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A Wonderful Gift. The Knowledge of Catching Fish!

Abi fighting another Monster Fish in Mozambique

A Wonderful Gift. The Knowledge of Catching Fish! 

Who can ever forget the first time they caught a fish? I certainly will never forget that’s for sure. Don’t get me wrong the fish was tiny and it fit into a small partition in a plastic Tackle Box but who cares it was mine. I caught it and I was very proud. That incredible experience felt like yesterday I can still smell the damp air after the rains. I can still see that little fish come flying out of the murky water and into my very grateful hands. Wow there must be more. I must come here again. Maybe every day. Maybe just maybe I could get pretty good at this fishing game! That day took over my life. I was hooked. I didn’t care what type of fishing I did I just needed to Fish. Fast forward many moons later I found myself firstly Kayak Fishing and then in 2009 Jetski Fishing. I have caught some incredible fish and still continue to enjoy catching Fish. However, my satisfaction in Fishing has somewhat shifted to enjoying teaching people to Fish and seeing them catch Fish. Again, the size doesn’t matter it’s the whole experience of catching Fish that counts. I’m writing this article in early 2024 and to be honest for most people it hasn’t been a great few years for many reasons and there’s a million reasons why we cant go Fishing. Fuel prices, vessel costs, weather etc. etc. Many people have left the pleasure Fishing industry citing the afore mentioned reasons why. I understand that and it’s very sad news. On the brighter side I have seen an upturn in youngsters starting to get involved in Fishing both fresh water and salt water and they have been catching some great Fish and you can see these guys and girls are having an incredible time. In my opinion the sport of angling is on a downward slope and we need to turn it around. Anyone who has taken a friend or a youngster Fishing and took the time to help them I applaud you. Lets give them hunger and incredible experience you have for Fishing.

Luke bending properly!

Kirk & Brendan from Go Fish Magazine have always been great supporters of helping Junior Anglers. Byron Kane is incredibly good at coaching his son Brayden & Daughter Rhori to Fish. In fact now they are too good! Mike Perriera from The Kingfisher and Adam Kamdar from Township Hyper also go above and beyond to help Juniors and support the growth of Angling. Many Skiboat Clubs have initiatives for Juniors and I’m sure there’s many more initiatives out there. Let me know Who and what initiatives!

So what’s the secret? Well, its quite simple take a friend or a Junior Fishing and let them and try it. If they don’t like it try again but don’t force them. Here are a few pointers I have thought about.

Shaun & Brother Ricky who is enjoying his first Jetski outing. I can read Shaun’s thoughts Ohhh here we go. Ricky is now looking for his own Jetski!

The Venue Maybe it’s not a good idea to take a junior angler through a huge shore break launch site and out into a choppy Ocean the first few launches. Try Fishing on a local river or dam or a flat calm Ocean. Be patient and its ok to not catch Fish. They are there for the total experience. Maybe think about a slightly later launch if they are not early risers.

ClothingA very important consideration is the correct clothing and expect the weather to change and plan extra clothing.

Food & Water Take plenty of Food, Water and Snacks for your Fishing session. No alcohol.

Rods & Tackle Make sure you take some relevant size Rods & tackle so the Junior Angler feels comfortable and the gear isn’t too heavy.

Target Species & Tactics Instead of Trolling Baits or Hard Body Lures or Konas a great way to enjoy Fishing and catch lots of Fish is to use Drop Shot, Bucktails, or Small Slow Pitch Jigs. It’s a great way to Fish relaxed and keep talking the beginner through what to do and what to try. Nothing beats the thrill of Jigging up a Lure and suddenly it stops dead and some Sea Creature heads back down to his home! Your Reel can be emptied in seconds so at least they will have a good story to tell.

Fish Make sure you practice catch and release with some species and explain size limitations but don’t over complicate things. Fishing should be fun shouldn’t it?

Timing Make sure you don’t go Fishing all day and make it turn boring. New Anglers need to stay interested and want more don’t we?

Safety It goes without saying that Fishing and especially on the Ocean can be dangerous and Safety is of paramount importance.  Make sure Life Jackets are warn and all safety equipment is working and up to date.

