Times Of Swaziland: E115K ‘JACKPOT’ FOR FISHERMEN

E115K ‘JACKPOT’ FOR FISHERMEN
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Melusi Mkhabela on 04/09/2024 18:52:00


MBABANE – The Eswatini Bass Club will be hosting the Maguga Cash Challenge,
this weekend.
Eswatini Angling Association (EAA) President Derek Hopf disclosed Oracle Life is
sponsoring the winning prize money to the tune of E15 000.  The biggest prize
for a bass weighing over 5.4kg is covered by an insurance policy by United
Holdings, and it entails E100 000 for the winner. This means over E100 000 will
be up for grabs. Bass is a common name shared by many species of ray-finned
fish. “The format is a big fish format and we will reward the top 10 biggest
fish with amazing prizes valued at over E45 000,” revealed Hopf.
He further mentioned that the target species were black bass, which will all be
caught using artificial lures and kept alive to be weighed by the tournament
weight master and then released back into the water.  The EAA president also
mentioned that they were expecting a good turnout for the event, with 25 to 30
boats expected on the water and close to 60 anglers at the competition. “This
is an annual event specifically held to raise funds for the National Bass
Angling Team, which will represent Eswatini in a number of international events
in 2025,” said Hopf.
He highlighted that there would be a Masters Tournament against South Africa
(SA), in edition a two-man event. The latter event is also against SA. Another
lined-up event is the African Union Region Five against Namibia, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, SA and Mozambique. The Region Five competition will be hosted in SA.
“We are currently holding selection fish-offs, to establish a National Squad
Log, which entails rating the anglers for the above events,” he said.
Meanwhile, the entry fee for each angler is E750. Space is limited for the
competition, with a limitation of 100 anglers and a maximum of four per boat.
Accommodation is also available at the Maguga Dam Lodge, for the two-day angling
competition. Moreover, prizes will be awarded from first to fifth place; while
there will also be junior prizes for the young anglers. For further information,
interested participants are urged to contact the EAA president at Derek@AI.co.sz
or at 7602 0590.