Author Topic: Zambian Tigers - January 2018 (Read 5988 times)

Slim Dusty · « **on:** January 11, 2018, 09:11:48 PM »

Well the Missus and I spoilt ourselves with a Fishing Trip up to Zambia, what a way to bring in the New Year....
All I can say is that the Missus showed me what for, she totally obliterated me with her superb catches.
The Mighty Zambezi is totally awe inspiring!

In total we spent 4 days fishing,

03.01.2018 - Wednesday
Michelle,
- 13.5lbs Tiger
- 7lbs Tiger
- 15lbs Tiger
- 11lbs Barbel

Clayton,
Blanked.....

04.01.2018 - Thursday
Michelle,
- 4lbs Tiger

Clayton,
- 8lbs Tiger
- 11lbs Tiger

05.01.2018 - Friday
Michelle,
- 5lbs Tiger
- 14lbs Tiger
- 6.5lbs Tiger
- 12lbs Tiger
- 10lbs Tiger

Clayton,
Blanked....

06.01.2018 - Saturday
Michelle,
- 6lbs Tiger
-11lbs Tiger

Clayton,
- 4lbs Tiger
- 10lbs Tiger

Having previously fished Jozini in the past years for Tigerfish, the Zambian Tigers really outdone themselves.
My Missus is totally hooked, we had not even landed back in S.A. and she was already checking bookings for another return trip.

Credit must be given to the Lodge as well, superb establishment, good food and awesome hospitality.
We will definitely be going back soon.....

FishStyx · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2018, 07:14:58 AM »

Wow... Good stuff there. Congrats to both of you, but in particular, to the missiz

SAfish · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2018, 07:22:32 AM »

Wow, awesome fish. Where did you stay?

CRANKMAN · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2018, 07:24:20 AM »

Congrats. Some brilliant fish there!

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2018, 08:26:41 AM »

Amazing fish there!!!!

HooknCook · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2018, 08:44:39 AM »

Congrats, some outstanding fish!!

CRANKMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2018, 09:16:29 AM »

Please share a bit more info on your tackle and techniques.

L Hooker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2018, 09:21:13 AM »

Thanks for sharing and congrats on some great catches

Ismael786 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2018, 09:50:01 AM »

Awesome stuff, please share where you stayed and other info that will benefit those that want to plan a trip there
Thanks

colin · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2018, 10:49:50 AM »

great report

REEFMAN · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2018, 11:10:29 AM »

Wow, some awesome fish!

Thanks for the report!

Slim Dusty · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2018, 12:57:56 PM »

The Lodge we stayed at is called Sekoma Island Lodge.
It is purely a Fishing Lodge, which caters purely for Fishermen...
Kelvin and Peter will be your Hosts.

Look them up, their website is quite informative...

As far as Tackle goes, Spinning/Lures and Flyfishing was not the order of the day, apparently it is the wrong time of the year for this type of fishing.
I gave it a go but never got a knock...

We used and caught all our Tigerfish on Deadbait, a small, rather strange looking little fish called a Bulldog...
See Pic below, still need to get photos from the missus.

The Trace was made up using a 400mm long #6(61lbs) Piano Wire Leader, using a No.0 Ball Bearing Swivel upfront and then wired to a #6/0 "Grip" Stainless Steel Single Hook (2X Heavy).
Wired from the eye of the 1st Hook, a short piece of #6 Piano Wire to a second #6/0 Single Hook (2X Heavy)
See Pic below...
Care needs to be taken to check the trailing hook Piano Wire after landing a Fish and they really give it hammering, Michelle lost a good fish due to the Piano Wire failing.

Baiting up is very much like fishing for Deep-Sea Game Fish, the first single through the mouth and up and out the top of the Head, the second single pinned nice and neatly down the side of the bait through the Skin - Fairly Simple.
The Guides recommend that you Drift your Bait well away from the boat, say about 30 odd metres.

Place your bait and Wait, however be sure to hold onto your Rod as those Tigers hit you like a Runaway Steam Train!!
One must Fish with a rather tight drag, so as to Set the Hooks, so when the Fish hits you, you need to be holding on.

These Fish really do give a spectacular acrobatic display when being fought, so make sure to keep the Rod Tip low and get it to the boat as soon as possible, whilst at the same time enjoying the absolute Adrenalin Rush pumping through your Veins.

Again, I reiterate well worth it!

CRANKMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2018, 01:00:16 PM »

Thanks for that info mate

Slim Dusty · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2018, 04:08:33 PM »

As far as Rod and Reels are concerned, nothing too fancy,

Reel - Shimano Sustain 4000, loaded with 30lb braid(Dark Green)
Rod - Shimano Beast Master - Tiger Special 7ft

FishStyx · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2018, 04:19:05 PM »

The Special Tiger is a brilliant blank but really awful guides... If you haven't already, then do yourself a favour and have them replaced with some decent Fujis. It's a rod that will last a lifetime.

dodger · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2018, 05:57:28 PM »

A great report, well done on the catches

Slim Dusty · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2018, 09:38:25 PM »

Quote from: FishStyx on January 12, 2018, 04:19:05 PM

The Special Tiger is a brilliant blank but really awful guides... If you haven't already, then do yourself a favour and have them replaced with some decent Fujis. It's a rod that will last a lifetime.

FishStyx, Have to agree with you on the Guides, really not up to standard...
If you look at them skew, they bend.
Will definitely consider the possibility of new guides.

Thanks...

Nooduck · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2018, 06:03:43 AM »

Great catches

Thank you for the report

Ismael786 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2018, 03:04:55 PM »

Thanks for all the info

colin · « **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2018, 03:49:04 PM »