Chewore : Marauding Tigerfish
By Ant Williams
That was my first visit to this lodge on the Zambezi, and when invited by owner Terry Kelly to have another bite of the apple, I jumped at it. Terry’s invite came in June of 2014 though, leaving me with nearly five months of anticipation and yearning... and something to look forward to.
Part of the trip was planned to (hopefully) witness the beginning of an important tigerfish tagging program Terry wanted to implement in order to better understand this iconic fish an guide his conservation efforts. Terry has fished the Chewore for over 30 years, and avers the tiger fishing is in serious decline - a view echoed by many other operators and visitors to the river. While the declining catches could be attributed to fish poaching, over netting or overfishing by sportsmen, there seems to be no clear answer. Honestly, looking at the shear size of the Zambezi and the magnitude of habitat it is hard to believe it could be over fished by anyone.
It is true, little is known of the dynamics of tigerfish in the river, and some theorise if all (or any) of the tiger are actually resident in any part of its 2700km course. The Chewore’s relative proximity to Charoa Bassa Dam in Mozambique leads many to believe the big tigerfish migrate up river from that impoundment, mostly to spawn, then possibly return. This exposes them to nets along the river, though this is not a new phenomenon as subsistence and even commercial fishing of the river is as much a part of its history as the shifting sands beneath the surface are. Lots to ponder as I lay in my lodge, once again surrounded by elephants and noisily munching hippo on the lawn.
Chewore Lodge and Camp Site was established in 2010 as a partnership between the National Parks and Wild Life Authority and Chewore Confluence (Pvt) Ltd, and saw the up-grading and development of what was once a rudimentary campsite into a comfortable well serviced facility with all amenities including limited electricity, hot water, showers, toilets and even Minus 40 freezers on each site, while phase two saw the completion of the lodge complex adjacent to the camping facilities, which provides an element of luxury without detracting from the raw and wild essence that is the Zambezi valley.
Chewore Lodge is a little different in its appointment. While the main dining-come-bar area is thatched and looks out over the river, positioned to enjoy both sunrise and sunset, the chalets themselves are brick under conventional roofing. Compact in design, they offer a level of modern luxury with fully tiled floors and bathrooms and all the conveniences. The windows are open, but tastefully barred which aside from allowing a cooling breeze, give amazing views of the river when laying in bed, but still make one feel secure. Five such en-suite
The campsites, each with their own ablutions, power point and Minus 40 deepfreeze are very comfortable right on the river’s edge, and frequented by all manner of creature, from elephant to waterbuck, kudu and warthog. Beware the monkeys though.
chalets with twin single beds will cater to 10 people in camp. A generator backed up by an inverter system means round the clock 220v power, and an ice-making blast freezer ensures lots of cold drinks and ice for those all important cooler boxes.
Chewore Lodge is 99km from the main Mana entry boom, along mediocre dirt roads which are quite comfortable at the stipulated 40km/h National Parks speed limits. The Chewore airstrip is a stone’s throw from the lodge for those wanting to fly in - a mere hour and a bit from Harare - and ideal for international visitors, as all you need bring is your tackle (although the lodge does provide basic tackle within their daily rate), and a healthy appetite for sun, wildlife and fishing
During my first trip a couple of years back, the “top-water-fishing-for-tiger” bug had bitten me hard, and we descended on those tigerfish with a veritable armoury of surface lures - everything from poppers, to Dying Flutters, an array of Zara Spooks and all manner of stick baits, including some home-made variations. We popped, slurped, twitched and ripped our way to utter frustration, as tiger after tiger smashed at the lures but seldom found the hooks. It was exciting, and some nights I still wake in a cold sweat of anticipation at the memory of those strikes. It was our first dedicated top-water fishing trip though, and the learning curve had just left the “Y” axis in a very steep climb. In time, we learned a lot about tiger and how they feed and perceive baits. I would be lying if I said the process was anywhere near complete, and though I did throw surface lures this time around, we drifted conventional baits mostly, while I threw a traditional red tiger spinner, dressed with a chessa fillet.
