Berkley Inanda Bass Classic

The Inanda Bass Classic was first started in 1998. It started in a modest way and was held in winter fulfilling what we all thought was a need for a winter tournament.  Only 204 bass were caught by 365 anglers, and thinking again we moved the dates earlier when the water and weather was warmer and the fishing better, this proved more popular and has steadily grown each year, until we had to introduce a boat limit of 300 boats with as much as several hundred anglers.

The “Inanda Bass Classic" angling tournament is scheduled for the end of April each year as this period offers two public holidays which helps with the planning and execution of the tournament.  Friday the day before each tournament is show, registration and set up day, with boats and fishing related equipment all on display and up for sale, in the huge marquee especially erected for the event. Competitors complete their registration and prepare for the early morning start the following day.

A festive atmosphere is experienced in the giant marquee with full fast food catering provided for those in need!  The bar providing ice-cold liquid refreshment for the thirsty. Inanda bass classic hats, caps, and “T” shirts are on sale. Fishing tackle and goods are also on sale at the fishing shops in the marquee, the large array of prizes and the fantastic Rebel boat and Yamaha motor first prize are also on display for all to see.

The captains meet is held at 7pm on the Friday evening in the main marquee with all the anglers and crew assemble to hear timing rules and a briefing on the tournament. This is followed with something to eat and drink a few stories and then off to bed to get a good nights rest for the big day ahead.

This event now in its 15th year attracts competitors from all over South Africa and further a field; it is one of the largest in South Africa and is held as a fund raising event for the natal coastal clubs, senior and junior angling teams. The first 600 competitors receive high quality “T” shirts, and commemorative cloth badges.  Each boat receives a goody bag, with assorted gifts from our sponsors. Stunning raffle prizes usually in three wheelbarrows full of goodies are waiting for the lucky winners to wheel away.

Advertising is done by radio announcements, newspaper adverting, fishing magazines and with entry forms and posters in all the main fishing shops,

Security The security situation at Inanda is as good as anywhere is!  Nevertheless, everyone is urged to be vigilant at all times. Safeguard your valuables and do not leave items laying around lock them in your cars.  We have asked hillcrest police and the army for their assistance at the event and they have done us proud at all past events.  We suggest travel in close convoys in and out of the valley.

Camping at Inanda is very pleasant but facilities do come under pressure during the competition, tented accommodation, bank sites and electrical sites are soon booked up but many other sites are still available and we have never had a full camping area.

Fishing licences and boat registration can all be done at the dam site offices this is a tournament requirement. If required visitors from far a field ask for a weekend package only.

Slip ways There are 3  concrete slip ways none of them are steep and handle all launching adequately, please prepare your boats for launching before getting on to the slip way this minimizes the time launching.

Fire Everyone is urged to be careful with their campfires and extinguish them after use. Please be Careful.

300 boat limit The 300 boats and anglers are the limit we can comfortably accommodate.  The dam we feel can handle this amount of anglers. Any increase in boats would make everything more difficult and take a lot longer to handle.

Bank numbers have been carefully placed at regular spacing along the shoreline at the campsite frontage each boat has been allocated a number on entering and this is his start position on both mornings. Numbers are positioned with odd numbers to one side and even numbers the other, the low numbers starting in the centre where the event begins.

Boat live wells are checked by an official who moves ahead of the start official. His job is to check all boat live wells and ensure they are empty, please have your live wells ready for inspection and any other container he wishes to inspect.

Starts have been carefully planned to efficiently release boats in a safe orderly manner they begin at the exact stated times, a parachute flare and boat horn signals the start.   No one is allowed to leave the bank until they are given their plastic numbered disc by the start official, this disc number is the same number as the boat number given at registration.
These starts have been rehearsed and planned carefully and we pride ourselves on getting everyone off the bank inside 15 minutes. The start begins in the centre of the boats on the bank and works its way outwards, this is the same for both days.
This system of starts eases the congestion at the exit gate. 

Finishes The event finishes at exactly the times laid down write down these timings and do not forget them.  All boats and anglers must be on the bank and their boat discs on the disc board at close times. Discs not in place at closing times will result in disqualification of anglers and the boat partners catch for that day. Please give yourself plenty of time to return to the weigh site in time to place your boat disc on the board.

No wake area The no wake area exists from the bank to the line of yellow marker buoys on either side of the start gate.

Passing at starts No one is allowed to pass the boat in front of him during the slow idle speed to the exit gate. Only idle speed is allowed in the no wake area this side of the buoys.

