Banana X Magic at Skilpad Dam

StevenVia (Steven Halgryn)

I spent the day at Leeuwkop Prison in Sandton, at the dam we all know as Skilpad. It’s one of those venues that just feels right the moment you arrive — clean, well maintained, peaceful, and perfect for any type of angler. Whether you’re new to the sport or you’ve been casting for years, Skilpad gives you confidence. There are very few snags, the water is constantly refreshed because the farm uses it for irrigation, and with the right baits — especially Magic Baits 🎩 — the action comes quickly.

It was just me and Paul Nel for this session, two anglers settling into an easy day of fishing and laughter.

I started off with my usual trusted combos:

Rod 1

RPA on the ball

Top hook: Honey Glow

Bottom hook: Bluegum


Rod 2

Banana X on the ball

Hook 1: Banana X

Hook 2: RPA

The fish were active from the start, and we were both getting steady pickups. Then came the moment that turned the whole day into a story worth retelling.

Paul has always doubted banana flavours when it comes to barbel. In his words:
“’n Barbel gaan nie op banana byt nie.”

So when his rod bent properly — the kind of bend that tells you the fish on the other end is no joke — he immediately assumed it was a strong carp. The fish fought hard, pulling him around and refusing to come quietly. While battling it, he kept repeating,
“Nee man, dis ’n karp op die lyn, ek weet!”

But as the fish finally rolled closer, everything changed.

Not a carp…
A huge barbel, easily between 8 and 10 kilograms, hooked cleanly on Banana X.

His face was priceless — a mix of disbelief, shock, and pure excitement. The man who swore banana wouldn’t catch a barbel had been proven wrong in the best way possible.

That’s Skilpad Dam.
That’s fishing.

And that’s the undeniable Magic when the right flavour hits the water.