Fishing tackle: Rods

I would not even attempt to categorize and describe the variety of rock and surf fishing rods available on the market in South Africa, as almost all the major world manufacturers are well represented. On top of that, there are number of extremely experienced private rod builders, which can produce excellent custom build rods.

For the purpose of this blog, we will focus on type of rock and surf rods, which allow for greater versatility in use and comfort for the traveling rock and surf angler.
Gone are the days of selection of light, medium and heavy rock and surf rods by the anglers residing in the interior of the country with the introduction of “multi tip” (five pieces) rock & surf fishing rods.

Some of the master anglers still prefer the use of one piece rods, but largely the currently produced multi tip rods are of excellent quality.
Transporting of one piece rock & surf fishing rod can be a problem for many anglers residing in the interior of the country, and for those who travel by air to the coast; this may not be a viable option.

In general the selection of rod will depend on the type of fishing intended and here emphasis is made on edibles fishing and very little is mentioned on targeting sharks.

In the context of this booklet we shall refer to two major groups of rock and surf rods:

• 4 : 6 OZ and;
• 6 : 8 OZ

The categorization of these two groups of roads is done by the wait of the sinkers that the rod is designed to cast. For example, the group of 4:6 OZ multi tip rods are designed to cast:

• 4 OZ sinker on the light tip;
• 5 OZ sinker on the medium tip;
• 6 OZ sinker on the heavy tip;

The group of 6: 8 OZ multi tip roads are designed to cast:

• 6 OZ sinker on the light tip;
• 7 OZ sinker on the medium tip;
• 8 OZ sinker on the

In general the different tips are used for targeting of different species of fish and used under different sea conditions:

Light tip (4:6 OZ) may be used in estuaries and gullies for spotted grunter, black tail, karanteen and bream;

Medium tip (4:6 OZ) may be used in moderate sea conditions for shad, cob, grunter, galjoen and bronze bream;

Heavy tip (4:6 OZ) may be used for big fish - leeries, large cob, and small sharks;
If fishing when strong under - currents are present obvious use of 7-8OZ wire grapnel sinker is required and that is where the use of heavy tip on (6:8OZ) rods may be utilized.

If you intend using sliding technique with none return clip, for live bait or constructed large baits – 7 - 8 OZ grapnel sinker is required as a minimum and a rod with considerable “back bone” required.

These two main groups of Rock & Surf rods are produced mainly in 14FT, which is considerate to be the optimum length for achieving of maximum casting distance. Also it is important to mention that these types of rods are designed for use of a multiplier reels and use of coffee grinders on them is very uncomfortable, as the reel holders are placed in such way so that the reel will be fitted on top of the road and it is placed very close to the end of the rod.

Different group of rock & surf rods are the spinning rods, which are predominantly available in the following sizes:

• 11FT;
• 12FT;
• 13FT
It is important to mention that most of these rods are designed to be used with a coffee grinder type of reels and are predominantly used for targeting shad. In this booklet drop shot rods and techniques are not discussed.

If one is to select and purchase suitable rock & surf fishing rod, it is worth to visit number of fishing tackle shops, as there is a considerable difference in prices offered from one fishing tackle outlet to the next.

Some examples of good quality multi tip five piece rods available on the market, without breaking the bank if acquired are:

Shimano EXAGE AX Surf - 4:6 OZ or 6:8OZ

Blue Marlin G3 – 430 – 4:6OZ or 6:8OZ (Local is lekker)

These rods are not going to cost you an arm and a leg and will do the job well; however like with everything else in our days, there are custom rods available, for a price, and there are products which will cost you twice as much as the price of the rods mentioned above. By the end of the day it is your personal choice and preference and it is very often question of available financial resources or matter of principle, of how much you are prepared to spend and/or both.

Introduction

South Africa is blessed with climate that is conducive to angling and the South African coast line is one of the most scenic and relatively well preserved in the World.

