Brendon van Zuydam is our current South African National Champion following his win at the SABAA 2010 event held on Tzaneen Dam earlier this year. He has also had some great success in the money tournaments as seen here at Midmar after winning the September leg of the BETT, with Team Yamaha Panasonic partner Gavin Richardson.
Brendon’s ‘hardware’ is a Tornado with a 300Hp Yamaha VMAX HPDI on the back, and an 80lb Minn Kota Maxxum Pro on the front.
Brendon has just signed up with Lowrance recently after being an avid Lowrance supporter for more than 20 years.
Brendon has the following electronics:
1. LCX37c flush mounted in the console with FishTec Charts.
2. HDS8 on a MB35 RAM mount next to the console with HST-WSBL transducer mounted on bottom step.
3. HDS5 in the bow with PDT – WBL transducer on trolling motor
4. StructureScan LSS-1 with transducer mounted on bottom step next to HST-WSBL.
The transducer setup is right at the bottom of the boat allowing good returns at high speeds. What’s interesting about this setup is that two sections of hose have been used to support the transducers while at high speed, or in the event of hitting something in the water. This helps keep the transducers at right angles to the lie of the boat.
Brendon’s Settings:
Sonar:- (HDS5 and HDS8) Fishing Mode in ‘General’
StructureScan:- Notice the range on the SideScan – 50ft
The HDS5 on the bow is a split page 50/50 – 83kHz and DownScan. While at the console, Brendon has the LCX37c split 50/50 between FishTec Chart and Sonar (83kHz). I also noticed that he uses quite a high zoom, either 4x or 8x looking closely at what’s just off the bottom or just above or around structure. His HDS8 is also split 50/50 with DownScan and SideScan. FishTec: “Why do you use this #1 palette Brendon?”
Brendon: “I found it was just easier to spot finer detail using this black & white inverted screen.”
Technique:
As we approached one of Brendon’s many waypoints, he full locks the steering and starts doing what he calls “Donuts”. He circles the point of interest many times with a marker buoy close at hand. He will not drop that marker until he is 100% sure that he has the POI marked perfectly. FishTec: “Aren’t you worried that you chase all the fish away while you are idling over them?” Brendon: “We are not looking for scared fish.” FishTec: “laugh”
Once the spot is marked, I noticed that Brendon will fish the marker for a while, and if there is no bite in the first couple of casts, he will target the surrounding area with a reaction-bite type bait.
I would just like to thank Brendon for having me on board, and look forward to joining him for another session, in the not too distant future.