Zimbabwe National B.A.S.S. Federation hosted the inaugural Tri Nations Cup at Mazvikadei Dam, Zimbabwe 10-12 December 2024.  For over 20+ years Zimbabwe (Zim) and South Africa (SA) have competed against each other switching as hosts of their country for the event, with Zim winning the past five times including last year in SA by a small margin.

The athletes were allowed to pre-fish one day before the three competition days and had much success in the thick weeds and on the weed lines.  Other techniques were successful like top water but “Punching” in the weeds, by flipping a heavy one-ounce weight with a Senko or creature bait was the most successful technique, but frustrating because keeping the fish on during retrieval was a tough task.  “Many of the bigger fish we had on the line were lost on the way back to the boat frustrating our athlete’s especially since some of them would have been personal bests!” said coach Jason Uldrych. Scott Miklos caught his PB on camera, so we are hoping to see it on the oncoming series they are planning for YouTube channel access. Stay tuned for details…..

After day one with 56 fish Zim was in the lead by a narrow margin even though SA caught their limit of 60 fish.  US and Zim fished with an angler on the boat in a match play style with each angler having control of the boat for half of the day.  This was determined by a draw where the US team won and asked to fish with the Zim athletes to hopefully glean some techniques and spots, giving them some much needed intel.

Day two brought extreme heat and a tough bite for the anglers but the largest catch of the tournament was caught early morning, by Christian De Nuysschen with a 4.76kg (10.49 lbs). SA took the lead with a 4.5kg (9.9lbs) advantage over second-place Zimbabwe. With knowledge from fishing with both teams the US headed into day three with hopes of having their best day yet.  And this time they will be fishing by themselves.

Day three brought more heat that even crippled some of the Zim and SA athletes off their boats, forcing them to substitute for their reserve angler.  In the end SA held off Zim and accomplished their goal of finally beating the Zim after a long drought.  US athletes were happy to have their best day yet with 48 fish tying the SA team for the most, a much-needed win for the US on their first international event.

The Tri Nations Cup ended with a closing ceremony that culminates international tournaments by awarding Gold, Siler and Broze medals to the anglers.  SA takes home the trophy that hasn’t slept with them for the past 6 years.  USA is already talking to SA about the venue and style of fishing for the 2025 event. This first-time event just makes them more hungry for a chance at gold next year.

This event is the next step in creating a new Sport under the Cips Federation, Youth Bass Fishing.  Many deliberations with the Zim and SA team captains after the event resulted in a joint effort to make the next event in SA even bigger by inviting more teams in hope to have the first Black Bass Youth World Championships in the USA 2026.

Stay tuned with information about the 2025 Black Bass Youth World Championships and the airing of a 10-show series detailing the Tri Nations Cup in late March 2025.