local knowledge gives Plettenberg Bay anglers the edge
ON Saturday, January 25, Plett played host to a round of the Eden Shore angling interclub league, in which 166 anglers from seven clubs throughout the district took part.
The weather gods smiled and Neptune was generous: 218 fish were caught weighing in at 7,387kg – all of which were released after being measured.
The local Plett Rock and Surf Club, which operates under the banner of the Plett Angling Association, entered three nine-man teams. Of the 7,387kg caught on the day, the Plett anglers accounted for 1,769kg – a massive team effort, with their nearest rivals on 1,563kg.
Top catches for the day included that of young Chris Bachle, who pulled out a Bronze Whaler shark of 182kg and a 156kg Black ray, while his brother Michael hooked a 208kg Ragged-tooth shark.
Other raggies caught in the competition weighed in at 220kg (E Jee), 138kg (W Wellman), 96kg (W Rap-son), and two-line specimens both caught by R French, weighing 78kg and 74kg respectively. Other fat catches included a 100kg Bronze Whaler shark (R Potgieter) and 102kg Black ray (AGifTord).
Amid all the angling action, Plett NSRI and the load lifeguards were activated when a youngster was injured on the beach in the process of returning a Black ray to the surf.
With the help of the lifeguards and thanks to swift response time and treatment on the beach by the NSRI crew, the casualty – talented junior fisherman Gabin Chabanel, 14 – was delivered to Plett Medi Clinic in no time at all.
The young patient is well on the road to recovery. We all wish him a speedy return to the beach in a few weeks’ time. Thank you, lifeguards, NSRI, and all involved -Plett rocks!