Chewore Lodge operate two 25' aluminium pontoon boats (powered by twin 60hp Mercury Four Strokes) which make ideal river fishing boats. They do have a conventional 15' fibreglass river boat too, for those fishing one-up or wanting to flyfish. This time, as last, Rex was our boat captain and guide. A skilled operator, he knows the river well, where the best drifts are and how to set the boat up to take maximum advantage of them. We ventured some 15km up-steam and down almost to the Mupata Gorge covering some stunning water which many consider the epitome of what the Zambezi represents. Man I love that place!
My passion for the Zambezi though, pales into insignificance when compared to that of one James Blevin. James penned an article on the use of Circle hooks when bait fishing for tigerfish (see Vo.25 No.2) as, when used properly, they generally reduce the incidence of throat and gut hooked fish enabling better release. Last year, he and his (now) fiancé camped in a tent at Chewore Campsite for six weeks! Fishing from sun up to sun down, he thrashed the river to a froth in almost exclusive pursuit of the ultimate double-digit tiger - the 20 pounder. He was back there again during this visit - poor, long suffering Sammy at his side - running hither and thither in his quest. I do think Sammy loves what they do, though being a mere mortal like most of us, she would probably enjoy a few less hours on the river in the Zambezi’s baking 40 degree heat (they were averaging 10-12 hours a day!). James was all set to assist with the proposed tagging program, but alas the necessary permission from the authorities had not yet been finalised and the program will commence next season they hope.
The proposed tagging program would likely furnish some interesting insights which could go a long way to addressing unanswered questions. I remember a similar initiative run during the 90s up in the Barotse in Zambia by one of the lodges, and re-caught tigerfish did indeed show a much longer range than thought, and also provided soome size and weight information. The tag itself has become a science and is quickly inserted into the base of the dorsal fin with a purpose-made tool. The tag contains a fish specific number, as well as contact details should it be re-captured. Obviously, the program would need the active support from all river users in recording relevant information from the tags on re-caught fish, and mailed to the appropriate address. The local fishing communities along the river could likewise be incentivised to return tags from netted or dead fish. In time, a record will be built which would provide a more complete understanding of what the river fish do in between the times they are entertaining us.
 My 13 pound tiger caught on a conventional red tiger spinner dressed with a fillet. It hit like a freight train getting airborne as it took the lure, and nearly breaking my wrists. |  The compact and very comfortable two bedded chalets with bathroom en-suite |  The compact and very comfortable two bedded chalets with bathroom en-suite |
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 The Bogga Grip coupled with Circle hooks which will invariably hook the tiger in the mouth and not the throat, make for quick and clean releases - something Chewore insist on for all tigerfish. |  Terry and Di Kelly enjoyed the fruits of their labour. |  Terry and Di Kelly enjoyed the fruits of their labour. |
Interestingly, a high-tech radio transmitter tagging program was run on the Zambezi in Namibia in 2000/1, aimed at providing information for formulation of their fisheries management. Due to the annual flooding of the Barotse, this section of the Zambezi is quite different to places like Chewore, where water level is generally regulated and maintained by Kariba and the Kafue. However, their findings were very interesting. Sponsored by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, WWF and USAID and produced by Eva B. Thorstad, Clinton J. Hay, Tor F. Næsje, Ben Chanda and Finn Økland and run between 23 November-18 May it states “Mean total distance moved by individual fish was 26,492m (range 547-105,988m). Average distance moved between tracking surveys was 1,447m (range 17-7,210m). Two different movement patterns could be described, even though all the fish showed some sort of site fidelity. Approximately half of the fish showed only movements less than 1,000m between tracking surveys (every 4.1 days), staying within defined home ranges. The remaining fish showed site fidelity for periods, with long distance movements (> 1,000m) to new areas between the residency periods. The movements longer than 1,000m were on average 18,784m, and 42% were downstream and 58% upstream. Differences in movement patterns among individuals could not be explained by differences in body size, and there seemed to be no seasonality in the long distance movements. It is, therefore, suggested that these movements were not related to spawning, but that they, for example, were related to feeding opportunities. Home range size varied among individual fish, with a 50% probability of localisation within an average area of 26,464m2 (range 171-115,564 m2) and 95% probability of localisation within an average area of 276,978 m2 (range 1,041-1,191,836 m2). On average, the fish stayed within a river stretch of 18,836 m (range=90-71,840).”
