LOSKOP ON ARTLURE – Something Special

WORDS: Daantjie Botha IMAGES: Supplied

With 2024 almost done and dusted, the Salmo Artlure Club in Pretoria, made their way to Loskop Dam to fish their last club competition for the year on the weekend of 1-3 November. The final competition of the year is traditionally held at Loskop, and a family style weekend is made of this occasion – with friends and family members all joining in and creating some fond memories and enjoying the time together as a club.

Marulani Kloof Mountain Lodge served as the weekend base, offering various chalet options and camping spots. Most anglers and their families arrived on Friday, with many spending part of the day on the water, scouting patterns and hotspots. Unlike provincial or national events, club competitions at Salmo focus on camaraderie and knowledge-sharing, which is why pre-fishing is permitted in the days before the competition.

Early on, it became clear that anglers would need to think creatively to catch Loskop’s famed trophies. The dam level was at about 80%, with much of the prime shoreline structure far from the waterline. Spots that had produced in recent memory were no longer accessible, requiring some out of the-box thinking. The first good rains had yet to fall, and a heatwave was in full swing, making some species challenging to target. By Friday evening, most anglers had arrived, sharing tips and strategies around the braai fires to prepare for the competition.

The safety briefing and captains’ meeting took place at 6:30 on Saturday morning, with around 30 anglers participating. Some anglers stayed at Forever Loskop Dam and drove over to Marulani in time for the briefing and start. By 7:00, everyone was off, ready for a long day on the water.

In Artlure fishing, the goal is to catch as many different species as possible on artificial lures within a set timeframe. Planning a route and adapting as conditions change throughout the day are essential for success, as anglers can’t spend too long on one species without potentially missing out on others. Effective time and conditions management are crucial.

In the early hours, many anglers targeted Silver Catfish (Makriel) and Papermouth, which are typically more active in the cooler morning temperatures. These species can be caught on small in-line spinners and small crank/jerk baits, with rattle traps being effective for Silver Catfish.

Other anglers drove to secluded bays further down the dam in search of Carp and Barbel. In Loskop’s clear water, sight fishing is key, as carp and barbel can be seen basking and feeding when the water is calm. A Sada leadhead with a curly tail trailer is pitched behind the fish and reeled in quickly, placing the lure directly in its path. Carp and barbel often respond with an aggressive strike, resulting in a strong fight. Sight fishing, however, requires spotting fish before they spot the angler, as any sudden movement will spook them. As the wind picks up, sight fishing becomes nearly impossible, and anglers must switch to targeting other species.

Once the morning species were caught, many anglers turned their attention to Loskop’s prized Blue and Redbreast Kurper. During October through December, these Kurper species are often in nesting and spawning phases and are especially territorial. Artlure anglers use small minnow imitation lures, like Sensation Ghieliemientjies and Salmo Minnows, to entice them. While these Kurper may not be actively feeding, they will chase “intruders” near their nests. It requires patience, as a Kurper will eventually strike when it feels the lure has lingered too long.

The day saw many trophy catches, including Redbreast Kurper over 1kg and Blue Kurper surpassing 2kg. Several anglers achieved personal bests. Artlure anglers take great care in handling these trophies, carefully measuring and then releasing them back to their nesting sites to minimize disruption. Within minutes, released fish can often be seen patrolling their territories once again. It is a win-win for anglers who cherish the thrill of catching a trophy fish and celebrating it with a picture, but also letting nature continue to produce these special fish for future generations. No Kurper mortalities or injuries were reported on the day.

Throughout the day, anglers also found time to target Bass, Vlei Kurper, Dwarf Kurper, River Sardine, Dwarf Tigerfish, and Ghieliemientjies. Time management was key, especially with Bass being challenging to locate post-spawn. Nonetheless, anglers managed to land specimens around 1.5kg-2.5kg on in-line spinners, fluke, and Senko plastic imitations. Vlei and Dwarf Kurper were elusive, preferring cover that was scarce due to low water levels, but some anglers succeeded in tracking down these tricky species. Schools of River Sardine were spotted in inlets and deep bays, with Dwarf Tigerfish gathering nearby. A No. 30-32 hook with plastic powerbait was effective for catching them.

While the Silver Catfish bite was slow in the early morning, it improved dramatically by late afternoon. Anglers who targeted them later were rewarded with hard-hitting specimens that struck micro crankbaits and in-line spinners. The Silver Catfish is known for its pound-for-pound fighting power, and many believe it offers one of the best challenges among South Africa’s indigenous freshwater fish. An inattentive angler could easily lose their grip as a Silver Catfish strikes!

The competition concluded at 17:00, with sunburned but cheerful anglers returning to submit their measuring forms and competition tags. A refreshing swim in the pool at Marulani Kloof Lodge was followed by a group braai. Tales of triumph, heartbreak, and the classic “one that got away” were shared around the fires.

A total of eight species were caught over the course of the day. Francois Joubert won the All-Species facet, with Izaan Joubert and Eddie van Niekerk rounding out the top three. In the Large Species facet, Daantjie Botha took first place, with Andre Pienaar and Bernard Venter placing second and third.

This competition closed another successful year for the Salmo Artlure Club. Despite challenges such as a tough economy, pollution, and illegal netting in South Africa’s freshwater bodies, the Salmo Artlure Club continues to grow, offering a welcoming community for anglers interested in competitive artlure angling. Those interested are encouraged to visit the Salmo Kunsaas Klub Facebook or Instagram pages for more information.

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