Hook yourself N$40 000

The 35th annual Henties Bay Angling Bonanza with over N$10 000 in cash prizes, is hosted by Swakopmund’s Penguin Angling Club (PAC) on 26 December from the Henties Bay Golf Estate parking area.

The event fully adheres to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources' official rules and regulations.

The biggest draw card for this competition which has consistently attracted more than 1 000 anglers is the lucrative cash prizes that are up for grabs.

“This year's Bonanza fish prize is the biggest yet along the Namibian coastline, with N$40 000 cash for a single fish,” PAC chairperson and event organiser Allan Langenstrassen said. “The event is deemed one of the biggest fishing events along the Namibian coastline. The tournament usually attracts around 1 500 anglers and starts at sunrise until 16:00, and the competition area stretches from Sandwich Harbour to the Ugab River.”

PAC is a non-profitable affiliate of the Namibian Sports Association and the customary year-end event is being hosted to maintain the annual PAC Bonanza legacy. Angling competitions usually cater for edible and inedible fish with awards for only the heaviest fish in all categories. “We considered adding a category for sharks this year but abandoned this due to the enormous amount of technicalities that comes with such a move. Sharks needs to be released after they are caught. We will look at the necessary aspects, required controls and draw up a plan of action for next years event."

This year's competition includes a beer tent with a live band performing throughout the day. “PAC will use the proceeds of the event to support its anglers in the participation and development of the organised Namibian Sport of Angling on club, national, and international levels.”



Last year’s winners

When Terrance Peterson arrived with his 18,195kg steenbras caught at Mile 87, it remained in first place on the leader board until it was confirmed as the winner of the 34th Henties Bay Angling Bonanza, earning him N$20 000.

He caught it early in the day and with his second cast. His first cast baited with octopus and pilchard landed him a small sand crab. Once he removed it, his second cast produced the winner.

The winner of the steenbras category was C. Lesh with his fish weighing in at 12,270kg. He caught it at Winston. The top three steenbras’ combined weight was 36,125kg, and with the bonanza steenbras, this fish species dominated the scales with a combined weight of 54,32kg.

The prize for the winning kabeljou went to Werner Redelinghuys with his fish of 17,990kg, missing the bonanza prize by less than 200g. Redelinghuys reeled in his kabeljou at Baklei Gat. The combined weight of the top three kabeljou was 48,82kg.

The winning galjoen was caught by Hentie Schreder (1,675kg) landed at Mile 30, while J. de Jager caught the largest Dassie tipping the scale at 1,945kg. Gideon Lubbe impressed with a late entry for the largest game fish, dominated by shad until about 15 minutes before the scales were closed at 16:00. He caught a 1,935kg leervis near the Swakopmund pump station at Mile 7. The winning barbel belonged to young De Wet, a 0,5kg catfish.



Prize Structure

1. Bonanza fish (biggest fish of the day): N$40 000

2. Kabeljou: First: N$10 000; Second: N$5 000; Third: N$3 000

3. Steenbras: First: N$10 000; Second: N$5 000; Third: N$3 000

4. Galjoen: First: N$10 000; Second: N$5 000; Third: N$3 000

5. Dassie: First: N$10 000; Second: N$5 000; Third: N$3 000

6. Barbel: N$1 000

7. Game fish: N$1 000