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Pongola Tiger Fishing

Pongola, South Africa

R 17,999
Duration

5 Days

Couples

Family, Avid angler

Group Size

2-6 People

Season

May - October

Tiger fish are ferocious and aggressive apex predators and are hard-fighting freshwater game fish. An awesome fish to catch on light tackle and fly fishing equipment. Tiger fish are indigenous to Africa. A local name given to the tiger fish is Striped Water Dog.

During the rainy season, the dam starts colouring up with dirty run-off from the inflowing rivers, however, the water starts clearing through the winter.  As a result, fly and lure fishing have a fairly short window that is ideal. As the water starts to warm in August and September before the first rains, it is ideal for tiger fishing, in addition to the autumn when warm water clears after the heavy summer rains. However, experience showed that larger specimens are produced regularly during the winter months.

This African Colonial style lodge caters for the discerning nature lover, and its unique position on a ridge overlooking the Pongola River commands panoramic views of the reserve. It is the ideal place in which to relax and enjoy regular sightings of Hippopotamus, Crocodile and the many species of general game that are found in the reserve.

The Lodge is situated within the Pongola Game Reserve in Northern Zululand; 350 km north of Durban, 450 km south east of Johannesburg, and 270km south of the Kruger National Park. The lodge is set on a hillside overlooking the Pongola River as it lazily meanders towards the Pongolapoort Dam. We cater for the discerning nature lover offering game drives, boat cruises, guided walks and rhino tracking. 

Accommodation is in 11 twin and 2 double en-suite thatched Chalets, all with air-conditioning.

Chalets 1 to 8 as well as 10 & 11 have a river view. Chalet 9 has a bush view. Chalet 1 & 3 are smaller chalets with a Victorian style bath, hand shower and a queen-sized bed. All chalets have a veranda, mini bar fridge.  Kettle with cups on each veranda for making your own tea/coffee. 

Chalets 12 & 13 overlook a private court yard, and along with Chalets 10 & 11 share a communal fully equipped self-catering kitchen, lounge area with DSTV, small swimming pool and fire pit.

Fishing is predominantly done in shallow water and on the drop-offs near the cliffs as well as between shallow trees close to the shore.  The tigerfish patrol these shallow waters to feed on baitfish seeking refuge in the shallows near and in between the weed beds. Topwater also produces explosive strikes as well and seems to entice the larger specimens.

In the gorge, the banks are steep with a number of small bays, fishing with fast sinking lines usually performs better here, but lighter rods (6/7wt) with intermediate lines fishing for cruisers in the shallows is great fun.

There are shallow bays where the Pongola River flows into the dam with large reed beds, sight fishing with sink tip lines tends to work better here.  The northern side of the dam is in Swaziland and just south of the border is the National Park, where anglers relax and watch numerous wildlife drinking on the bank.

Fly and lure fishing for Tigerfish always requires an early start to the day, since the fish a more active during low-light conditions.  Therefore, we are on the water before sunrise, and surface action at this time can be explosive.

We have two custom-built 16ft cathedral hull skiffs with electronics including a GPS spot-lock trolling motor that allows us to drift efficiently in windy conditions and stay with the fish. The boat has customised fishing platforms to ease casting and minimise line tangles.

 

Fly Fishing

Lure Fishing

  • Rod – 6 to 8 Wt 9ft
  • Reel – 30lb Braid backing, equivalent to rod, good drag
  • Line – Intermediate and Sink Tip ( 1 each, bring an additional back up line)
  • Leader – 20 to 30lb 9ft
  • Terminal – 40lb bite wire (Knottable), No 6-8 power swivels
  • Flies – Clousers, Bait fish patterns, crease flies (Black/Red, Olive/Red, Black/Orange/Red and Brown)
  • Rod – MH to H, 7′ to 7’6″ Casting/Spinning rods with good back bone
  • Reel – 200 size baitcasting / 3000 to 5000 size spinning reel (with good drag)
  • Line – 30 to 50lb braid
  • Leader – 40lb bite wire
  • Terminal – 40lb wire bite (Knottable), No 6-8 power swivels (fast clip optional). Assist hooks #1 and #1/0
  • Lures -D.A.M Spoons/Aglia spinners, Rapalas, Skitter-V, Jigs (Black/Red, Olive/Red, Black/Orange/Red and Brown)

Have Any Question?

Please feel free to contact us should you be interested in any of our fishing trips. All packages can be customised according to your requirements. Limited spaces available.

Our Partners

Mail

info@unchartedfishing.co.za

Call

+27 73 263 3005

Location

Pretoria, South Africa, 0081

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