The sunny weather, the beautiful relatively unspoiled beaches, the blue waters of the ocean and value for money accommodation provided by the variety of guest houses and hotels, are the reasons for many people from South Africa, or abroad to visit the coast and more and more of these people get introduced to rock & surf angling. All the above, combined with the growing pressures of the day to day life, contributes to the fact that rock and surf angling is becoming one of the most popular recreational activities for many people in South Africa who do not necessarily reside at the cost.

Once a member of a family is introduced to rock and surf angling, in many cases, the same families start planning their next holiday trip in accordance with prevailing weather conditions and specific species being targeted, very often for the horror and dismay of some of the family’s members. Great efforts and resources are put into the planning, organizing and preparation for this fishing/holiday expeditions by the families of the anglers and very often they return from this precious trips with no fish being caught. Some garages in Johannesburg; Bloemfontein and many other land locked cities boast rock & surf tackle arsenal, which in many cases may compete and even beat the once owned by the costal rock and surf anglers.

This blog is an attempt to point one to the suitable tackle, bait and traces that can be used successfully for targeting of some of the prevailing shore angling fishes in the coastal areas in RSA.

What is angling?

What is angling?

• Method of fishing by means of an "angle" (hook);
• Angling is a principal method of sport fishing;
• Catch and release fishing is increasingly practiced by recreational fishermen;
• Commercial fisheries also use angling methods such as longlining or trolling;
For large groups of people angling is a sport and they organize themselves in clubs and compete against each other or other clubs in accordance with specifically set rules.
For large groups of people angling is commercial activity (commercial fishing), which is fishing for profit.
For large groups of people, angling (subsistence angling/fishing) is fishing for survival.
This blog is not aimed at the above described groups of people.
The blog is aimed at specific group of people practicing Recreational fishing or fishing for pleasure.

I would like to further clarify that the blog is intended for this segment of recreational anglers, which are not so lucky to live on the coast, but equally (and some may argue, more than equally) love the ocean and the precious little time they can spend fishing - call them beginners, occasional anglers, inland based rock and surf anglers, “holiday warriors”, “vaalies” etc.

And finally, I would like to state that the blog is confined only to rock & surf angling, for edible fish using bait organisms and fish as bait.

Release the Future

Live-Release Fishing Facts

Fisheries management professionals encourage live-release fishing because it works. Scientific studies of fresh and salt water species have conclusively shown that up to 95% of fish survive when released.

Only a small percentage of fish reach spawning age. These "brood" fish are survivors and pass on healthy physical traits and important survival instincts to their young. It is important to protect these larger fish.

Fisheries managers prefer to promote voluntary live-release as an effective management tool that increases fishing opportunities and benefits fish populations.

Conservation-minded anglers have been releasing fish for over 100 years.

Your decision to keep or release can have an important effect on future fish populations.

What to Keep - What to Release

KEEP the smaller fish of the species for the table. They are easier to clean and often tastier than bigger fish.

KEEP fish that have been damaged by hooking or appear unlikely to survive.

KEEP panfish or less popular fish. They are great eating, fun to catch on light tackle and are generally more abundant.

RELEASE spawning age fish. These are the larger fish of each species.

RELEASE trophy fish ... and still have your trophy. Take measurements and photos of your prize and bring them to your taxidermist. He will arrange to create a "replica" mount which will look exactly like your fish but last much longer than the traditional "skin" mount.

RELEASE all fish you do not intend to use
RELEASE all fish under the legal size limit or over your legal possession limit.

How to Handle & Release Fish

Bring fish in quickly. Fish can become exhausted if they are on the line too long.

Unhook the fish while still in the water, wherever possible.

Use barbless hooks for easy removal. (Just pinch down the barb with a pair of pliers.)

Wet your hands before handling fish to minimize damage to their protective "slime" cover.

Do not squeeze a fish. Use needle-nose pliers for quick removal of the hook.

To prevent spinal injury to large fish, never lift them ONLY by the tail. If it is necessary to remove a large fish from the water, support them by placing one hand at the base of the tail and the other hand gently under the belly.

Never place your fingers in the gills of a fish you intend to release.

Never keep fish on a stringer if you intend to release them.