Essential Angling

Psycho Baits Pop Ups and Wafters showing off a little…😍

Loving it…❤️🎣

MEET THE ANGLER - Hennie Joubert 🎣

🎣 Angler: 4+ Years Specimen
🏕️ Team: RIGGY
📍 Favourite Venue: Rietspruit Dam, Mpumalanga
🎯 Favourite Rig: Blowback Rig
🪱 Favourite Bait Presentation: Double-corked Tiger topped with a fake maize
🏆 PB: 13.9 kg
🌙 Known for: Being the RIGGY team’s night skipper

My specimen angling journey started in 2022, but fishing has been part of my life for much longer than that. Before becoming a specimen angler, I was a “papgooier” and also spent time doing bass fishing and even some deep-sea angling.

When I eventually made the move into specimen angling, I quickly realised that there was a whole new world to learn. There was something about the planning, the preparation, the tactics and the mystery of what was happening beneath the water that really pulled me in.

About eight months into my specimen journey, I was fortunate enough to catch my personal best of **13.9 kg**. At the time, I thought it would only be a matter of time before I broke that PB.

Well… fast forward a few years and a lot of fishing opportunities later, and I’m still waiting! 😂

But surprisingly, breaking my PB has never bothered me as much as not getting enough time next to the water. For me, the real goal is simply to spend more time doing what I enjoy.

There is something about being next to the water that makes all the daily stresses disappear. You can sit for hours watching, waiting and wondering what is happening beneath the surface.

And then, without warning…

The alarm screams.🔥

For those few seconds, absolute chaos erupts! 😂 The adrenaline kicks in, the planning goes out the window and suddenly all the hours of preparation are put to the test.

That moment when you finally land the fish and realise that all the hard work has paid off is what keeps me coming back.

But one of the fish I’m most proud of wasn’t even my own catch.

It was a 10 kg common caught by my brother.

For me, it wasn’t about the size of the fish. It was about the plan behind it — finding the right spot, choosing the right bait, getting everything into place and then watching him fight that fish all the way to the bank.

And then seeing the smile on his face when he realised he had landed his **first double-digit carp**… that was something special.

That is what specimen angling means to me. It’s not always about chasing the biggest fish or breaking personal records. Sometimes it’s about the **plan, the challenge, the people you share it with and the memories you create along the way.**

I want to spend more and more time next to the water every year, exploring new venues, enjoying nature, learning from every session and enjoying the mystery of what waits beneath the surface.

And as the RIGGY team’s **night skipper**, I’ll be doing my best to keep everyone heading in the right direction after dark! 🌙🚤😂

Still chasing fish, still chasing that next opportunity and, maybe one day, finally chasing that PB! 🤞🎣

**Tight lines! **

We are excited to welcome Wayne Brink to the Essential Angling family! 💙🧡

We asked Wayne to introduce himself and share, in his own words, what specimen angling means to him:

“I live for the challenge, the unknown and the pursuit of giants in our waters. Every session is a new opportunity to learn, adapt and improve, and it’s the journey behind every capture that keeps me coming back.

My passion for fishing started at a young age, exploring local waters with my father, family and friends. What began as a childhood hobby gradually became a way of life — and, over the years, so did the size of the fish. My current personal best stands at 16.5 kg.

As a dedicated specimen angler, I’ve explored different techniques and fished a variety of local waters, with some of my favourite venues being Roodekoppies Dam, Rietvlei Dam, Rietspruit Dam and Hartbeespoort Dam.

My enthusiasm for specimen carp angling continues to grow. I approach every session with drive, precision and a competitive spirit, always striving to become a better angler and push my limits.

For me, it’s never just about the weight of the fish. It’s about the preparation, the strategy, the patience, the early mornings and the unforgettable moments beside the water.

I am a firm believer in fish care, conservation and respecting our waters, because protecting the sport and the fish we pursue is just as important as the pursuit itself.”

We’re proud to have Wayne joining us and look forward to being part of his journey and seeing what the future holds. 💪🏼🎣

Welcome to the family, Wayne! 🥳💙🧡

🎣 MEET THE ANGLER — LEANDRI LOUW 🎣

We’re proud to welcome Leandri Louw to the Essential Angling family as part of Team RIGGY and our Brand Ambassador team. 💪🎣

Leandri’s passion for learning, improving and challenging herself perfectly represents what specimen angling is all about. We’re excited to have her on board and look forward to sharing many memorable sessions and captures together.

