AnglersHub Academy
Learn to fish smarter
Step-by-step learning tracks, in-depth dam guides and the science behind the bite, written for South African waters.
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Learning tracks
Start with the free basics, then go deeper with Pro.
Start hereFree
How to catch your first bass
A free 5-part course: the kit, the rigs, where to look, when to go, and how to land your first bass.
Start the course5-part course
Start hereFree
How to catch your first carp
A free 5-part papgooi course: the kit, the rig and the pap, where to sit, when to go, and how to land your first carp.
Start the course5-part course
Start hereFree
Your first kit
What to buy at the tackle shop, what to skip, and how to set it all up.
- Your First Fishing Kit: What to Buy and How to Set It Up
Read the guide
All levelsFree
Knots
The handful of knots that cover almost every rig you will ever fish.
- How to Tie the Double Uni Knot
- How to Tie the Albright Knot
- The Fishing Knots Every Angler Needs
- + 1 more
See all 4 guides
Deep dive Pro
Pro science guides
The science behind the bite: water temperature, oxygen, light and feeding.
- The Science of Bait: How Carp Smell and Taste
- How Bass See Colour: The Science of Light, Depth and Lure Colour
- Summer Kurper: Finding the Big Ones
- + 4 more
See all 7 guides
Dam guides
6 complete dam guides
Roodekoppies Dam, Rhenosterkop Dam, Hartbeespoortdam, Vaal Dam and more. Where to fish, what bites and when.
See all dam guidesAll articles
Free courseHow to catch your first bass: free 5-part course
Start here. The kit to buy, the knot and rigs to tie, where bass live, when to go, and how to land your first one.
Start the course →
Free courseHow to catch your first carp: free 5-part course
Start here for carp. The papgooi kit, the spring trace and the pap, where carp feed, when to go, and how to land your first one.
Start the course →
Technique GuideHow to Keep Bass Alive in a Livewell: Fish Care for Bass Comps
A bass that swims off after the weigh-in can still die days later. What the research says about livewell oxygen, temperature, ice, salt and additives, and a simple routine that keeps your bag alive on hot South African dams.
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Technique GuideHow to Handle Fish: Catch and Release That Keeps Them Alive
Most released fish live, if they are handled well. What the research says about air time, slime, nets and deep hooks, plus simple rules for handling bass and carp on South African dams.
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Technique GuideProThe Science of Bait: How Carp Smell and Taste
A carp checks your bait three times before it swallows: with its nose, with the taste buds on its lips and barbels, and with the taste buds inside its mouth. Here is what the research says about each check, which tastes carp like and dislike, and how to build a better papgooi bait.
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Technique GuideFree this weekHow Bass See Colour: The Science of Light, Depth and Lure Colour
Bass have two colour cones, no blue cone, and see chartreuse much like white. Here is what the research says about bass vision, how water filters colour with depth, and which lure colours to pick in clear, green and muddy South African dams.
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Technique GuideHow to Tie the Double Uni Knot
Knot series, part 3. Join two lines of similar thickness, or braid to a leader, with two simple uni knots that slide together. Watch the video or follow the six steps.
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Technique GuideHow to Tie the Albright Knot
Knot series, part 2. Join thin braid to a thicker leader with a slim, secure knot that runs through your guides. Watch the video or follow the six steps.
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Technique GuideThe Fishing Knots Every Angler Needs
Six knots cover almost every rig you will ever fish. Which knot to use for which job, and how to tie the palomar, improved clinch, uni, double uni, Albright and figure-eight loop step by step.
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Technique GuideYour First Fishing Kit: What to Buy and How to Set It Up
Walk into the tackle shop knowing exactly what you need. One rod and reel that does it all, the right line, a small box of hooks and lures for bass, carp and kurper, what to skip, and how to set it all up.
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Technique GuideFishing in the Heat: Staying Safe and Keeping Fish Alive
Summer is the best and the most dangerous fishing season in South Africa. A practical guide to lightning, heat, sun, toxic algae, bilharzia and wildlife, and how to make sure every fish you release survives hot water.
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Technique GuideProSummer Kurper: Finding the Big Ones
Kurper breed all summer, which makes them easy to find once you know what to look for. How to tell the kurper apart, read their nests, find the 1 kg fish and catch them on light tackle, plus a family day plan for the holidays.
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Technique GuideProBig Barbel on Summer Nights
How South Africa's own giant, the sharptooth catfish, hunts in packs, breeds after rain and feeds on hot summer nights. Where to find a 10 kg barbel, which baits and rigs work, and how to handle one safely.
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Technique GuideProAfter the Storm: Fishing Rising Dams, Muddy Water and Flooded Grass
What summer rain does to a South African dam and its fish, and how to fish each stage: the first rise, the muddy inflow, the full dam and the slow fall. Built around the weekly dam levels on AnglersHub.
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Technique GuideHow to Tie the Palomar Knot
Knot series, part 1. The easiest strong knot for tying line to a hook, swivel or lure. Watch the video or follow the five steps.
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Technique GuideProThe Science of Summer Carp Fishing in South Africa
What common and mirror carp do from November to February, and why. Water temperature, the spawn, dead deep water, the oxygen clock, bait science and catch care, explained for South African dams.
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Technique GuideProThe Science of Summer Bass Fishing in South Africa
What largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass do from November to February, and why. Water temperature, thermoclines, oxygen, light and storms, explained for South African dams.
Read Pro guide →Dam GuideRoodekoppies Dam - The Complete Guide
A complete guide to fishing Roodekoppies Dam including bass and carp fishing tips, bank angling, safety notes, structure, facilities and visitor information.
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Dam GuideRhenosterkop Dam Fishing Guide
A complete guide to fishing Rhenosterkop Dam including bass fishing tips, facilities, permits, safety notes, camping advice and visitor information.
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Dam GuideHartbeespoort - The Complete Guide
Explore Hartbeespoort Dam fishing, from big carp and barbel to bass opportunities, while understanding the hyacinth, pollution and boating challenges.
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Dam GuideVaal Dam - The Complete Guide
Explore the Vaal Dam fishing scene, from shallow-water bass and productive carp angling to barbel, yellowfish, visitor info and key safety warnings.
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Dam GuideWitbank Dam - The Complete Guide
Witbank Dam is a popular Mpumalanga fishing and boating destination known for its bass fishing, carp sessions, family-friendly resorts, bank access and scenic open water. This guide covers what to expect, where anglers can fish, when to visit and what makes Witbank Dam worth exploring.
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Dam GuideBronkhorstspruit Dam — The Complete Fishing Guide
Bronkhorstspruit Dam, better known as Bronkies, is a popular Gauteng fishing and boating destination known for its bass fishing, carp sessions, resorts and scenic waterside access. This guide covers what to expect, where anglers can fish, when to visit and what makes Bronkies worth exploring.
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Technique GuideHow to Read the Weather Hub and Bite Score
A free, hands-on guide to the AnglersHub Weather Hub: the GO dial, the hourly graph, bite windows and exactly how the Bite Score is worked out for SA dams.
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