Anru & Ruan enjoy a good days Fishing in Guinjata Bay Mozambique

Come on guys and girls take a youngster or a friend Fishing………Let’s get them hooked!

Tight Lines

Codfather

 

Jetski Buoyancy Certificate

Jetski Tubbys Buoyancy Certificate UPDATED 2019

From 2017 You now require a separate Buoyancy Certificate for your Tubbys, Jetwings, Pontoons, Side Pods, etc. and endorsed by SAMSA. The Tubby manufacturer must show SAMSA that if flooded the vessel will not sink, and the Tubbys / Jetwings / Pods etc. are also capable of being flooded. One of the options a manufacturer has is to do a Jetski 'Drop Test' This requires that a Jetski (not yours!) just a similar one must be dropped into sea water from a height of 2 metres. I witnessed one of these tests with Monty who manufactured the Jetwings. It is not for the faint hearted! Anyway you just need to contact the manufacturer for a copy of the certificate and attach it to your original buoyancy certificate. 

In South Africa a Buoyancy Certificate is required for your Jetski before you can pass a COF (Certificate Of Fitness). Manufacturers issue a vessel wide Buoyancy Certificate when the vessel is new which is applicable to all models however your unique HIN (Hull Identification Number) is printed or written onto the buoyancy certificate. Contact us if you have lost or require a new Buoyancy Certificate and we will obtain one for you. Some are charged most there is no charge Yamaha and Sea doo are available. NOTE If you have any alterations do to your Jetski which affects the integrity of the hull you may need an Independant SAMSA appointed surveyor to issue a new Buoyancy Certificate. UPDATE There was a SAMSA (South African Marine Safety Association) Marine Notice (MN18 of 2015) which now means that if you fit Tubbys, Jetwings, Fast Pods, Pontoons etc. You will need the manufacturers approval (ie Yamaha or Sea doo etc) and the Pod manufacturer ie Racetech, Jetwings, Fast Power Sports, Hooked Up Motorsports. The Marine Notice was issued in late 2015 causing confusion and immediate cancellation of SAMSA appointed agents issuing buoyancy certificates. HOWEVER common sense prevailed as December is the busiest time of the year to issue certificates and the examiners are issuing COFs with the old original buoyancy certificate until further notice. All notices can be viewed here SAMSA Marine Notices

Seadoo Buoyancy Certificate

If you require a Buoyancy Certificate for a Seadoo contact us here This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Cell whatsap Mick 072 938 1769

Yamaha Buoyancy Certificate

If you require a Buoyancy Certificate for a Yamaha contact us here This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Cell whatsap Mick 072 938 1769

Kawasaki STX-12F Wear Strip Hull Protector

Kawasaki STX-12F Wear Strip Hull Protector

We manufacture and have available a Wear Strip Hull Protector for your Kawasaki STX-12F  

Contact us for price and availability.

Kawasaki Ultra Wear Strip Hull Protector

Kawasaki Ultra Wear Strip Hull Protector

We manufacture and have available a Wear Strip Hull Protector for your Kawasaki Ultra 260 

Contact us for price and availability.

Pontoons Kawasaki Ultra Jetski Tubbys

Pontoons Kawasaki Ultra Jetski

Jetski Fishing SA is proud to announce that we now have Pontoons available for the Kawasaki Ultra Jet Ski. Pontoons have been designed to add super stability to your Kawasaki Ultra Jetski and increase your storage space. Pontoons can be easily removed in a few minutes if required with a 13mm spanner or socket. Pontoons are very stable and secure and will not create any drag in the water.

The Kawasaki Ultra Pontoons include the following.....

  • Stainless Steel Cages x2
  • Live Bait Well plumbed and ready to add Live Bait (Yellow)
  • Luna Tubes x2
  • RailBlaza rod Holders x2
  • Cup Holders x2
  • Cutting Board x2
  • Graphics x2
  • Rear Automatic Drain Scuppers x2

We also offer a range of extras like Push Bars, Extra Rod Holders, Extra Tackle Storage. Contact Mick on whatsap 072 938 1769 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*Note Pontoons for Kawasaki Ultra are custom made and the lead time is two to three weeks.*

**Overseas Enquiries contact me here This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. **

Chom Chom Roller