Tag Archives: dick lange

The Moz Series

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You may have been wondering, “Where are The Freaks?” The truth is, we’ve had a horrid winter on the East Coast of South Africa. All the summer game fish moved deep and north in search of the warm Mozambique current.

With this haunting us, we did what any sane Fishing Freak would do.. We planned a Moz trip! A mere 5 hours north east of Durban, South Africa hides the rustic village of Ponta Molongane. We got up to our usual nonsense, sampling local cuisine (RUM), hunting game fish on local reefs and hanging with the locals.

The Moz Series is a two part series, here is the Official Trailer.

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The Freaks Tips #42 – Relaunching in the surf zone

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Here is Tip #42 by The Fishing Freaks.

This post is aimed more for the newbies starting Kayak Fishing. If you’ve been doing this for more than a few launches you will have done this at least once. If you live on the east coast of South Africa you will have done this MANY times!

First and most IMPORTANT: Always wear a life jacket, no matter how “good” you think you are. Here I wasn’t wearing one, thought it looked flat out… But let me tell you, I sank like a stone! And I had a loooong swim after that wave took my ski.

There are two scenarios where you will be swimming for you ski. Going out or coming in. The slide example here is of me coming in and eating it. My ski was taken by the foamy and washed 100ft ahead of me. Now if you’re in this situation be very aware of the rip currents. I was lucky and there was very little movement.

Always hang onto your paddle. ALWAYS. I do a version of freestyle and doggy paddle whilst periodically throwing my paddle with each stroke. With each wave that passes, you will get pushed toward your kayak, you can now use your paddle in the waves to pull you toward the beach.

Once you get to your ski grab the closest handle. Often your kayak will be upside down. Provided you checked all your hatches like you should always do before reentering the surf zone, you stuff will still be sealed tight. If you’re on an American plastic kayak, now is the time to upgrade. If you’re short like me and can’t reach the sand below your kayak, you will have to do a little dunk under the water then push the side of your ski up with all your might and it will flip over one time.

Now slide your body up and over your seat so your belly is now in your seat. Then sling your leg closest to the tale over like a horse or bike. Boom you’re back on, now quickly check you’re not about to get drilled by another wave. If when you get to your ski there are still waves washing through, hang onto the tale or nose handle until there is a gap to get back on. If it’s really gnarly out you can just hang on and get dragged back to the beach.

If you come off your kayak when going out much the same applies. Turn to face the beach (which is where your kayak should be headed), get on your kayak but turn to face the sea and take your time to find the best gap and gas it.

Remember, we’re not professionals, but these techniques are tried and tested by us. We’re simply sharing what works for us. Only enter the sea when you feel it is safe enough for your level of paddling.

Relaunching in the surf zone

Relaunching in the surf zone

Tartaruga Maritima Tented Camp

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The Fishing Freaks are Durban based and while the fishing and general outdoor life is really great here we often find ourselves itching for a trip north to the exotic, Ponta Mozambique. Why I hear you ask?

Well first off, it’s only 5 hours from Durban (6 hours from JHB) close enough for a long weekend getaway; it’s cheap! Lets be honest, that counts more these days; they have the original R&R’s; clean warm sea full of beautiful reefs and marine life (excellent fishing & diving); really kind and honest locals who make delicious food & you can look for miles up and down the beach with next to no one in sight!

Southern Mozambique is so beautiful I (Wes) managed to convince my wife (fiancé at the time) to get married there. We had a perfect wedding with 60 of our closest family and friends. This exotic wedding destination has become highly sort after and for good reason. Take the above and add all your friends & family!

Whether you want a short getaway or a romantic and exotic wedding, Southern Mozambique will be perfect for you. On our last trip we were invited to stay at Tartaruga Maritima Tented Camp. It is ideally situated in Ponta Molongane (5kms north of Ponta Do Oura) in the bush with stunning sea views and a well kitted communal kitchen and dining area. A perfect destination for weddings, family vacations, corporate events and more.

Here is their video, you can see what we mean!

For more accommodation information click here Tartaruga Maritima Tented Camp
For more information regarding wedding bookings, contact The Love Bucket
Video filmed, voiced & edited by The Fishing Freaks (mail us thefishingfreaks@gmail.com)

See you in Moz

That Unforgettable Day.

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We all have those days that we can think back and remember so vividly like it was yesterday or the days were you say to yourself that that was the day that changed me!

Well for me (Dick) that day was about 4 years ago when i went on my first trip to Mozambique and well actually my first ever reel fishing trip! Wez came up with idea as he had been on a recent fishing trip to Moz and said it was Amazing and that the fish are loose on that side of the border and we have to go, I was still really only starting out at kayak fishing and only had a few launches under my belt but thought what the hell i had never been before.

First morning in Moz and its an absolute cracker, not a cloud in the sky , not a breath of wind , blue blue blue water and probably one of the easiest launches i had had. I get out past backline, pull my rods out , get my lures in the water and start chasing Wez to the closest reef from the launch. Must have paddled a good 3km before reaching the reef and i decided to have my first breather before continuing chasing the energizer bunny that Wez is. I must have stopped for about 20 seconds and had just called out to Wez, when all of a sardine my reel starts screaming!!!

When i say screaming, it was like nothing i have heard before! Now I have caught fish and been out on Ski-boats and what not but i had never heard a reel make that noise! My heart is now pumping and im screaming to Wez like a little school girl while i start reeling the fish in, I can clearly remember having two thoughts in my head, what the hell is on the end of this line and what was i going to do when i got it next to the ski! Good 10 minute fight an i can start seeing this big long silver thing doing big circles under my ski in that beautiful blue Mozambiquen water, while all this is going on Wez cannot contain himself and spots tunny jumping just a couple of meters from where i was and he turns and shouts to me “Sorry Dick i have too” and he was gone in a flash. I had now managed to get the fish under my ski but had no idea how i was getting it in my hatch, i know i have to gaff it but its huge!! So i scream for Wez to come help! With his help i get the fish on my lap and get Wez to take a photo!

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This is the day that changed me and the day that i was hooked on kayak fishing, i will never forget this day!Do you have a day that will be permanently imprinted in your mind? Share with us!!

UKFC Comp 2013

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The UKFC (Umgeni Kayak Fishing Club) is our local fishing club and every year they host and awesome competition with fantastic prizes and we were lucky enough to be invited to fish and to film the day at Umdloti, so take a look what we got up to and how the day went!!

How Fishing Crazy are the Freaks?

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Being Called The Fishing Freaks is a name we live by and we are absolutely nuts about Fishing. Here is a video of one of the Freaks showing his undying love for the sport and proving just how freaking crazy he is about Kayak Fishing.

 

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/71823787″>Dick gets inked</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user19602070″>Fishing Freaks</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

Throw Back Thursday

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We Freaks thought we would have our own Throw Back Thursday and replay you our very first video we put on Youtube our Fishing Freaks Teaser!

ff_logo smlWe have come along way since this vid got uploaded and boy it been one hell of a ride! we have been through many high’s and low’s and almost lost a Freak along the way, We have learnt a lot and it has been tough but we have meet some amazing people in the fishing community and picked up some incredible sponsors that have have been like childhood dreams for us and then there is you guys our fellow FREAKS, you guys have been unbelievable and we cannot thank you enough for all the support and feedback, you guys rock and you are keeping the Fishing Freaks dream alive!!

We have some amazing stuff in the pipeline for Fishing Freaks and all we can say is watch this space, cause these Freaks are going places! Season 2 of Fishing Freaks will be out soon and we really cant wait to show you guys! we got some action packed webisodes coming your way, so just hang tight!! In the meantime lets go back to the 22 January 2013 and relive the hype of Fishing Freaks!!

Big thanks to The Kingfisher , Daiwa and Stealth Performance Kayaks

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Winter Warmers

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With Winter upon us the boys at Daiwa have hooked us up with some awesome winter apparel making paddling a little more comfortable on these chilly winter mornings.

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First up we have these not so flattering long Spandex tights which at first we thought it was a bit of a laugh but we have to say they work at keeping your legs warm,they help stop blue bottles from stinging your legs, they protect your legs from the harsh sun and are really comfy to paddle in and since we have got them we haven’t not launched in them.We do go for the more stylish look and wear baggies over them making us a little easier on the eyes.

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Next are these awesome Rashvests that are made from  top quality material and just like the tights it protect you from the elements that you will face out on the water, when they dry you will stay nice an warm but if you take a swim while getting out you will be cold till the sun works its magic!

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Lucky for us we also got these Daiwa jackets that not only look badass but will keep you so toasty on the water you will feel like you still snuggled up in your bed! They have pull tight strings at the waist and velcro around your wrists making a tight fit so you can still paddle. Water proof so when you do get splashed out on the water you don’t shiver away, we do however recommend putting it on after you have got past back line, firstly so you don’t get water into it and secondly it won’t be the easiest thing to swim in, in the surf zone.

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This handy little multi-purpose Sports Scarf is 100% Polyester Microfibre with temperature control, UV Protection and moisture management.Us Freaks love these things and wear them all the time not just on the water and not only does it stop the hectic glare you get from the sun on the water but when your paddling into the wind you don’t get you whole face drenched in splashes and you stay warm!

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So get down to The Kingfisher today and get your winter gear or you will freeze your butts off on the water!

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Pro Fisha 475

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As you all have seen lately we The Freaks have been paddling new Kayaks and man can i say we are in love with them!!! We have been lucky enough to demo on Stealths Pro Fisha 475 kayaks the past few weeks and have really put this Fishing Ski to the test!!!

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We have done drifts in the howling wind, paddled 8km’s out , trawled lures at the same speed as Jetski’s (well it feels like that) been out in big surf and have taken them to Moz and we can really say that this is a GREAT Fishing Kayak!!  It not only handled all the conditions the ocean threw at us , it had us out on the water at every opportunity we have had and we can happily say we have Fished the most this past month then we have the whole year!!!

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The boys at Stealth have really out done themselves on this range and the Pro Fisha just looks FREAKIN Awesome!! Its pointed nose and tail lets the ski cut through the water with the greatest of ease making it super quick and helping out big time when paddling in the wind, but don’t be fooled into thinking that now that it is fast and pointed on the ends it is going to loose its stability because it doesn’t , it is so stable , even in the WIND, and such a pleasure to fight and catch fish on, it has a comfy seat and paddling position making spending hours on the water not so grueling on your butt and back. Punching big waves is not a problem as long as you hit the foamie straight on you will glide trough it like a hot knife through butter, and coming in is a reel ease on these ski’s because of its speed and can easily paddle in between the sets, but it can also ride waves, does take a little practice and to know how the wave is breaking , we have found though that if you do get caught in a foamie you just turn the ski side on put you inside leg in the water and ride in like that no problem! The hatch is big enough and can carry five rods and a couple of fish easy!

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So if you are in the market looking for a Fishing Ski or just wanting to upgrade to a more performance driven Ski go see Brett from Stealth and order yours today!! The Pro Fisha’s come in the 475 , 525 (just released) 575 lengths.

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We cannot wait for our custom 475’s to be finished and we will have a whole video on the construction of these great Kayaks coming out in the next few weeks so stay tuned for that!!