Zimbabwe Bass Record

This is a story of a bass record in 2001.

Probably the most captivating and sought after subject on every Bass fisherman’s mind - even stronger than mere numbers of bass or tournament winnings - is the thought of one day catching a record fish, or more so, a world record fish. Well, Africa’s Basser’s, we are not far off the mark now.

On Wednesday 8th August 2001, 19 year old Danyal Patel of Buffalo Range in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld hooked and landed a bass that is probably amongst the top forty biggest bass landed on the rod and reel in the world.

Danyal’s fish, caught at noon, regurgitated a bream of 250 grams which would have counted toward overall weight. After the midday catch, the fish was only weighed at 6pm that evening. Having caught and released several fish over 10 pounds and one topping the scale at 14.8 pounds before, he knew when he hooked it that this one was different, and a trophy worthy of keeping. The fish viciously attacked a chartreuse Ark buzz bait with a clacker fished on 17 pound line using a 6’6" graphite rod. Not only does he have a knack of catching big fish but constantly runs rings around his Dad (who owns a Piranha 160) who employs him as a cattleman, an occupation which affords him ample opportunity for a cast or two without being noticed. This time he got caught!

Danyal with his new All Africa Record bass weighing 7,995kg.

Danyal’s fish had similar measurements to the Nhamo Mkondo’s previous all Africa record of 7.295kg (16lbs 3 oz) which has stood for three years. The latter having a length of 27" and Danyal’s having a length of 27" and a 21.5" girth. The fish was weighed on two separate certified butcher scales and witnessed by three senior Bass Master Members. Danyal caught his fish in a storage dam no bigger that three rugby fields in total area, with an average depth of 5ft. The dam, which will remain anonymous for obvious reasons, is littered with crab scales along the shore line and has abundant populations of tilapia and Limpopo sardines.

A true appreciation of the fish's actual size.

More importantly, it has a good cross section of bass - fingerlings, wristlings, through to five pounders and as proved - records. The Lowveld is renowned for producing big bass. In actual fact Danyal’s elder brother Zane Patel, landed a fish in 1987 on Lone Star Ranch which was an unofficial record. Unfortunately, not realising its significance he gutted it, but it still beat the previous Lake Kyle record of 9 pounds. Some mention was made in the press of bass caught exceeding 10 pounds. Later Dave Duncan of Hippo Valley also set a new record, but who knows what lies beneath that maze of water ways?

Record fish up to 2001.

Thank you to Mr. Ant Williams of the African Fisherman for this article.

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