While our lower Zambezi does experience some degree of flooding each year, it is nothing like the Barotse. In spite of the massive flooding on the upper Zambezi though, tigerfish did not really behave vastly differently during high water, mostly preferring the main channel of the river. The report continues “Tigerfish did not undertake long-distance migrations onto the floodplains, but mainly utilised the adjacent temporary water covered areas. All the fish were recorded in the mainstream of the river, and on average, 81% of the fixes (average of different individuals) were in the main river. However, the tigerfish were to an increasing extent recorded in habitats such as side channels, backwaters and floodplains during rising water level. Although often recorded in the main river channel, tigerfish rather stayed closer to shore than in the middle of the river. The fish were recorded on average 107m from the nearest shore (69m during low, 68m during rising and 356 during high water), which constituted 22% of the total width of the river (25% during low, 23% during rising and 28% during high water).”
As techniques have evolved in recent years, and more and more anglers are targeting tigerfish with flies and lures in the margin riverbank areas of the river, it seems that contrary to traditional thoughts, the tiger do utilise vegetation and structure more than one might think. “The fish were also likely to be associated with vegetation, but they were never recorded inside or under vegetation. The most frequently recorded vegetation type was marginal aquatic anchored vegetation. Water depth where the fish were recorded varied between 0.5 and 14.0m, and was on average 3.8m. Water temperature during the study varied between 20.7 and 30.1 ºC.” they reported.
It was obvious from their study that tigerfish are vulnerable to over-exploitation as 26% of their tagged fish were recaptured, often in nets. Given that tigerfish both occupy relatively small ranges for periods, then move longer distances, any management strategy needs to have the support of all stakeholders and even governments if it is to really work. They conclude “Co-ordination of local and regional management regulations are important for the tigerfish populations, to avoid fish being protected in one river section and depleted in the neighbouring river section. In rivers bordering on several countries like the Upper Zambezi River, multilateral management regulations are needed as well, especially for long-distance moving species as the tigerfish. However, tigerfish may be less vulnerable to high exploitation in a specific area than more stationary species. The long distance movements of some individuals makes it likely that a locally depleted population can be re-colonised by tigerfish moving from other areas, even tens of kilometres away.
Bryn with his 13lb tiger... usually left behind in the office to layout the magazines, he enjoyed “work” in the field, though was bitten by the 15lb bug. Chewore has a score board at the lodge honouring those fortunate enough to catch 15 pound plus tigerfish. It kept him thrashing the water tirelessly.
“The stationarity of some of the tigerfish also implies that smaller sanctuaries can protect adult fish, because some of them may be staying in the protected area. However, smaller sanctuaries will not protect the long-distance moving fractions of the tigerfish population, and when management actions to protect tigerfish are needed, gear or effort restrictions may be more effective. A more detailed study of the activity patterns of the fish throughout the
day would provide information on the vulnerability of the tigerfish for being caught in passive gears, such as gillnets. The long distance movements also suggest that tigerfish populations may be vulnerable to dams and other migration barriers.”
Part of our own rambling conversations explored the idea that maybe the fish populations have not necessarily declined to the extent imagined, but rather the fish have become wise to anglers due simply to the increasing number of people on the river. Indeed, studies on bass have shown they are able to ‘learn” and avoid dangerous or uncomfortable situations, and as ongoing research is constantly showing, fish are capable of a great deal more than we have given them credit for. Static populations may indeed be growing accustomed to us simple anglers.
Our day usually started with a half hour bait fishing for Imberi from one of Terry’s hot-spots. Tiger love them, and cut in half they make an ideal bait for drifting.
Chewore is wild and beautiful - James and Sammy saw and filmed a leopard drinking at the water’s edge in the Mupata gorge - and we heard lion and hyena most nights. The proliferation of lodges on the river - both Zimbabwean and Zambian - coupled with the historic and new net fishermen is bringing the resource under pressure, and the future longevity of it will depend on everyone working together. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit and long thought-provoking conversations with people who care. The Chewore Lodge is simple and comfortable and does not detract from the surrounding wilderness, while everyone there from the top down share a common goal of conserving the natural resources of the river.
Chewore Lodge and Campsite (GPS - e029̊ 53.725"/s15̊ 37.566") will re-open in March of 2015 after the main rains... You should get there. For more information visit their website - www.chewore.com - or email them at bookings@chewore.com or telephone them on (+263-4) 775628 or 751298.
