Vaal Dam on a houseboat

[Ziggy]

My daughter wants to give her partner(a keep noob)  a birthday present - a weekend on a houseboat on the Vaal dam (one of these http://www.cruise-n-snooze.co.za or http://www.oldwillow.co.za/


They are a bit pricey for her - but out of season is much cheaper - (i.e. between may to August)


Anyone know what the fishing is like on the Vaal Dam in May? Will it be way too cold to even think of going out on a houseboat/


Anyone know


Thanks

[WalkersKiller]

Early May could be quite pleasant Ziggy, June and July it gets very cold at night but its not too bad in the day, we camped in June at the Vaal last year and daytime temps were about 21 degrees. The nice thing about Winter at the Vaal, is that the wind does not pump as much as in Summer, that brings the cold and the rain... May or August should be the option I reckon...

[Ziggy]

thanks WK


And what about the fishing? Is it worth it in May? What fish are there?


I have no idea about fresh water fishing in that area, species, rigs, bait etc etc....the guy is a noob so any advice would be welcome.


I know he has a surf rod with a grinder, a drop shot rod and a surf fly rod

[WalkersKiller]

Lots of Carp, in the deeper areas you should get some during the colder months, yellowfish and mudfish, barbel are the main species with a few others in between...

If static for a while you can fish for carp and barbel in the dam during winter, but it is very important to stick to one spot, especially with the barbel in the dam as they do not move very much during winter so you need to allow them a long time to find the bait.

Carp not so much, a vaal dam or rietvlei trace can be used from the boat, an in 2 hours of fishing the same spot you should get a few fish, yellows and muddies in between that.

If spinning or fishing fly, one should use very small lures and flies to be successful in the dam during the colder months.

[Ziggy]

thanks again!