During the first week of August, a friend of mine suggested we try out bass fishing at Thulani Fishing and Leisure Resort  in Pretoria. Not someone to decline a bassing experience I agreed. This is what unfolded…

We arrived at Thulani Fishing and Leisure Resort around ten in the morning. It was a sunny day with just enough wind to remind you that spring was around the corner. Eager to test my new Zoom softbaits, I rigged a Zoom six-inch “electric blue” lizard and started working the banks.

The water was in fantastic condition, allowing me to see deep into dam and observe some well-established structures.  An overhanging bridge across the water completed a perfect picture.

It wasn’t long before I landed my first bass (and the biggest for the day) around 1kg. Confident that I had the right lure I continued, working my way from one side of the bank to the other with a degree of success.

After landing a few more from the northern bank I decided to change lures as my buddy was catching more with Zoom`s “shaky tail” junebugs. Again success. We called it a day around three with a total of 9 in just under 5 hours, we still wanted to explore Thulani a bit more before heading home.

Although the winter had taken its toll, the resort itself is in mint condition. You can see the owners is really passionate about the place. The Ablution facilities (both men and ladies) was clean and well looked after. There are picnic facilities along the riverside and a swimming pool for our warm summer days.  Thulani Fishing resort also boasts with a chalet, prefect for a weekend breakaway.

As we made our way back to the car, we past the dam one last time to take in the natural beauty, where we found a few other anglers had arrived for a late afternoon stint. Eager to pick their brains about the place, I asked them how big and often they caught here. I learned the biggest bass so far was around 3,5kg`s and there are plenty between 1-2k`gs.

Very satisfied, we left with yearning to return shortly for another day at Thulani Fishing and Leisure Resort and that elusive “big one.”