Baitfish vs Lures

[Hawkeye]

Baitfish vs Relevant Lures

One always hears the comment of selecting lures to "Match the Hatch". Well if you are like me and are not really familiar with the prevalent Baitfish colours you end up spending Big Bucks on "LOOK NICE' lures. :blue-mad: I read there are different baitfish in our dams but what and where? Canary kurper , Tilapia, Blue breasted curper etc and What else?? :blue-confused: I also know that the fish change colour as they get bigger.I was fishing at Loskop Dam, and one evening noticed plenty of fish 6 to 10 cm long in the grass shallows and the dam level was 100%. I could catch some by hand and checked out their all- over silvery colour. The next day the kids were having fun catching them by the dozens on earth worm. :blue-razz:
What Im trying to say is, is there information (fotos ) available where one can 1.Identify the baitfish from Juvenile to adult 2. Find out what the prevalent Baitfish are in a particular dam? And then match the relevant Crankbait, jerkbait, Plastics ect to the fish. Maybe someone can advise of a Book etc where one can find this info. There is always plenty of info on what equipment etc to use but I have yet to see any detailed info on the actual baitfish. Im not referring to the plastics that represent crustaceancs etc . Pehaps you guys have come across this kind of info .Someting else , we get a lot of imported lures (Makes) just how many of these actually suite our local conditions ?? Then again one could use anything to provoke a reaction strike out of a bass. Lets hear your advice and comments please :blue-razz:

[Ninja]

Hawkeye now this is one of the better posts that I have seen in a while, not this silly bass quiz stuff that some peole post just to get some points ...... ok Rob I'll take it like man! :blue-biggrin:

Personaly I cannot give you any answers but would love to see the responce from the guys that have been around the block. Good one!

[Hawkeye]

I notice that Basstid had a similar query :blue-idea: on His post and the guys responded with the Lures that they find works best. Like Ruffnek. I want to know "Do they match the hatch" :blue-question: What colour is "Sunfish " and what baitfish does it represent. Does the DLN Fire Tiger Gold Dust colours match the local Kurper :blue-shock: :blue-question:

[Vlam]

Canary kurpers are very yellow in colour, especially the males around spring time. Roodeplaat has a very large population of Canary kurpers and I have had great success catching Bass and Barbell on any yellow or orange lure.

I will look around if I can find some pics of baitfish, but I do think VX posted some pics of baitfish a while ago.

I only know the afrikaans names but baitfish found in GP and Mpumalanga waters include: Blou, dwerg, vlei, Rooibors and kanarie kurper. Then there are also ghieliemientjie, Glasie, muskiet vis ...bluegills are also found in KZN waters. I think I've got most of them.Ruffneck, VX some help here please !!.

[Hawkeye]

Thanks Neels..... The trouble is these Lures are catching ME the Fisherman :blue-lol: I have just added another 4 to my collection( Because Buy one get one free ) :blue-lol: and Im going to end up with trays full and have to buy More trays ( Plano Boxes )to keep them all HE HEE HEE :blue-razz: I did try however to choose the more Natural "Brown " colour

[robfisher]

quiz stuff that some peole post just to get some points ...... ok Rob I'll take it like man! :blue-biggrin:

Note taken Norkie…Dinger assault to follow… no need to be nasty just because you don’t know any of the answers! Oh and I don't need the points Dewd... currently my subscription only expires in seven years time! :blue-biggrin:

[drew]

Hawkeye.... look no further. This has already been done, but the problem is getting the cranks.... Yip, CRANKS !!
Phone XFS and ask to speak to Patrick Beney. He has sent Norman Lures photos of all our juvenile baitfish and asked them to make a range of cranks for SA waters.
They are based in Howick KZN and the number is 033 330 5024.

HOWEVER, before you get to excited, I wish you the very best of luck in getting information regarding this deal, let alone and actual lures :blue-sad: When I walked in there and inquired about it, I was told by the chap behind the counter, "Ummm now I'm confused. What are you talking about?"
When I answered, "Listen buddy, cut the cr@p. I know about the deal, and all I want to know is how I get on the order list. I know photos were sent to Norman Lures and Patrick is making a deal with them."
All of a sudden the guy knew exactly what I was talking about and then informed me that HE was the photographer who took the pics and that they were still awaiting samples.

It would be great if these lures hit our shelves, but I must say, this is certainly panning out to be one of the best kept secrets in SA bassing.... ooops wait, maybe not anymore :blue-lol:

[Riem]

I have real life pictures of some baitfish. Explain to me how to post them here and I will....

[robfisher]

Don’t worry Drew’arama… rather use a Zara Puppy because Norman Cranks don’t work anyway! :blue-biggrin:

[robfisher]

I have real life pictures of some baitfish. Explain to me how to post them here and I will....

Ruffy you need to upload them to a server on the internet somewhere and then reference the URL in your forum posting and highlight the URL and press the IMAGE button… but if I lost you at upload to server just email them to me and I’ll do it for you!

[robfisher]

And you could of course upload them to the Gallery and tell everyone to look in your gallery!

[Riem]

I can do both, but I so desperately want to explain which crank can be compared to each photo!

Why can't we paste from the gallery anymore.... :blue-cry:

[robfisher]

Email them to me and then I’ll upload them to the forum and then you can EDIT the post and type in the relevant info! Will that work for you?

Yo BM… we need an upload system for da boyz!

[Riem]

Ghielemientjie / Silver robber

These okies are common in most SA waters. They are most probably why "pearl" flukes are so popular.

Dwerg kurper / Southern mouth brooder

Dwarf kurper stick to rocky and timber cover. Close resemblance to the "perch" pattern?

Dwerg kurper

If you look closely you'll see a turqois shine on the scales. Depending on the time of year a chartreuse/blue colour is a close match.

Ghielie / Silver robber

"Pearl" or even "Arkansas shiner"or similar fluke. Some holographic jerk baits also resembles these "silver robbers".

Juvenile blue kurper

Ask yourself why you are not throuwing a purple crank bait? Purple/blue spinnerbaits are my favourites.

Redbreast tilapia

There is no doubt that the "perch" pattern used by most manufacturers is a very close match to our redbreast tilapia. Also the most common bait fish in warmer waters.


Vlei kurper / Banded tilapia

Vlei kurper are common around reeds and grass beds. Decide for yourself what colour and pattern matches this hatch the best...


Rob, did I tell you before... You da man!!! You should be crowned new master of this site... :blue-badgrin:

[Riem]

Don't forget about "baby bass", that's a sure shot any day! :blue-badgrin: