TJ Maré has been appointed as Director: Mpumalanga to the SA Carp Society (SACS) from the 1st of May 2014 and furthermore as Provincial Manager to SA Carp Angling Solutions (SACS) Ltd. from the 1st of March 2016.
He left conventional angling a few years back and “ventured” into the Specimen facet; his biggest concern back then was the “secrecy” from bait to “spots”. TJ is the founder of MPU-Carp Angling Club and is the current Chairperson of MPU-SACS as it is known now. The club is active in the Ehlanzeni district municipal area to conserve the specimen, secure venues, train & develop and also organize and monitor competitions.
The biggest achievement for MPU-SACS thus far is the “Catch & Release” signage at the LABA (Lowveld Angling and Boat Association). Our first intervention was with the Klipkopjé R1Mil challenge.
TJ's personal specimen angling career went from 20 weeks blank at a local venue to the highlight in 2013 when he caught 20 Carp of which 12 where above 30Lb. He also then bettered both his PB's to Common: 44.07 lb and Mirror: 36,3 lb. His aim is to land a 50lb in 2016.
Dams in Mpumalanga are becoming a target for bow hunting and TJ is working hard in and outside of the club structure to counter act and educate. Persons outside MPU-SACS regularly engage with him in their Carp concerns and he is known as a person who WILL act and work towards a proper solution.
MPU-SACS is also the first Specimen Carp Angling club associated with SACS that is fully affiliated with structures in place to register official records; which the club believes will come from Klipkopjé that definitely hold 65Lb and bigger Carp from diver testimonies.
The future of Specimen Carp Angling in South Africa does not look to colorful but if we as carp anglers labor hard we will get our spot in the HALL OF FAME.
TJ loves to take part in competitive specimen angling and loves to learn and appreciate all advice.
TJ's concern within SACS will be to:
- Work towards SACS having a footprint in all provinces and even to regional municipality size; and
- To be a MPU-SACS ambassador in SA.