of us we landed around 100+ Tigers in the 2 weeks.
There is just something about Tiger Fishing if you can imagine a Large Mouth Bass fight times that by 10 then you get to the Tigers fighting ability.
Our landing rate was about 20-33% of all the hook ups we had, there mouths are just to boney to set the hook probably.
The gear we used was:
Heavy Rods (7-8ft)
Reliable Shimano Reels for Spinning Size 4000-5000
40-50lb Braid
Big Spinners
So all and all our biggest for the trip was 6.5kg
Here is some more photos
One of the biggest problems in the area is Gill Netting.
All the locals live next to dam do netting for fish and I mean some of these nets are 200-300m long, their main target species are Breams but they do catch everything in these nets.
90% of all the Tigers we caught had some gill nets around them, even the Crocodiles have some nets around them.
There is no Policing of these nets as the officials doesn't have the resources to conduct the policing of these nets, so its just a free for all.
The Tiger fishing has certainly declined in the last few years with the really big Tigers Declining rapidly.
Here is a photo of net in-front of the house where the locals aren't allowed to net. This is just one nights catch. Imagine 1000's of these nets in the dam and no policing.
We are looking at ways to implement Anti-poaching or some sort of control.
So in a few years time I certainly hope the Tigers will still be there.
Here is some of the other specie catches.
Vundu Catfish
Breams
So each year we do our annual trip to Cahora Bassa in Mozambique for some Tiger Fishing.
Tow the boat all the way from South Africa to Mozambique 1650km we do in 20-22 Hours depending on the Border Posts. A friend of mine has a house next to the dam so we can do as we please, for a good 2 weeks Holiday.
So last year we decided to pack the tent and do an exploring trip to the west of the dam. Just an indication the dam is 230km long ( 145miles). We did a 2 day trip to the west, but the water was a bit rough and couldn't fish all the good spots in the main lake. Will certainly go back and do it again even though it was 40 degrees Celsius each day
After our camping trip we went back to the house and spend the rest of the days there.
During December to February the tigers start moving up in the rivers for the spawn period. During this time the males and the big females are mixed up, making you chances to hook a monster even greater.
So between the four of us we landed around 100+ Tigers in the 2 weeks.
There is just something about Tiger Fishing if you can imagine a Large Mouth Bass fight times that by 10 then you get to the Tigers fighting ability.
Our landing rate was about 20-33% of all the hook ups we had, there mouths are just to boney to set the hook probably.
The gear we used was:
Heavy Rods (7-8ft)
Reliable Shimano Reels for Spinning Size 4000-5000
40-50lb Braid
Big Spinners
So all and all our biggest for the trip was 6.5kg
Here is some more photos
One of the biggest problems in the area is Gill Netting.
All the locals live next to dam do netting for fish and I mean some of these nets are 200-300m long, their main target species are Breams but they do catch everything in these nets.
90% of all the Tigers we caught had some gill nets around them, even the Crocodiles have some nets around them.
There is no Policing of these nets as the officials doesn't have the resources to conduct the policing of these nets, so its just a free for all.
The Tiger fishing has certainly declined in the last few years with the really big Tigers Declining rapidly.
Here is a photo of net in-front of the house where the locals aren't allowed to net. This is just one nights catch. Imagine 1000's of these nets in the dam and no policing.
We are looking at ways to implement Anti-poaching or some sort of control.
So in a few years time I certainly hope the Tigers will still be there.
Here is some of the other specie catches.
Vundu Catfish
Breams
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