Discs The boat disc is very important as without it you are disqualified it is your permission to fish and means you have followed the correct procedures.  Do not forget to put your disc on the correct board and in the correct position or you will be disqualified

Disc boards There are two disc boards, one for even numbers and the other is for odd numbers. It is important to put your disc on the correct board. These boards are closed and locked at fishing session closing times and any late comers are disqualified of all that days fish.     (Please remember to carry out this very important function.)

Late starter’s Late entrants must report to the weigh tent where they will have their live wells checked before being given their discs and allowed to leave the bank.

Finishes At the end of each fishing session the most important thing a competitor must do is place his boat disc on the disc boards in its correct position and correct board, this signifies he is on the bank and has finished fishing.  A missing disc will cause concern, as it will now be thought he has broken down and a search will be carried out. This is why we ask for cell numbers on your registration form so we can contact you.

The weigh site Strategically placed on the bank of the dam, handles the hundreds of bass that are caught, efficiently handles weighs and releases the bass back into the dam.  Special aerated release tanks that have pumps that draw cooler water from deep in the dam help the bass to recover before they swim away, special chemicals and coarse rock salt are also used to improve the fish’s chances of recovery.

Weigh scales are electronic and capture the fish weight before being released, these weights are recorded on competitor weigh sheets and signed by the competitor before being entered on to the computer where final calculations are made.

Weigh bags There are special weigh bags provided to carry your bass from your boat to the weigh site fill the bag with enough water to keep your fish alive during the weigh procedure. These bags can be found at the weigh site with the weigh
Master do not use your own bags or you could be disqualified, the bags available help us control the anglers coming to the scales and help eliminate too many anglers and bass waiting in the queue, the bass is more comfortable in your live well than in a bag.

Qualifying bass All bass must be of a minimum of 30cm alive and in good condition to qualify for weighing, bass are deemed alive if they are gilling on their own in water,  the final decision as to whether the bass qualifies is with the weigh master his decision is final and no discussion will be entertained.  All bass will be released after weighing.

Bass limits Only three bass per angler per day will be weighed in this tournament, Only the largest bass to count.  Qualifying bass must measure 30cm. Do not bring under size fish to the scales.

Handling bass please handle your bass with care and consideration treat them carefully and weigh them in as soon as possible the weigh site is open all day for this reason.  Bass in your live well are stressed so release them as soon as possible

Live wells all boats must have a live well to carry all bass back to the weigh site.   It must be able to comfortably carry 3 bass for each competitor on board. The water must be changed periodically and kept fresh and cool fishing is only from boats and boat live wells are a requirement to keep the bass alive and in good condition.

The competition is for the largest bass and the heaviest bass qualifies for the main boat prize many other prizes are up for grabs even as far down to the 25 place. Categories for ladies and juniors are catered for.

Ties In the event of a tie the second heaviest fish in the competitor’s bag will decide the winner. This not being able a flip of a coin will decide the winner

Lady or Junior winner Should the main prize be won by either, the first lady or junior, the category first prize will be given to the second place in that category.

2 man team prizes are up for grabs the first three team places will qualify for cash prizes.

Main Prize A bass boat and motor mounted on galvanized trailer valued at approx R200.000.
This prize will go to the competitor who weighs in the largest bass during the tournament.

Team Prize The team prizes will be calculated as follows: Only the largest Bass per team member per day will be used in the final calculation.

Other prizes Many other prizes are available and include, sneaker motors, depth finders, gps’s, camping equipment, fishing tackle, electrical goods and many other fabulous prizes. Ladies and junior’s qualify for all main prizes and extra prizes as well spot prizes and raffles round off the prize giving.  

The "Berkley Inanda Bass Classic Committee" recognizes and is indebted to all its helpers and assistants in helping to run this yearly event without their generous contribution running this event would not be possible.   We also recognize and appreciate all our generous sponsors who participate and donate our many prizes and finally you the competitor for entering our competition for without you we do not have an event.  Thank you to all of you for your valuable contributions.

The "Berkley Inanda Bass Classic Committee" have planned and worked long and hard to prepare this tournament making sure everything is in place and ready for the great day.  We look forward to welcoming you to the Inanda Bass Classic with all the top anglers in the country. This is a tournament not to be missed by anyone with a love for bass fishing in Natal’s premier basin waters (the dragon dam) there are plenty of camping sites available with plenty of room for everyone at the Msinsi Mahlabathini camp site which have the usual toilets and showers for your convenience.  Entries close at 300 boats so please get your entry in soon. Entry fees for 2012 are R600 per person and entry forms are available at all leading fishing stores country wide, we all wish you luck and good fishing, remember to act and fish as sportsmen and help us make this a memorable and enjoyable event.

For further enquiries, please contact:
Ken Ainslie    (Tournament Chairman)  
031 - 3010404   

Thank you      Ken Ainslie