Welcome to our Anglers in Action series, where we catch up with our avid anglers. We recently talked to Pieter Reynecke an avid angler, husband, and father who is at his happiest when he’s out on the water with a rod in hand.
- What is your full name and surname?
Pieter Coenraad Frederick Reynecke - Date of Birth
2 July 1969 in Orkney - Current career
Executive Administrator - Since when have you been fishing?
Ever since I can remember - Why did you start fishing?
My father is a great fisherman. I’ve been fishing with him since I was a baby. The bug bit me at a very young age. - What do you enjoy most about fishing?
Experiencing nature on a beautiful sunny day riding my boat early in the morning on the quiet water. - Why do you do lure fishing?
The variety of fish we catch makes a fishing day very interesting. There is always another fish to catch. - What is your biggest/best catch ever?
There are several fish I remember, both big and small. Probably a 19kg largemouth yellowfish, but I’ll never forget catching a mosquito fish at a tournament. - What are your favourite fish and your favourite dam to fish at?
Grass carp on lure and Loskopdam - Do you get a lot of support from the community regarding your fishing?
Yes. I can’t say thank you enough for everyone’s contribution. - What was the most enjoyable tournament you ever fished and why?
Various. The SA’s 2016 on the Vaal River still stands out. Everything went right for our team and we were able to win gold for the first time in years. Then in 2016, we won an international tournament in Malawi after being very far behind on day one. It’s moments like these that make us who we are. - Do you spend a lot of time fishing?
As much as I can. - How expensive is the sport you practice?
How long is a rope? - What do you see for the future of lure fishing in SA?
There is a lot of pressure for change right now. I am very much looking forward to what the next few years will bring us. - What support do you get from your family?
My family accepts that I have a passion for fishing. All my sons fished with me at one time and my youngest son, Edrich, is a passionate angler who has a lot of potential. - Would you recommend the sport to others and why?
Yes, of course. It’s probably the only facet of fishing where you rarely find no fish. There are many choices to make in a day and strategy plays a very important role in how you will perform. The facet overwhelms you in the beginning with all the different techniques that need to be mastered, but the results are very satisfying once you get it right. - What advice do you have for young kids who want to start lure fishing?
It will change your life. You don’t need to buy expensive equipment and gear to be successful. Experiment as much as you want and start building your technique. Spend a lot of time mastering one technique rather than not being able to do a bunch of techniques well. And hey, fish don’t read books. - What are your favorite lures?
Sada curly tail. It will catch any fish. - How many different species have you caught in your life? Roughly.
A lot – I’m guessing it’s close to 100 already. - What are the highest honours you have achieved in the sport?
Protea colours - How many times have you participated in International tournaments and where?
10 times. SA, Namibia, Malawi, Ireland, Estonia, Ukraine - Do you get angry easily on a boat?
Not at all. - What are the best results you have achieved in a tournament? Describe the feeling about it.
Won several tournaments. It is very special every time. - How do you think the sport will be taken to greater heights?
A big effort to send the top teams to World Cup tournaments is very important. World Cup tournaments are very expensive and our teams do not get the necessary practice ahead of time at the World Cup countries. Financial support for our Protea teams is crucial to perform. - What message do you have for prospective anglers?
ENJOY EVERY DAY ON THE WATER. Share your successes with others and ask for help when you need it. Lure fishing is super easy if you get your basics down. Practice throwing accurately at home and you won’t go wrong. The more you fish, the better you’ll get.
