Melissa du Randt

 

The South African Shore Angling Association Ladies Nationals for took place at the West Coast in Langebaan this year. The Eastern Province Ladies Angling Team was represented in the competition. They fished on the Tuesday at Varkenvlei, Wednesday at the Lapa, and Thursday back at Varkenflei.

Melissa du Randt once again represented her province. This is the 4^th year that Melissa has been fishing for the Eastern province Ladies Angling Team. The team consists of 6 members, a coach and a manager.

Melissa ranked 16^th in the country over a period of 3 years fishing, started off with a great days fishing and so did the team, finishing in 2^nd position for the day. Melissa caught a total of 10 sharks for the day and was lying in 12^th position for the tournament. All the teams on Day 2 had a blinder, fishing in kelp with very little success. Saying that, the team moved into 21^st spot with one day of fishing left. By this stage all the ladies were feeling it as the pressure was on to keep their position and individual positions.

Start of day 3 and loads of fish are being caught by all the anglers. Melissa catches loads of under size and then after lunch manages to get the fish that counted. All round the EP Team performed very well for the day. Coaches and manager were overwhelmed on how well the ladies had been doing. Back to the accommodation for a shower and prep for the prize giving. All ladies were on tender hooks wanting to know in what position they ended up. Dressed on full EP attire they went to the prize giving. Sitting on tender hooks the team positions were announced. Eastern Province Ladies ended in 1^st position overall, winning GOLD. All the EP Ladies did very well. Individual positions were announced K.Kapp 6^th, H. Potgieter (cpt) 8^th, J. Taljaard 14^th, M. du Randt 17^th, M. Jonck 20^th, and E. Reitz 23^rd. This was an amazing finish for such an inexperienced team only been fishing for 4 years and coming from 7^th overall last year to winning the Nationals. Well done ladies.

Melissa du Randt and Helen Potgieter got their president colours and will be fishing in the Gus Kulner international tournament in November2014 at Jefferies bay fishing against Namibia.  Melissa said to all that this year she was going to the nationals and was going to come back with her colours and set her heart on it.  Melissa du Randt (the 1^st lady to represent her club at provincial level and to get her National Presidential Colours) is currently lying 9^th in South Africa with Helen lying 12^th overall in a 3 year ranking.  It was a very different 3 days fishing with calm seas and short casts but was a learning curve for all. According to all fishermen you can never know enough about fishing it is a sport that you will never stop learning in.  Melissa du Randt is a proud member of the Port Alfred River & Ski-Boat Club.