Fanie’s love for fishing started young, when he reeled in a whopping 3kg galjoen (black bream or blackfish) on his first trip with his dad and uncle! For him it’s more than just a peaceful (mostly!) nature escape; strategy is key to a successful catch. Unlike hunting, anglers target a variety of species, and knowing their habits is essential.
Fanie says that if you want a challenge and a true appreciation for the sport you have to forget fancy clothes and focus on the skills that reel in the real trophies. It’s not the fanciest gear that matters, but the angler behind it.
- What is your full name and surname?
Stephanus Petrus Fourie (Fanie) - Date of Birth
31 January 1958 in Dist. Malmesbury - Current career
Retired - Since when have you been fishing?
1964. - Why did you start fishing?
My dad and uncle took me the first time and I caught a 3kg galjoen (black bream or blackfish) – and I was hooked for life! - What do you enjoy most about fishing?
It is a very nice (supposedly) non-contact sport in nature, but to be successful you also need to be able to put a strategy on the table for the day. - Why do you do lure fishing?
Anglers are not limited to a particular species when they “hunt.” To succeed, you need to know everyone. - What is your biggest/best catch ever?
Big Amberjack jigging in 200m+ water in Kenya. Lots of sailfish, tuna over 40kg, cod 37kg, 5x bass over 4.0kg and a 1.65kg Redbreast. But just being able to fish is my best catch. - What are your favourite fish and your favourite dam to fish at?
Banded Tilapia (Groot Vleikurpers) and any dams without Jetski’s and wakeboats. - Do you get a lot of support from the community regarding your fishing?
Yes, from my family and club. - What was the most enjoyable tournament you ever fished and why?
During the old days, all the SAs were where we camped together. In the SAs, there were no trials, so we were free to practice as much as we wanted ahead of time. The training lasted for four days, the meeting lasted for one day, and the SAs lasted for two days. - Do you spend a lot of time fishing?
Not anymore. - How expensive is the sport you practice?
Very. Worms that were R5 a pack when I started are now over R200. - What do you see for the future of lure fishing in SA?
The trend will continue in South Africa, but outside of our borders it will cease. Our anglers will not be able to compete internationally unless we create a facet that pertains to most species, such as lures, and allow the top anglers to participate, such as Zimbabwe and Zambia do. - What support do you get from your family?
A lot. - Would you recommend the sport to others and why?
If you want to enjoy your fishing and challenge yourself YES. If you want to get Protea clothes NO. - What advice do you have for young kids who want to start lure fishing?
Getting to know all the species and how they react to each other is one of the best things about you can learn about fishing. - What are your favorite lures?
With a curly tail you can catch anything! - How many different species have you caught in your life? Roughly.
Very little freshwater species in SA – roughly 25+. On the ocean almost twice that. - How does it feel to have Protea colours?
It felt amazing and even more amazing when my son and grandson got theirs. - Do you get angry easily on a boat?
Very little if ever. There is only fish and I only get angry at dumb people. - What message do you have for prospective anglers?
Catch the fish and don’t let the lures catch you. It is not the most expensive boat or fishing rod that catches the fish, but the person behind the boat’s steering wheel or the fishing rod. - What achievements have you achieved in fishing?
I’ve received Protea colours in Artificial Bait and Provincial clothes in Black Bass fishing, Deep Sea bottom fish Fishing and Deep Sea “Gamefish” fishing. I won a boat in Billfish division of Mynmanne 2023. Was coach of winning juniors in Zone 5 on Kariba 2021. - Have you ever won the National Trials? If yes, where and when?
In 2000/2001 on Loskopdam, I came 2nd with Trials. I was top five in Black Bass SA’s on Albert Falls also around 2000/2001. - Any SA records caught? If yes, where, when, what fish?
Red-breasted and Blue Tilapias in the last 3 years. One in Komati and one in Loskopdam. Then also Natal Pike on Artificial Bait. The tilapias were put back alive but the pike got eaten.
