Site. Initially started in 1962, when a group of farmers decided to take a fishing break from the planting season, today nearly 600 anglers have registered so far for this year’s competition.
The Tournament is run over three days and is open to anybody (both foreigners and Zimbabwe residents) who are members of the Zimbabwe National Angling Union. Teams consist of four members each and only the Tiger fish (Hydrocynus vittatus) of a mass of 1kg or more will be eligible for the competition. A bag limit of 20 fish per team, per day is imposed by the rules. Penalties are applied should this limit be exceeded when the catch is brought to the weigh bay enclosure.
The Tiger Fish has been acclaimed as one of the most voracious freshwater sport fish in the world and is so named for its striped pattern and mouthful of vicious teeth. 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 1962 Tiger Fish record was beaten in 2002 by Jenny Daynes of Bulawayo with her catch weighing in at a monstrous 16.1kg.
Fishing in this tournament is not for the faint-hearted, and a lot of preparation is required. A number of teams will spend 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 will shoot through the roof, with any single team needing on average 80kg of Kapenta per day to bait with. During the Tournament these requirements will drop to around 25kg per day. Fuel is also a major necessity with most boats using up to 200lt of fuel per day.
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. Could this be another reason for you to take a well earned de-stress holiday to witness this event? If so, contact the Venues4Africa.com team for your accommodation options and go and experience the sheer thrill of Tiger Fever that most Zimbabweans are lucky enough to have experienced from a young age growing up with unforgettable Kariba holidays.
Venues4Africa.com
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Spurwing Island
Situated in the middle of one of Africa’s most spectacular lakes, overlooked by the majestic Matusadonna Mountain, Spurwing Island is the perfect place for a tranquil getaway for the wildlife enthusiasts and holidaymaker alike. Each of the rooms and tents enjoy scenic views over the lake Kariba, and the lush gardens provide a shady oasis in the midst of the African bush .An unobtrusive electric fence around the camp ensures the safety of the guests at all time.
What to do: Bordering the edge of the Matusadonna National Park, Spurwing Island offers a range of safaris, with its own team of experienced guides, including a scenic boat trip up the Sanyati Gorge, game viewing on foot, by boat or Landover .The wide open expanses of the lakeshore make for a photographer’s paradise. Elephant and lion are sighted regularly in the area while impala, waterbuck and zebra are among the more common inhabitants of the bush. The elusive leopard and cheetah may also be seen if you are lucky.
Lake Kariba has a reputation for being one of Africa’s better bird watching areas with over 200 species in a variety of habitats ranging from floodplain through woodland to mountain. Spurwing guides will be pleased to introduce you to this fascinating side of nature.
During the annual KITFIT Tournament Spurwing will be hosting a floating bar in the vicinity.
Spurwing offers you an African Adventure …………..
You’ll never forget the Fish Eagle’s cry
You’ll never regret the roar of lion,
You’ll always admire the elephant’s charge,
You’ll stand in awe at the breathtaking view.
You’ll definitely talk about a magical experience,
and you’ll be back for another Africa Adventure …. On Spurwing Island
October Special
Zimbabwe Residents – Z$35 736.00
South African Residents – US$107
Rates are per person per night full board excluding Parks fees, transfers and activities.
Post published in: News