From rocky coastlines to freshwater lakes, fishing takes you places. Get started with these basic beginner fishing gear kits.
Get hooked
Keen on fishing but not sure where to start? Chat to local anglers and tackle shops for insider’s info on fishing spots, best times to fish and what bait to use. also go to consumer days and talk to experts to find the right gear, and get your hands on MapStudio’s Gone Fishing book (R200, www.mapstudio.co.za). This guide outlines top fishing spots with GPS co-ordinates, fishing advice and contact information for bait suppliers and conser- vation authorities.
Freshwater fishing
Total kit cost from R830
Sufix Synergy 19lb monofilament line. Light enough to float through water but strong enough to land that big fish. R79,95.
Sufix monofilament line
Shimano Sienna 4000 FD dual- purpose reel. Perfect for spin fishing (angling technique that uses a spinning lure) and good value for money.
R399,95.
Shimano Sienna reel
The incredibly light, two-piece Shimano Scimitar graphite spin 7-foot rod is affordable and small enough to travel with. R349,95.
Shimano Scimitar rod
Lure it in!
1. Storm Chug Bug. Best in the early morning and late afternoon because it moves aggressively, twitching like a frog.
Storm chug bug
2. Rapala Scatter Rap Crank. Deemed by local anglers to be the most exciting lure with enormous success, thanks to its erratic movements.
Rapala scatter rap crank
3. Rubbery worms. The most productive colours are watermelon, green pumpkin and junebug.
Rubbery worms
4. Storm Wiggle Wart. For casting into heavy sticks.
Storm wiggle wart
Freshwater lures cost from R79,95 to R119,95 each.
Sea fishing
Total kit cost from R2 150
High-performance Sufix 832 30lb braided line con- sists of eight threads woven together, so it’s much stronger than other lines.
R499,95
You can clearly see the weave
Sufix braided line
Shimano Exage C5000FC reel. Big line capacity and good for beginners.
R999,95.
Shimano Exage reel
Shimano Vengeance AX Shad 10ft rod. Designed for spin fishing. Longer rod means you can cast further.
R649,95.
Shimano Vengeance rod
Lure it in!
There are a variety of shaped lead spoons, each of which move differently – an S-shaped spoon such as the Gomame Jig (R79,95) twitches in the water, while the Slick Jig (R69,95) straight spoon sails through water.
Gomame jig
Slick jig
The law
Purchase annual recreational fishing permits (from R76) from post offices. additional permits to collect marine life such as crabs and mussels and other molluscs are compulsory. For example, a separate R94 permit is needed for squid. Find out where fishing is permitted in a conservancy and be aware of areas where fishing is forbidden such as Langebaan Lagoon Marine Protected area and St Lucia Marine Protected area.
Fly fishing
Total kit cost from R1 425
The all-in-one Xplorer Fly Fishing Procast II combo pack comes complete with a fly rod, two pre-spooled fly reels with line, flies and instructional fly-casting DVD. The nine-foot rod is easily assembled and comes in a protective tube. The lightweight reels are loaded with floating and sinking line, allowing you to fish at various water levels.
Xplorer flyfishing combo pack
This type of fishing uses hand-tied flies that resemble hatching insects or bait fish. The Xplorer set comes with six flies in a waterproof case: two woolly buggers, a pair of flashback nymphs, and two red-eye damsels.
The flyfishers fly box
Different types of flies
STOCKISTS
All items listed are available from good fishing stores across the country. You can also contact Rapala South Africa directly if you’re looking for something specific, 011-794-6950, www.rapalasa.co.za.
