Latest news with #JohanBezuidenhout
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Phalaborwa and Tzaneen anglers dominate the leaderboard
LIMPOPO – Two Phalaborwa anglers claimed first and second place, while a Tzaneen local took third, during the final Northern Small Craft League 2025 event on Saturday, August 2, at the scenic Klaserie Dam. With just a few points separating the top five contenders, the final competition promised excitement, and it certainly delivered. The weekend began with a relaxed braai and pre-competition briefing on Friday evening at the Klaserie campsite. Spirits were high, but so was the tension, as anglers discussed strategy and braced themselves for the biting cold front sweeping through the region, conditions known to make fishing significantly more challenging. Despite the chill, 24 determined anglers launched their crafts shortly after 06:00 on Saturday, each hoping to climb the season leaderboard. Remarkably, 16 of them managed to land full bags of five keeper fish, a testament to both their skill and Klaserie Dam's continued reputation for quality fishing, even under adverse weather conditions. The leaderboard was tight, with many fish measuring around the 30cm mark. However, the top five finishers pulled ahead with significant margins. The gap between first and fifth place stood at an impressive 44cm, proving that Klaserie can still produce standout catches when it counts. T O P P E R F O R M E R S : First place: Lourens Matthysen – 216cm Second place: Johan Bezuidenhout – 200.5cm Third place: Jacques Louw – 181cm Bezuidenhout not only secured second place but also landed the biggest fish of the day, a stunning 2.8kg bass measuring 57cm. On the lighter side, Leon Grobler earned a prize for the smallest fish, a modest 18cm specimen. League organisers extended heartfelt thanks to all sponsors who supported the 2025 season. 'We truly appreciate every single cent that went into making this league a success,' said Derick du Bruyn. Next, the focus shifts to the national tournament, which will be held at Clanwilliam Dam from September 24 to 28. The top 12 anglers from the 2023–2024 season will travel nearly 4 000 km round-trip to represent their province and compete against four others for national honours. The organisers welcome any contributions from individuals or businesses willing to support the team's national journey. The schedule for the 2026 season will be released soon. Those interested in joining the Northern Small Craft League can contact Derick de Bruyn at 083 605 5612 or follow the Facebook page, Northern Small Craft League, for updates and registration information.
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hoedspruit anglers compete in chilly showdown
HOEDSPRUIT – Two anglers from Hoedspruit joined 23 others in braving an icy morning on Saturday, July 5, for the seventh leg of the 2025 Northern Small Craft League season. The event was held at the scenic Ebenezer Dam, a popular winter fishing spot known for its early morning mist and stunning sunrise views. While the cold kept some anglers in bed, the 25 who registered were hopeful that the winter chill would deliver good bass fishing, as it often does at this time of year. However, the fishing proved more challenging than expected. Only nine anglers managed to land a full five-bass limit. Despite the tough conditions, the competition was tight at the top. Johan Bezuidenhout continued his impressive season by taking first place with a total length of 162.5 cm. He was closely followed by Jacques Louw from Tzaneen with 161.5 cm, while Adriaan Joubert secured third place with 160.5 cm, also maintaining a strong run this season. Bezuidenhout also landed the biggest fish of the day, a 44 cm largemouth bass, which helped secure his win. The largest smallmouth bass, measuring 34 cm, was caught by Johan Smith. Meanwhile, the smallest catch of the day, a mere 16.5 cm, was reeled in by his brother, Theuns Smith. The final leg of the season will take place on August 2 at Klaserie Dam, where the race for Angler of the Year is heating up, with the top two contenders running neck and neck. For more on the league, contact Derick de Bruyn at 083 605 5612. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
