Anual barbel run Okavango Delta

[Bergievisserman]

Good day everyone


It’s been a while since I lurked the forum, but the fishing bug has bitten again. Properly fortunately so will try and make an effort to post some pictures and things as my fishing expeditions start picking up.


I got confirmation today that I will be in the okavango panhandle end of September, hopefully participating in the annual barbel run and targeting the tiger fish. It has been a good few years since I caught a tiger, so dusting off the lures and tackle has raised some questions.


I only have 20Lbs braid on majority of my 3000 size reels mainly consisting of diawa procasters, laguna’s and couldn’t help myself so purchased a diawa ninja 3000 as well the other day. Various baitcasters with 20lbs braid as well as a laguna 4000 with thicker braid. Rods majority are nexave tigers, some heavy and one medium heavy. Various lures from effzetts to medium dept rapalas and deep runners. Also some worms, jig’s and all the goodies we buy when we so avidly take on new hobbies. So my questions are.


1. Is my braid heavy enough? I like fishing light but don’t want to go and waste my time on the water and leave half of the delta’s tigers with spoons and pieces of braid in their mouths
2. I would not call myself a beginner but neither am I a pro so I need easy lures with little thinking. Effzett spoons seem to pop up in most suggestions in silver and copper. Scared of that fishing bug when out there getting hit by these predators so need a dom proof lure that I can throw.
3. What thickness leader would you suggest. The heaviest I have here is the berkley fluorocarbon in 17lbs.
4. Would you trust a steal trace from the shops? And what strength and length would you recommend?


Any other tips from anyone? This should hopefully not be a once in a lifetime experience but I kind off want that bug to bite again. I’ve attached a photo of me dusting off my rods😂

[Durran]

Good day everyone



I only have 20Lbs braid on majority of my 3000 size reels mainly consisting of diawa procasters, laguna’s and couldn’t help myself so purchased a diawa ninja 3000 as well the other day. Various baitcasters with 20lbs braid as well as a laguna 4000 with thicker braid. Rods majority are nexave tigers, some heavy and one medium heavy. Various lures from effzetts to medium dept rapalas and deep runners. Also some worms, jig’s and all the goodies we buy when we so avidly take on new hobbies. So my questions are.


1. Is my braid heavy enough? I like fishing light but don’t want to go and waste my time on the water and leave half of the delta’s tigers with spoons and pieces of braid in their mouths - perfect
2. I would not call myself a beginner but neither am I a pro so I need easy lures with little thinking. Effzett spoons seem to pop up in most suggestions in silver and copper. Scared of that fishing bug when out there getting hit by these predators so need a dom proof lure that I can throw. - again perfect, I jsut replaced trebles with singles and worked well, actually i caught most big tigers on that
3. What thickness leader would you suggest. The heaviest I have here is the berkley fluorocarbon in 17lbs.- possibly go a bit thicker, 20-30lbs but should be sufficient
4. Would you trust a steal trace from the shops? And what strength and length would you recommend? - They actually work quite well, remember you only fishing 20lb braid so shop bought is sufficient

Good luck and enjoy - PS: I took a fly rod with, you eventually get bored of Tigers on EFFZETTS, was a good jol on fly!

[Half-Pint]

My only question is how you will be going to Botswana in September? At this stage borders are highly unlikely to be re-opened

[Bergievisserman]

Good day everyone



I only have 20Lbs braid on majority of my 3000 size reels mainly consisting of diawa procasters, laguna’s and couldn’t help myself so purchased a diawa ninja 3000 as well the other day. Various baitcasters with 20lbs braid as well as a laguna 4000 with thicker braid. Rods majority are nexave tigers, some heavy and one medium heavy. Various lures from effzetts to medium dept rapalas and deep runners. Also some worms, jig’s and all the goodies we buy when we so avidly take on new hobbies. So my questions are.


1. Is my braid heavy enough? I like fishing light but don’t want to go and waste my time on the water and leave half of the delta’s tigers with spoons and pieces of braid in their mouths - perfect
2. I would not call myself a beginner but neither am I a pro so I need easy lures with little thinking. Effzett spoons seem to pop up in most suggestions in silver and copper. Scared of that fishing bug when out there getting hit by these predators so need a dom proof lure that I can throw. - again perfect, I jsut replaced trebles with singles and worked well, actually i caught most big tigers on that
3. What thickness leader would you suggest. The heaviest I have here is the berkley fluorocarbon in 17lbs.- possibly go a bit thicker, 20-30lbs but should be sufficient
4. Would you trust a steal trace from the shops? And what strength and length would you recommend? - They actually work quite well, remember you only fishing 20lb braid so shop bought is sufficient

Good luck and enjoy - PS: I took a fly rod with, you eventually get bored of Tigers on EFFZETTS, was a good jol on fly!

Thanks for the reply. Will go and scout out the shops tomorrow.

[Bergievisserman]

My only question is how you will be going to Botswana in September? At this stage borders are highly unlikely to be re-opened

Hi good question. I haven’t updated my profile I live in Maun. So we don’t have any restrictions traveling in our Zone. Fortunate that I’m in the zone including the delta and Moremi Game reserve. We have no travel restrictions as well as no Corona cases here.

[CRANKMAN]

I have heard that dark coloured jigs worked slow on the bottom produce great results in the upper Zambezi - might be worth a try in the delta? I think Afrijig are the guys who specialize in these?
A small fillet added to an Effzet can help if the fishing is slow.
I would say your rods, reels and line are perfect.
I am not a fan of fluorocarbon leader - no stretch and it doesn't knot well - so I would try get some Suffix Zippy or similar mono in 30 lbs.


Enjoy, and post plenty of pictures. 

[Bergievisserman]

I have heard that dark coloured jigs worked slow on the bottom produce great results in the upper Zambezi - might be worth a try in the delta? I think Afrijig are the guys who specialize in these?
A small fillet added to an Effzet can help if the fishing is slow.
I would say your rods, reels and line are perfect.
I am not a fan of fluorocarbon leader - no stretch and it doesn't knot well - so I would try get some Suffix Zippy or similar mono in 30 lbs.


Enjoy, and post plenty of pictures. 

Thanks for the reply. We unfortunately don’t get any afri jigs in Maun, and getting anything from SA that is non-essential(even though I think fishing should become an essential service) is a big headache at the moment. I have a lot of other dark jigs will gibe them a try. Don’t think there will be a lot of fisherman this year, so hopefully they are hungry and take anything. Will definitely take a lot of pictures🤞👌

[Half-Pint]

My only question is how you will be going to Botswana in September? At this stage borders are highly unlikely to be re-opened

Hi good question. I haven’t updated my profile I live in Maun. So we don’t have any restrictions traveling in our Zone. Fortunate that I’m in the zone including the delta and Moremi Game reserve. We have no travel restrictions as well as no Corona cases here.

That explains it! Also I now hate you

[Bergievisserman]

My only question is how you will be going to Botswana in September? At this stage borders are highly unlikely to be re-opened

Hi good question. I haven’t updated my profile I live in Maun. So we don’t have any restrictions traveling in our Zone. Fortunate that I’m in the zone including the delta and Moremi Game reserve. We have no travel restrictions as well as no Corona cases here.

That explains it! Also I now hate you

Guess I’m stuck on the “right” side of the border😂

[Bergievisserman]

Spoons and poppers all now fitted with some singles. Excitement now getting real...

[Big B]

It seems you are more than well equipped, I was hoping to also to the delta  this year but as I am stuck on the wrong side of the border my plans will have to be on ice until next year.....
Enjoy your trip.