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Our latest trip was to Rust de Winter Dam where we had a fantastic time bass fishing. It was early spring and post-spawn with lots of life everywhere. Here’s a quick summary of our adventure and some detail on the place we stayed at…

Fishing

We’ve visited Rust de Winter Dam once or twice in the past but we were always confined to fishing from the bank at the nature reserve. Taking our little rubber duck on the water was never an option because the dam is known for its population of crocodiles. Add some grumpy hippos and it suddenly doesn’t sound like a great idea.

This time however we had the opportunity to join my cousin on his 17ft bass boat which made it possible to explore the whole area and fish the best spots. We subsequently caught dozens of bass during our visit, no monsters but some decent ones here and there.

Another small bass on a fluke

Nice bass on a red tail fluke

One of the better bass on a grub

Another one on the dark fluke

One of the better one's we caught

Small one but they all count

Linky with another one of many bass

Another nice looking small bass

Linky just enjoying the day on the water

During the mornings we would head out to the so-called Salad Bowl to try our luck there. Topwater was a bit slow but switching to dark flukes did the trick and once the first fish was landed it became easy. We tried many spots along the southern banks leading to the river and caught bass almost everywhere.

In most cases our usual dark flukes worked well but also any watermelon red plastics (from worms to flukes). We even caught the occasional fish topwater with horny toads.

Watermelon red senko \ worm

Another bass on my topwater frog

Watermelon red twin tail grub

Watermelon fluke with purple flash

Another bass on a dark horny toad

Dark green, junebug fluke

The late afternoons were definitely topwater time and for this we always headed to the Salad Bowl, especially around the center of the dam where there is a point. We caught loads of bass with horny toads, and normal hollow frogs as well. Even just reeling in a fluke on top of the water produced strikes. It was so much fun, very exciting.

Nic was trying for a bigger fish (as always) using a larger Rapala Skitter V and was finally rewarded at the end of the last day with a decent bass of probably 1.5kg.

Sonja fighting a bass as the sun is setting

Sonja kicking ass

Sonja with another topwater bass

Sonja with yet another bass on a horny toad

Another small topwater bass

Beautiful sunset while we have a few last casts

Nic with one of the bigger bass

The bass we're loving topwater frogs

Another late afternoon bass

On our way home after a great day

Here’s a map of the main areas at Rust de Winter Dam…

And here’s a map of how we did at the spots we visited…

Accommodation

We stayed at a newly reopened place called Montle Metse which is located right on the river to the south. They offer a few basic cabins, shared ablutions, and a communal entertainment \ boma area so far. There is also a swimming pool on the way and they are busy fixing up much fancier chalets that will be available soon as well. Most importantly you can launch from here and easily travel up the river into the main dam, fishing all the way.

View of the gate as you drive in

One of the basic cabins

Inside one the basic cabins

The basic cabins with ablution to the right

The ablution with more accommodation above it

You can bass fish from the side there as well, and there is potential to fish for carp but the river is quite narrow (although deep).

At night you are left with only the sounds of the wild at this remote location, really peaceful. We enjoyed our stay and for what you pay it’s really worth it, we’ll definitely rather stay here again instead of the river (provided we have a boat of course). 

Summary

We loved our time at Rust de Winter Dam, it’s officially one of our favourites. The fishing was great, no monsters but lots of fun catching bass on topwater lures like horny toads and frogs. The accommodation was basic but it’s all you need and definitely worth the price. We’ll be back soon.