Wheeler Catches Biggest Tiger
Source: The Herald (Harare)
Date: 27 October 2006
Author: Costa Mano
150 boats last week converged on the mighty Lake Kariba to compete in the 45th Kariba Invitational Tiger Fish Tournament with Charter X being dethroned by Remmington Gold and Ian Wheeler catching the biggest tiger.
Remmington Gold was presented with the Dryden Trophy by South African rugby legend Skalk Burger after scoring 160 points. ULTC Mainstay Frontline came second with 136.5. The 2005 champion Charter X came third after scoring a commendable 135.9 points and it was ironic that the trophy they received was donated by Remmington Gold.
Mr Wheeler could not get the Nissan Champ for the largest catch with his 8,1-kilogramme fish as the Nissan wanted the largest fish to be over 11 kilogrammes.
Zimbabwe was well represented with teams coming from different parts of the country some from as far as Beitbridge. South Africa and Zambia had 13 teams taking part.
The tournament, which remains one of the largest single species fresh water angling competition in the world, ran from the 18th and to the 20th. They were three days of exhilarating competition in the scorching heat of Kariba.
Initially started in 1962, when a group of farmers decided to take a fishing break from the planting season, the event saw nearly 600 anglers taking part.
Teams consisted of four members or less and only the Tiger fish of a mass of one kilogramme or more was eligible for the competition and a fish that weighed less attracted a spot fine of $10 000.
Casting a rod as the sun rises or sets on Lake Kariba is an unforgettable experience for any fisherman who has had the pleasure of taking part in the tournament. The spectacle of over 600 anglers and 150 boats congregating at the imaginary start line between Zebra Island and the Charara Point awaiting the 6am signal flare to start the three day fishing battle is a spectacle not to be missed.
Lake Kariba is the ultimate place in Africa for sport angling offering unparallelled adventure and interaction with Africa's wilderness.
Today's sport fishing at Kariba is the best in Africa for visitors. Those who converged at the Charara Campsite for the tournament had an experience of a lifetime.
"I didn't know the tournament was this good especially with all the media reports we hear of the country's problems especially when it comes to the fuel situation and it is my hope that I'll return next year with son to compete," said Skalk Burger.
The most notable resident fish species in the lake, the tiger (hydro vittatus), has become the premier game fish in Zimbabwe. Likened to the saltwater bonefish in looks as well as performance, it is acclaimed as one of the most voracious fresh water sport fish in the world.
Named for its stripped pattern and bristling mouthful of vicious teeth, the tiger's predatory nature, lightning speed and tendency to "tail walk" across the water when hooked makes it a worthy adversary.
Techniques for catching the Tiger Fish include spinning with lures and plugs, drifting with live bait and using Kapenta as bait. A wire trace is an essential requirement as the teeth are very sharp and will make short work of any nylon fishing line.
The biggest catch to date was caught by Jenny Daynes in 2002 with her catch weighing in at a monstrous 16,1 kilogram-mes.
Fishing in this tournament is not for the faint-hearted, and a lot of preparation is required. A number of teams spent two weeks prior to the tournament baiting their favourite site and scouting for new ones to catch the elusive record Tiger fish.
Kapenta fish demands for this event shot through the roof, with any single team needing on average 80 kilogrammes of Kapenta per day to bait with. During the Tournament these requirements dropped to around 25 kilogrammes per day. Fuel is also a major necessity with most boats using up to 200litres of fuel per day.