I have seen the Lower Zambezi on both sides of the divide, that being before and after the birth of all the fishing lodges and camps. When I speak of the Lower Zambezi I mean the stretch of river from the Chongwe confluence all the way down to, and including most of the Mupata Gorge. Indeed, there was a time when you could drift down the river for days on end without encountering another boat. Fishing methods were no more complex than drift baiting with a chessa cutlet, normally with handsome success. But things have changed and the question exists as to why. There has been a tendency in some articles to exact blame primarily on poaching, perhaps because it is a convenient scapegoat. The Lower Zambezi for the most part is well protected from poachers and in those areas where it isn't, poaching has been a factor for decades. It is not a new phenomenon. Why then has the fishing experience declined since the inception of the fishing lodges and camps? Some will argue that fish migrate and that poaching methods are more advanced than they used to be in Cahora Bassa and perhaps further upstream as well. But the scientific argument still remains in that there was no need for a tigerfish to migrate large distances before the construction of the dams. Surely then there must always be a healthy permanent fish population in the Lower Zambezi at any given point in time? Let us assume that there is and focus on those fish.
To ensure a sustainable and productive fishery in the long term, careful and well considered management is paramount. One need only consider the continued prosperity of the Hydrocynus Tanzaniae fisheries for evidence of this. It is a place that I am yet to visit but judging from all accounts it is well protected and will remain a fishing paradise for years to come. Protections include limitations on the number of fishermen and the regularity with which they fish certain sections of water, an insistence on fly fishing and spinning, and careful catch and release practices. If that weren't enough, the prices ensure that only those genuinely passionate about sport fishing will ever have the chance to go there. Whether the Lower Zambezi goes in that direction is a discussion for another day but the readers of this magazine can certainly take a moment to examine their fishing conduct.
By James Blevin
Circle Hooks - Saving the Tigers of Africa
According to IFGA, recent studies have shown the best release techniques are often species-specific. A study published in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society in 2003, research compared respiratory responses in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (M.dolomieu) in situations with restricted oxygen levels – called hypoxia. Their findings concluded smallmouth bass are far more sensitive to hypoxia than largemouth bass, and the study suggests the ecological differences between the fish could be related to the differences in their physiological responses to hypoxia. Largemouth bass are lie-and-wait predators found in warmer shallow waters with lower dissolved oxygen levels, while smallmouth bass are more active and prefer deeper, colder waters higher in dissolved oxygen.
Tigerfish, like smallmouths, are more sensitive to hypoxia as evidenced by their high mortality if fought too long, not handled properly and released quickly, or if kept out of the water for any length of time. They do not generally survive in live wells, and react badly to any kind of handling out of the water. The most efficient way to release tiger is to keep them submerged close to the boat while removing the lure, and then simply allowing them to swim away.
There is no doubt that bait fishing targets larger hen fish and this is the major reason why it is not permitted in the Tanzanian fishery. In fact I have fished in many locations around the world where for certain periods during the year, bait fishing is prohibited. But the appeal of the Lower Zambezi will be diminished somewhat should potential visitors be told that they could not target a trophy fish. So a compromise must be reached. Circle hooks are a proven entity and must become the norm. When used correctly they only ever set in either the skin of the mouth or the side plating thus aiding a quick release once landed. Furthermore fishermen should be encouraged to set the hook early, rather than wait for the tiger to swallow the bait. The propensity for fishermen to do this developed through a desire to hook and land every bite, a simpler and less challenging task when the hook is in the gut rather than the mouth. Not only is this practice unsporting, but it is irresponsible in that it is harming the fishery at large.
A hen hooked in the gut is difficult to release and every one that dies takes thousands of eggs with her. When this happens enough, the fish population can be negatively affected. Another issue to address is the utilisation of light tackle. Again, the decision to use light tackle is an ill-considered one given that the fish has to do battle for longer thus diminishing its chances of successful recovery and release. A successful release is also contingent upon various other factors. The first is the method for landing the fish. A Boga Grip should used to secure the head of the fish in conjunction with wet mutton cloth to secure the tail. The fish's weight is then reasonably well supported before removal from the water. The combination of the Boga and mutton grip then allows for swift hook removal and photo opportunities before the fish is returned to the water. There is no reason why this whole process should take more than a minute. Upon returning the fish to the water it is a good idea to gently hold the tail itself and wait until the fish swims out of your grasp. This is an indication that the fish has recovered sufficiently well to survive.
A final point worth considering is whether the angling experience has waned due to fish intelligence. Some of the premier barramundi fisheries in Australia are stocked with up to a million fingerlings every year and yet they are known as 'the fish of ten thousand casts'. The barramundi are there but they have grown wiser through the years as a result of fishing pressure. Surely this is then also a factor in the Lower Zambezi? It is only logical to draw that conclusion when you consider that in 1998 you were unfortunate if you saw another boat on that stretch in a whole day's fishing. Nowadays you are considered fortunate if you manage a count under twenty. When this fact is fully accepted and embraced, there will be a natural progression to more sporting fishing methods such as fly fishing and the use of artificial lures. This will be due to those methods being more effective in terms of inducing strikes. In turn, the fishery will be given a chance to recover as the decline in bait utilisation will mean both a healthier food chain and some respite for our beloved hen fish.
As stated, the use of Circle hooks and their benefits are significant. Many studies have shown that where a fish is hooked has a significant bearing on whether that fish will be successfully released after capture. Effective use of circles is dependent on a number of factors which I have outlined below.
A circle hook is one manufactured so that the hook point is turned perpendicularly back toward the shank, forming a generally circular shape, hence the name. Various studies have assessed their efficacy in terms of hooking and landing rates, and their worth as a conservation tool. Prior to circle hooks becoming popular with recreational fishermen in regions such as the USA, they were the reserve of commercial long liners. Coincidentally, the commercial fisheries’ penchant for using them is borne of that same desire recreational fishers have to retain fish on the line once hooked. Study after study has revealed that the science of a circle hook means that fish will almost always be hooked in either the jaw or maxillary, or the skin of the mouth, and deep hooking is rare. Secondarily, the incidence of by-catch mortality in commercial fisheries is markedly reduced when circles are predominantly used. Again, this is because by-catch species can be released due to fish usually being hooked in a non-lethal area of the body.
As I’ve mentioned, the progression toward the exclusive use of circles by recreational fishers seems logical but for rumours of circles not being as effective as J-hooks when it comes to actually hooking fish. There is no doubt that once a fish is hooked on a circle, it very rarely escapes. The fact that they are good enough for commercial industry should be evidence enough of this claim. But are they as effective during the actual hook up? That, I believe, is the burning question of many of the readers of this magazine. The answer is yes, if the correct technique is employed.
The effective use of circles involves some connoisseur technicalities and they are best illustrated using a step-by-step guide, which is as follows:
1. Hook size relative to the fish species is important. A 6/0 and 7/0 work best for tigerfish and larger catfish. Be careful however, as there is some variability in sizes between manufacturers so my recommendation would be to buy a few packs of varying hook sizes, and actually test them in the field to see which works.
2. Circle hooks rely on slow, but direct, application of pressure. The blunt force induced by a strike when angling with a normal J-Hook will not work with a circle. The important word in the first sentence is ‘direct’, which means that braided lines complement a circle better than monofilament lines. The reason for this is that there is far more stretch in the latter and often the hook won’t set well. If you are averse to using braid, fluorocarbon is another option as it also does not stretch.
3. Pursuant to that word ‘direct’ again, I prefer using a Snell knot to tie my hook to the trace or leader. I have illustrated how to tie this knot below. The use of this knot allows for direct pressure to be applied through the eye and shank of the hook. Importantly, the hook will always be in the correct position as there is no loop which would normally be the case if you were using conventional wire and crimps.
4. When rigging your bait, it is vital that the hook not be buried in the bait. There must always be daylight between the point of the hook and the shank and often a simple thread through the top of the bait will suffice. Naturally, a smaller bait will aid your hook up rate as it is likely that the fish will have all of the bait in its mouth.
5. Once you have cast your bait, remain vigilant about monitoring its movement. In an ideal world, your line should be extending directly outward from the end of the rod tip. I.e. there should be no angle between the rod tip and the line. If your bait moves to three o’clock, reel in the slack line and move your rod tip to three o’clock as well, thereby “straightening” the line.
