Newbie in Somerset West

[PjT]

Hi guys (and girls?)

Moved down from Northwest to Somerset West in August 2010, started at a new job in Stellenbosch! Thusfar it is aaaawesome!

Only started my luck at bass-fishing few months before we moved down, so luck is still big part of my strategy.

Have fished a couple of small dams (on wine farms etc.) in the area, but planning on going to a more bass-orientated venue in the near future. Was thinking about Mofam.
Had lengthy e-mail discussion with a lady at the venue to get all the details: sounds like a MUST visit! Especially due to the boat-hire option they offer. (Can come in quite handy if you don't have your own "water-wheels" you know!).

Read some posts on the venue, and seems to be good! Read on their website they have Autumn competitions that's now in full swing. Anyone that took part in one of these weekends yet?

Also, would like to know more about the electric/battery operated bass-boats thay rent out: size, roomy enough for two tall/skinny men, and maybe a pic or two?

Lastly, I have a pic of my PB so far in the beautiful province of Western Cape. Caught at a private guesthouse (in smallish dam) just outside Stellenbosch, BUT alas, work blocks all picture hosting websites!! grrr! So if you really interested, give me a mail address and I'll mail them to anyone who can post it.

Other than that, hope to see you guys (and girls) on the water soon, and obviously for a cold one on the banks thereafter!

Pieter

[Southpaw]

Hey PjT,

Welcome to the WC!
You are in a lekker area, close to a number a good dams.
In my opinion Mofam is worth every cent you pay. I have fished a number of the comps and managed to win one.

You can also try Eikenhof which is close to Grabouw. You can fish from the bank quite easily there.
Im told you can fish at Ongegund, Ive never been there so wont comment on how the fishing is there.

[PjT]

Hi Southpaw,

Thanks for the welcome... and I agree; have "landed" in a nice area!

Heard about Eikenhof, never been there.

Have been to Ongegund;They have two small dams; think they use it for irrigation on the vineyards. Lodge owner told me they are fully reliant on rain to fill it up.
When we were there about month or so ago (after the dry summer) the lower one was almost empty, and the top one was medium.
Saw the "feeshies" swimming around in this one, but reeds and plants made it almost impossible to fish from the side when the water-level is low.
will def go there again once we had decent rain.

The wife caught her first bass there (not massive, but very good condition) and could not stop boasting...as that was the only catch for the day! :blue-redface:

Been to couple other smallish dams in the area, including helervue dam (in somerset west) but could only get a small-medium catfish! :blue-shock:
Yup; caught Mr. Whiskers on a baby fluke! But that was it... yet to get a bass there.
ALOT of babies swimming around, struggling to get their "jaws" around the bait, but no Daddy / Mommy yet. :-(

Convinced a friend of mine here in Stellenbosch (with minimal motivation obviously!) to also try his hand at bass...
Now: he is hooked. So we're definately gonna give Mofam a try on a rent-a-boat asap....

[bassmaster]

Howzit PjT

Welcome to the site. As Southpaw says, Mofam is one of the best places to go fishing in the western cape and has some awesome fish in it! I have caught my fair share of pigs there and seen many more.

Im sure you will find loads more venues to fish and maybe soon you can get a spot on a boat, the guys on this site are very helpful and friendly in that way.

Enjoy being part of the community and enjoy the website.

See you on the water sometime soon I hope.

:blue-cool:

[Navrik]

Welcome to the site PjT

We look forward to your photos and report backs. Hopefully your own set of "water wheels" are not too far away.

Although I have not been to Mofam yet it definately sounds like a place that is worth the visit. Apparently they cater for the ladies as well if you want to make more of just a fishing trip out of it.

[BellaMia]

Hi!
we fish at Eikenhof dam quite often, as Headbutt is a member of the Elgin Country Club (sounds larney, hey!). it is in Elgin country, and although the fish are small, the fishing is good, and it's a fantastic way to spend a morning or late afternoon. As for the girls on this site, we rock totally, so tell your wife to get typing. :blue-lol: :blue-lol: :blue-lol:

[Mick]

Hi PjT

Have you been to Ongegund lately? I am looking for fun places to take my kids.

Also, if you have not yet been to Mofam, you definately must make a trip out there!!!

[Valrath]

Best place for kids would be Eikenhof. They will catch plenty of small fish.

[Mick]

Which side at Eikenhof is better, left from the clubhouse or to the right?

[Headbutt]

with the boatsheds behind you, it's better to walk right. that way round (anti-clockwise) the shelving is steeper and it's an easier walk to the dam with good fishing under the wall.

[SteveO]

I went fishing at Ongegund on Friday and Saturday. Now that was fun! Some of the fish was still in post-spawn, others were guarding teh small fry, and even a couple that were hanging in the structure waiting for an opportunity to have a go at fry that was a bit bigger already. Had to work hard for a couple guarding the nest as they were reluctant to bite, but a junebug brushhog got them in the end. Had a couple of amazing reaction strikes. I placed a silwer jerkbait in the right places and boy oh boy did they go for that! All the fish caught was size ranging between 1kg and 1.5kg. But these fish put up a heck of a fight! Four decided they did not want to be caught, tail walked and shook my bait out. Definitely worth paying 40 bucks. At the moment its best to slow fish the banks, I did not get a single hit in the deeper waters.