It’s comp time again - finally!! After way too long dealing with Covid19 and Monkey Pox we can get our competitive juices flowing again and get out on the water chasing some croc size Cuta in the Cuta Grandslam competition being held in Bilene in September with some amazing prizes on offer as well as the bragging rights that come with winning a comp like this.
If you want to try and give yourself the best opportunity of doing well in an event like this there is no substitute for being properly prepared. In this article I would like to take you through how I prepare for a species specific jet ski competition and hopefully give you some tips on how to target that big Cuta.
As with every road trip to a holiday or fishing destination you need to firstly make sure your towing vehicle and trailer are properly checked and serviced. Nobody wants to have vehicle issues before you’ve even arrived at your destination. Make sure that you have your trailer’s wheel bearings checked and be sure they are adequately greased. I have discovered an amazing grease made by Lubrication Engineers that has outlasted anything else I have used especially as we are constantly pulling our trailers through beach sand and salt water. And while you’re at it I can highly recommend their vehicle engine oils too, both for petrol and diesel engines. This is top grade oil and will seriously extend the life of your engine and working parts. They are about to launch an aerosol version of their Corrosion X which in my opinion is the best corrosion blocker and water repellent available. It both seals and repels moisture thereby preventing rust and moisture related electrical issues. I currently use it on my entire engine and engine bay and everything looks like new.
On the rods and tackle side you need to determine what style of fishing you want to do and work out a game plan around that. For me going into a “biggest Cuta” comp like this I have predetermined that I will need to target them both on live and dead bait as well as some artificials. So with this in mind my tackle will consist of three trolling rods with multiplier reels spooled with ,52mm line and 7m of ,70 fluoro leader to pull lures early on and one rigged with a live bait trace ready to pin a live bait should I manage to get one. These can obviously double up as dead bait rods by changing the traces. I will also take a “flick stick” along with a 5000 size reel rigged with a small spoon ready to throw at bait balls in the hope of catching a live bait and pin it straight away on the rod I have ready with the live bait trace. I always take along a heavy popping rod rigged with an 8000 size reel with 50lb braid and .70mm leader and a stick bait or popper to throw around the bait balls. And then finally I always have a jigging rod with me to do some bucktailing and jigging. For this I prefer a 7’0ft Assassin jigging rod and 6000 size reel.
Live bait would always be my first choice when targeting big fish and in this comp and I would consider a live Bonito a guaranteed bite. But as I can’t be certain to catch a Bonnie I will always take some mackerel and sardines along as back up.
Ideally I would like to get up to Bilene a few days before the competition starts and try and get in a few days fishing to try and sound around my gps marks and see where the fish are holding and see what they are feeding on. Always ask around and get some gps marks from guys that have fished the area before. At this particular competition there will be some information given out to the anglers beforehand so that is a bonus. But there is nothing better than getting a mark for a secret “honey hole” from a mate kind enough to share.
My typical approach for each day would be to pull some lures in my favourite colours over the areas I feel will be holding Cuta. Depending on the results I will change over to bait at around 8.30 and work the area as long as I’m seeing the right showings on my finder or getting results.
Often in a place like Bilene you will come across big flocks of birds diving on bait balls and shoals of Tuna. If you are lucky enough to find one then try and stay with them and fish around the edges both with bait and by throwing some lures and stick baits.
If in doubt and you need some advice then Oom Piet and Piet jnr at Highlander Lodge will be more than happy to give you some pointers and guide you in the right direction. They are amazing hosts and have a beautiful lodge. Even if you are not fishing in this particular competition try and make an effort to get up to Bilene and go fishing.
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Photo credit Neo Saraiva Extreme Fishing Africa
Article Mark Reeves Extreme Fishing Africa