6. We’ve arrived at the most crucial part of the method and there are two options here. You can fish with a free spool and wait for the strike, or you can fish with a set drag. In both scenarios you will be setting the hook early and trajectory of the rod should be approximately 45 degrees. If fishing with a free drag, count two or three seconds into the run, then raise the rod gently, set the drag, and watch your rod load up. Do not strike. Doing so will result in you pulling the hook right out of the fish’s mouth. The same applies when fishing with a set drag. Keep the rod at 45 degrees in the right direction and any fish that strikes should hook itself.
7. Once the fish is on, the normal rules of engagement apply. Keep tension in the line at all times and remember that although a jump is great for photos, it is an indication that you are pulling too hard on the fish.
The science does not lie and you will find that most fish you catch on circles will be hooked in the jaw or skin of the mouth. You’ll also find that your catch and release efforts will improve drastically and gone will be the days of cutting the trace and releasing a fish with a hook still embedded in its throat. Whoever came up with the notion that hooks dissolve quickly in freshwater, does not deserve to be fishing at all. Every effort should be made to ensure that a fish is released in the same condition it was in prior to ingesting your bait.
Niloticus - Go Forth and Conquer...
By Greg Budd
I must profess I am no expert when it comes to nilo fishing. However I have over the years sunk a line or two in pursuit of these robust bream. During that time I have followed the advice of the experts and with some success, I’ve landed a few reasonable specimens.
Of late, opportunity has knocked on the door and I’ve had the chance to spend time honing my skill. By any means this article is not intended to be the bible of Oreochromis niloticus (also known as nillies) angling but what will follow are a few observations I’ve noted, and implemented, which have increased my success ten fold.
Before we can dream of catching nilo’s there are a few factors we need to take into consideration. Primarily, the fish must be in the zone you are fishing, and like any species, there are some times which are better than others. It’s no good arriving at your chosen fishing spot, prepared with bait and tackle, and simply dropping a line. Sure you may be lucky enough to catch a few decent fish but the chances are you’ll return home sunburnt and empty handed, or like many aspiring anglers I know, a dozen beers under the belt and a nagging reluctance to return the following morning, week or month.
The obvious angling destination for nilo’s is Kariba, with a few notable locations in particular, though the species are prevalent throughout the lake. I’ll wager that most dams in Zimbabwe have been plagued by nilo’s and though the jury is still out on how good they are for our waters’ ecology, there is no doubt that the introduction of Niloticus, intentional or not, has created an entire new realm of exciting angling opportunities. They’re not too bad in the pan either but more of that will follow.
Wherever you choose to fish for nilo’s the best times are between November and May; any particular month dependent on what extremes of summer heat you’re willing to subject yourself to. For comfort, the cooler months of April and May are the most productive, enabling the angler to spend more hours on the water.
From what we can glean niloticus seem to spawn several times a year and their reproductive capability begins from a very young age. The main spawn is thought to be during August and September when many anglers catch these fish off their nests in shallow water, though the ethics of this method are questionable. The view of some Ichthyologists is that as nilo’s are an introduced species they must be caught and killed – ‘hook and cook’ as opposed to ‘catch and release’. This is a two edged sword as it is also thought that due to their rapid breeding cycle and growth the more fish taken out of the water, the more they will reproduce; perhaps harvesting them only succeeds in increasing their abundance. I believe this comes down to personal ethics as we don’t know enough about the fish species yet to set rules in stone.
Baiting
The key ingredient increasing your catch rate is baiting. For best results your chosen fishing spot should be baited for a period of three to four days before fishing it. This can be difficult considering the logistical improbability of being in two places at once, unless you can get someone else to bait your area prior to arrival. A good practice at Kariba, when utilising a houseboat as a fishing base, is to bait your desired fishing spot on the first leg of your journey, returning to it after you have gained your full of fishing, food, drink and sightseeing elsewhere on the lake.
Game blocks are the only blocks to be used when baiting. Evidence exists that certain ingredients in cattle blocks are toxic to fish. I have tried to research this notion but as yet have found no refutable evidence (if any reader could add to this please contact the magazine). Blocks can be dropped whole, halved or quartered near structure, the base of trees being preferred, in 14-22ft of water. From experience, and having interviewed several other anglers, the general rule seems to be ‘the shallower the water the smaller the fish’, though at any depth your catch is sure to include various sizes. There is a theory that eel grass, the preferred habitat for smaller bream, does not grow beyond a depth of 18ft and therefore your chances of bigger fish increase beyond that.
