A total of 60 anglers from several provinces recently battled it out at Vanderkloof Dam in the Northern Cape for the title of South Africa’s top artificial lure anglers.
Anglers and teams from North Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Central Gauteng and Cape Winelands competed in the South African Artificial Lure Angling Association’s (SAALAA) national championships from 5 to 10 October.
After two challenging days of team competitions, Limpopo was crowned overall winner. The anglers from Limpopo were not only the B-team winners, but also conquered the juniors’, women’s and managers’ competitions.
Northern Gauteng was crowned A-team winners, as well as champions in the masters’ and development competitions.
The competition week commenced with practice days, giving participants a chance to familiarise themselves with the vast dam and its unique fish populations. For many, it was their first time at Vanderkloof, and the long distances travelled by boat tested both endurance and strategy.
SAALAA competitions are unique: anglers must rely solely on artificial lures – soft plastics, flies, artificial baitfish and jig heads – with no bait allowed. Points are awarded based on species variety and fish size, and all fish are photographed on a measuring board before being released, ensuring sustainability and aligning with International Federation of Sport Angling in Fresh Waters (FIPSED) standards.
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Target species included barbel, carp, largemouth and smallmouth yellowfish, largemouth bass, Orange River mudfish, moggel and several kurper species. Cooler water temperatures slowed the normally aggressive yellowfish, requiring careful technique, whilst barbel and pre-spawning carp provided thrilling opportunities.
A standout surprise was the healthy largemouth bass population, with the largest tipping the scales at 3,4kg.
Anglers qualify for 2026 Protea team
Over the following two days, 22 top anglers faced off in the National Protea Trials, a gruelling individual competition to determine qualification for the 2026 Protea team. With just one angler per boat, strategy, skill and endurance were pushed to the limit.
Junior anglers fished independently, supported only by a skipper driving the boat. Competitors could catch a maximum of five fish per species, adding a strategic edge to the battle.
The three top places in the senior category were claimed by Francois Joubert, Rudolph Venter and Daantjie Botha.
The juniors’ top three places were taken by Tiano Alberts, Josh Stobbart and Christiaan Visagie.
Next nationals at Loskop Dam
The championships and trials wrapped up with a celebratory dinner at Monte Crous Hotel, where anglers shared stories of hard-fought battles, memorable catches and the camaraderie that defines SAALAA events.
The association thanks the Vanderkloof community, local accommodation establishments and the boat club for their support, with special recognition to Monte Crous Hotel for hosting all formal functions.
The next national championships will be held at Loskop Dam in 2026, promising bigger competition and even more excitement as artificial lure angling continues to grow in South Africa.
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