Boskop Dam
11/12/2010
Morne De Beer
Again a weather change as we approach a day's fishing as a part of an informal cast for cash club outing at Boskop Dam. As we stopped next to the road looking out over Klerkskraal Dam for coffee my fishing partner and borther (Lee de Beer) commented on how cold the wind is that is blowing quite strongly at 05h15 in the morning.
Boskop Dam is also situated on the Mooi River system and is about 40 km downstream from Klerksraal Dam. To get to the dam travel on the road from Carletonville to Potchefstroom and 35km in the direction of Potchefstroom you will see a board "Naturama" where you need to turn off to your right and follow about 300 meters of dirt road to the resort.
Facilities:
The facilities offered at "Naturama" are very basic. There is a fee payable and launching facilities are very narrow and present a bit of challenge with underwater obstacles and limited free space to reverse in.
I have launched an 18 foot Ranger which is a very wide boat off this slipway, so wider imported boats can be launched.
There are very basic camping facilities for those who would like to spend a couple of days at the dam.
Security is not a problem and cars can be left safely whilst fishing.
NB – the dam is a no wake zone and no speeding or planing is allowed on the dam. Please adhere to this as we are being allowed to use outboards as a concession only. This privilege will be taken away and we will be forced to use only electric motors again the wind does make this a problem a lot of the time – be responsible and a good ambassador for the bass fishing fraternity.
Weather:
We experienced a windy day and coping with the gusts making fishing uncomfortable at times. The bites were not as aggressive as usual, but at least the fish were biting. None the less fish were caught. As usual the water clarity was excellent.
Fish species:
Bass, Dwarf Kurper, Vlei Kurper, Blue Kurper*, Carp, Ghilimientjies, Moggel, Orange River Mudfish, Mosquito Fish, Dwarf Kurper, Barbel, Small Mouth Yellow Fish, Large Mouth Yellow Fish, Small Mouth Bass**.
* have been introduced and have seen a couple caught.
** Have caught several in the past, but have not seen and do not know of any being caught in the past 8 years
In addition – platanna, crabs, nymphs, various frog species, snakes, etc
Structure:
The main structure in the dam is various species of grass, rocks, a large submerged island and reed beds.
There are a limited number of lay downs and some standing timber on the old river channel and this information is a closely guarded secret and only becomes visible when the dam level drops considerably.
Tackle:
Most of 19 bass were caught using the Pro Elite 721 Medium Heavy fitted with a Banax Magma bait caster (7:1 ratio) and rigged with 14 lbs Gamma Fluorocarbon line. On this we fished a Zoom Speed Worm rigged on a 4/0 Hyabusa wide gap hook with a smallish tungsten Texas sinker pegged up against the eye of the hook. The bait was cast into the holes around the grass and allowed to fall into the pockets and fished slowly, allowing maximum time on the holes in the grass.
No fish were caught on spinner bait, jerk bait or crank bait, despite these usually producing fish in Boskop Dam.
Other baits that worked:
Damiki Mr Jumbo
Cull-em Syncro 5 inch
Cull-em D ringer
Cull-em Baby Bushpig
