Shongweni carp fishing tips

This spot has become increasingly popular, mainly due to the fact that it is one of our most established masses of water. Shongweni has been around for decades and is home to some of the biggest carp landed in KZN. This is what we need to keep telling ourselves in time of desperation, such as we are going through at the moment.

Shongweni, due to its mountainous surroundings, is Affected heavily by the rains, heat and temperature fluctuation. As with most of our dams here in KZN, Shongweni goes through all of the threats and changes that the other dams such as Midmar, Albert Falls and Inanda do, but on a much more severe scale. Shongweni can go from crystal clear to chocolate brown in a matter of 5 hours due to rains. It can go from 25 degrees to 20 degrees in a matter of days and this is where the current problem of algae and organic growth comes in.

The rising temperatures increase the growth rate of organic growth and this growth chokes all life forms around it, it starves the water of oxygen, and limits visibility severely.  Only the odd carp will be landed, but here are a few methods to be used that will increase your chances of a fish:

- Increase the size of your baits. This will make it more visible and more appealing to the carp.
- Add more flavouring such as Korda "Goo". This will help the carp locate your bait in the low visibility.
- Use more ground feed, although this may attract barbel, it will also attract more carp.
- Fish in areas that seem to be less clouded with algae, the more visibility, the better the chance of a hook-up.
- Look for action or feeding carp on the surface and make a feeding spot in that area. These fish are obviously in that area for a reason and will be more active, feed better and be less weary.

Bass -  Anglers visiting Albert Falls dam have been successful with Flukes and top water lures such as Zara Spooks and Strike Pro Thai Sticks. Kyalami Bay is still the go-to spot for slow angling, with very few anglers coming home empty handed. Midmar has been fishing better than before, seeing a good few bass from the banks, as well as the boat. At this time of the year when visibility is low, it is easier for bank anglers to sneak up on fish in the shallows, particularly from the shore. Inanda fished well over the past weekend, prior to the rains, but during the week saw some slow fishing obviously due to the fluctuating pressure. Inanda saw good carp angling and plenty of barbel, for those who lean more towards the relaxed styles of angling. Hazelmere is another dam being noticed for its up and coming bass fishing. This dam had its good days and bad days , the latter of which was not seen this weekend. Good catches from the banks and boat were recorded, and a lunker of 4.5kg was landed by a youngster near the inlet on a Strike Pro crank bait.

A reminder that the 2014 Inanda Bass Classic is to be held early May 2014. There are plenty of great prizes to be won.

(File Photo:Wikipedia)

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