Anglers have tried various methods to release bait, or ‘chum’ as it’s called, at a desired depth. The easiest method is to contain your game block in a hessian or jute sack, strategically punctured with small one inch holes, lowered on a rope and tied to the waterline of a tree. This serves also to mark your chosen spot. Be sure to select a notable colour of rope, or mark the spot in another way, as these days every single tree in a niloticus fishing location is sure to bare the marking remnants of a prior fishing ‘hotspot’.
The bagged block ensures a slow release of chum and protects the contents from being devoured by ‘pest’ species such as squeaker, silver barbel and catfish. Its other purpose is to ensure that your target species does not over indulge and therefore lose its appetite by the time you drop a line. Personally, I believe nilo’s are too prolific and will always be around no matter how much you feed them.
On one particular occasion we had the misfortune to lose an entire bagged block to what only could have been a hippo. On arriving at our fishing spot one morning we were greeted by the raggedy remains of rope and jute sack floating nearby on the surface.
 Above: Caption for the above picture Right: Caption for the picture on the right |
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Rigs
This is a topic of much debate and has evolved since the first years when nilo’s appeared in the lake. In those days the preferred method of fishing for them was with a running float rig. The weight of the float aided casting, compensating for the bait used, which was one fish pellet, secured to a No.8 hook with a thin band of valve tubing. Much has changed since then and these days fishing for nilo’s has adopted an approach similar to European course fishing, using large boilies as bait, the ingredients of which are conjured from the most fertile of imaginations.
The simplest rig for nilo’s is a plain dropper rig, either with or without a swivel, the ¼ ounce sinker hanging a foot lower than the bait. Treble hooks, sized No.6 or 8, are preferred, simply for holding the bait which is usually a stiff paste concoction. Even for the largest of this bream species, 12-15lb monofilament or fluorocarbon will suffice as a leader, though you’re sure to be in for a worthy tussle when you land specimens of three kilo’s and above.
Another rig, one which I prefer, is weightless, similar to the dropper rig but instead having a second hook where the sinker should be. When using light braid (10-15lb), hugely ‘bite telegraphic’ when compared to monofilament and fluorocarbon, this rig out-performs any other. Nilo’s tend to suck a bait, so rarely are the indications of a bite the same as fishing for other species. Most similar, for those who have fished for them, are carp which tend to nurture a bait before slowly moving off with it.
I’ve found a further advancement to this second rig by dropping the second hook all together and tying a No.8 treble directly to my leader, which is usually a rod length or two of 15lb fluorocarbon attached to my 10lb braid main line. In this way the bait acts as the sinker which is allowed to sink to the bottom before taking up the slack of the main line. With braid, even though the bait may weigh mere grams when water suspended, if a finger is kept on the line when the bail is closed, the slightest movement of the bait can be detected. Similarly, once the bait has been removed from, or dissolved off the hook you have a slack line and immediately know it’s time to bait up again.
Bait
This is another topic of debate with various experts having their own preferred recipes. Personally I find many recipes work and each is just as good as the next, so long as they contain the main ingredient of fish pellets. On my last outing to Kariba I applied an experiment with baits, mixing three different recipes to be used intermittently. I can honestly say that no particular recipe outperformed the other and whilst the bite was ‘hot’ it didn’t matter which bait I decided to use. Follow the bellow recipes or make up your own similar concoction with variants of the below mixtures. A good practice is to ‘chum’ the area around your block zone with small pieces of bait periodically.
*Increase ingredients to scale for larger amounts of bait.
*Always soak pellets in two cupfuls of water for one hour before preparing the mixture.
