Hlalatu blessed by the fishing gods
PARTICIPATING in his first fishing competition, Tata Hlalatu literally learnt how to fish while competing in the 5th annual garrick fishing competition hosted by the Zululand Yacht Club from 5 to 7 October.
But he was blessed by the fishing gods, landing a 99cm garrick on the Saturday afternoon which earned the novice angler overall victory.
The fish was landed after a 20-minute fight, and was successfully released after an official measurement and quick photo were taken.
Anthony van Rooyen also had a dream competition, landing a 35cm malabar kingfish, which not only bagged him the best fish species (other than a garrick) award, but is also an unofficial South African record.
This fish’s converted weight is 0.65kg, with the benchmark based on SA records being 0.6kg.
Van Rooyen’s benchmark was 108.3% and was the first time in the competition that an angler hit an excess of 100%.
He was awarded the Best Junior award for his outstanding efforts.
Roux le Roux’s 20cm Natal stumpie bagged him the Young Guns award, with Ryan Blacker winning the Pro’s Challenge with an undersized Grunter that was released.