Leandri Louw 🎣

Angler: 4+ Years
Team: RIGGY
Favourite Venue: Any venue without crocs! 😂
Favourite Rig: Chod Rig
Favourite Bait: Pop-ups
PB: 17.36 kg
Known for: Being the RIGGY team’s night owl 🌙🎣

My fishing journey started about 12 years ago when I joined my husband for what we knew as the good old “papgooi”. Four years ago, when he decided to take the step into specimen carp fishing, I decided to join him on the journey.

In 2025, we started RIGGY, with the goal of competing in the FK13. At the time, I was definitely more of the team’s support crew than an angler. 😂 The guys knew what they were doing, while I was there to help set up camp, make sure everyone was fed and reel in the fish when it was my turn! 🤣

But after that competition, on the drive home, I told my husband that I didn’t feel comfortable competing and claiming a fish if I hadn’t put in the work to catch it myself.

That changed everything.

Since then, every fishing trip has become about more than just catching fish. It has been about learning, improving my skills and becoming a better angler — from setting up my own equipment and baiting my own rigs, to feeling the bottom, understanding spots and confidently dropping my own lines.

I can honestly say that I’ve reached a point where I contribute to the team as an angler. I have my own ideas, I’m trusted to choose and use my own bait and I’m able to give input on spots and tactics. There is still plenty to learn, but that is what makes specimen fishing so addictive.

My next big challenge? Learning to drive the boat properly. 😂 I’m still working on that one. At this stage, I can confidently say that I have mastered the 360° turn… whether it was intentional or not is another story! 🤣🚤

What I love most about specimen fishing is the escape, especially winter fishing at the more primitive venues. There is something special about getting away from the daily routine, sitting around a campfire, setting personal goals, facing new challenges and learning something new every session.

And then, of course, there’s that feeling when the alarm suddenly screams and everything goes quiet for that split second before you realise…

IT’S GAME ON! 🎣🔥

I’m still learning, still chasing bigger fish and still working on becoming the best angler I can be — one session at a time. 🎣

🎣 MEET THE ANGLER — ERICK LOUW 🎣

Team: RIGGY
Specimen Angler: 4+ Years
Favourite Venue: Roodekoppies Dam
Favourite Rig: Multi Combi
Favourite Bait: Large Tiger Nut with a small sponge sighter
PB: 19.64 kg
Known for: Finding the RIGGY team’s features 😂🎯

My fishing journey started at a young age, fishing local farm dams with my brother. Fishing was always something I enjoyed, but it was only in 2022 that I took the step into specimen angling.

I’ve always been a problem solver, troubleshooter and tinkerer. I enjoy understanding how things work, figuring out why something isn’t working and finding ways to improve it. When I discovered specimen angling, it immediately caught my attention.

There was so much more to it than simply casting out a line and waiting for a fish. The rigs, bait, location, finding features, placement and all the small details involved suited my personality perfectly.

When I started, I spent countless hours watching YouTube videos, learning the basics and trying to understand as much as possible. I also went on a guide session, and from there I started putting everything I had learned into practice.

Since then, every session has brought something new — different venues, conditions, challenges and, most importantly, lessons.

I’m probably my own worst critic when it comes to fishing. After a session, I don’t only think about the fish I caught. I think about the things that didn’t work.

What could I have done differently? What did I miss? What can I improve before the next trip?

That’s probably where my reputation in RIGGY comes from — finding the features! 😂 I enjoy reading the water, finding those little areas that could make the difference and figuring out how we can best present a bait to a fish.

For me, specimen angling has never simply been about catching the fish. It’s about the trap you create and knowing that all the preparation, planning and effort have finally paid off when a quality fish picks up your bait.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing all the small pieces come together — the right spot, the right bait, the right rig and the right presentation — and then hearing that alarm scream. 🎣🔥

But it’s also about everything that happens around the fishing: the campfires, conversations, laughs, long sessions and memories made along the way.

One thing specimen angling has taught me is that the effort you put in is almost always reflected in the reward you get.

I’m still learning, still experimenting, still looking for better ways to do things and, most importantly, still enjoying every session.

— Erick Louw | Team RIGGY 🎣

We’re proud to have Erick and Team RIGGY as part of the Essential Angling family, and we look forward to sharing many more sessions, lessons and big captures with them. 🔥🎣