Recipe One
Three double hand scoops of fish pellets (made by National Foods)
One double hand scoop of flour (this helps bind the bait to stay on the hook longer)
Water or beer (enough to knead the mixture into a stiff paste)
Recipe Two
Three double hand scoops of fish pellets
One double hand scoop of cooked sadza
Water or beer (enough to knead the mixture into a stiff paste)
Recipe Three
Three double hand scoops of fish pellets
Chibuku - the local millet beer (soak pellets and add Chibuku. knead until mixture becomes a stiff paste)
Technique
I find using the simplest rig most advantageous to hooking more fish, that being the last rig as described above. Utilising a single No.8 treble hook tied to the end of your main line, or leader, leaves no encumbrance of additional weight in the form of a sinker or second hook laden with bait. Therefore anything you feel on the line, even the slightest shift in weight, can only be a fish and this will usually be detected with no more than a steady pressure taking up the slack line between the pitch and bob of the boat. Calm days do make fishing easier but this is likely to be during the hottest periods of the year. Bait size can vary from the size of a large grape to golf ball size. I prefer the smaller size with the prongs of the treble hook buried just below the surface of the ball. Those who use larger baits do so in order to keep the bait on the hook longer as it does have a tendency to dissolve in the water. When the fish are biting believe me your bait will not be in the water longer than a couple of minutes and you will be excluding the possibility of catching smaller fish in the 800g to 1.5kg range, and these are definitely best for the pan.
The weight of the bait will suffice to get your hook into the zone, where it must sit gently on the bottom as naturally as possible. Once the bait is on the bottom and your fishing reel is in gear, all slack line must be retrieved so that a finger, touching the line above the bale, is in direct contact with the bait. Technique is crucial here. As soon as the weight of the bait is felt, lower the rod tip so as not to disturb the bait. Rods left in holders or leaning against gunnels, whilst less taxing on the angler, will invariably catch less fish. I tend to do this until the bite becomes fast paced and furious. Then it’s all hands on.
I’ve noticed that many fishermen, whilst bait fishing, appear to be doing all the right things but have a tendency to hold their rod in a restful manner. By this I mean at least one point of the rod, or the hand holding the rod, will be rested somewhere on the body. Particularly with braid, the rod acts as a conductor, ‘telegraphing’ the bite to the finger and hand. By resting the rod anywhere on the body you are ‘grounding’ the rod, in effect allowing the bite to transfer through. I’ve learnt to cradle the rod, the grip hand finding the centre of balance normally by placing the spinning reel foot between your fingers, with two fingers on either side. The rod may still be slightly tip heavy but this doesn’t affect technique too much. Sitting or standing, by raising the rod-hand to belly level, elbow out at 45 degrees, and relaxing the wrist, a neutral balance can be achieved to offset any pitch of the boat created by chop or swell. Let the rod see-saw in your hand and adjust accordingly whenever there may be excessive tight or slack line. I’ll warn that this method does get rather painful eventually, particularly in the shoulder supporting the rod, but the results are worth the effort.
Detecting bites has now become simple by transferring reliance to technique and equipment. Using braid, a single hook and bait, and the cradle method of supporting the rod, I have increased my success significantly. Try it. You might agree.
Smoked Niloticus
Smoking is just one method of preparing this fine table fish. Here’s a recipe for a relatively quick smoke the next time you visit Kariba or have a few niloticus fillets spare.
Ingredients
Enough fillets (skin on) for your pax
Marmalade or jam
Salt
Water
Wood chips (available from Freddy Hirsh, though most wood chips can be used and each variety will impart a different flavour on the fish)
Method
Make enough brine solution to just cover your fillets in a dish by combining the salt and warm water. General rule of thumb is one tablespoon of salt to one large glass of water.
Add the jam or marmalade - one tablespoon of jam for every KG of fillets. Mix the ingredients until salt and jam has dissolved.
Pour solution over fillets until they are covered.
Leave to soak – 15 minutes for every ¼” thickness of fillet.
Place in ready smoker for 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the fillets. (fillets from a 1kg bream will be ready in twenty minutes)
If you don’t have a smoker there is an easy solution. You will need an oven tray, a grill that fits in the tray, preferably free standing, and tinfoil. Place enough wood chips in the tray to cover the bottom. Arrange brined fillets on the grill with 1cm spacing between each fillet. Place the grill on top of the tray and cover the whole tray with two layers of tinfoil, tucking the foil tightly under the trays rims. Place on fire, gas or hotplate for desired smoking time.
Smoked fish can be served with baked potatoes, butter or sour cream and a side salad.
The perfect end to a perfect day!
Enjoy....
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