Want to catch a crocodile using fishing tackle? If the answer is yes, then go to the crocodile headquarters – Arabi dam in Limpopo province.

Thank God the crocodile in Arabi dam are well fed as the dam has plenty fish and other wildlife, therefore the crocodiles hardly target people. The crocodiles at Arabi are relatively docile as some fishermen ply their trade in canoes from which they could easily be attacked by crocodiles if they were wild.

Arabi dam is probably the dam with the highest density of crocodiles in South Africa and it is virtually impossible to fish at the dam and leave without seeing several crocodiles. Proof that the crocodiles at this dam have no interest in human beings is the fact that some pedestrian fishermen ply their trade standing in water, some up to waist level or even deeper.

About four years ago, while fishing for carp, bream and catfish at Arabi with my friends, Evans and Andrew, one of Andrew’s lines had a strong bite, which triggered the alarm and got our adrenalin running as it was the first bite that morning after about two hours of quiet.

Andrew was in no time holding his rod, fighting with what we assumed to by a catfish. In the spirit of togetherness or camaraderie that exists between fishermen, Evans was soon holding a landing net, and was in the water up to the waist. “Oh My God, this catfish must be massive,”said Andrew as the drag of his reel went into overdrive as the “fish” pulled away.

Suddenly we heard Evans shout: “croc” as he threw away the landing net and began to run in the water, and out.

With his rod in a semi-circle formation, Andrew fought the fish, sometimes reeling in the line, and at times realising line so that it would not break. After about 20 minutes, the “fish” began to tire, and was getting closer to the bank.

When the “fish” saw Evans who was holding a landing net in the water, it suddenly had renewed energy, once more sending the drag into a whizz. A few minutes later, the “fish” was once again close to Evans who was by then holding the line in an effort to control the “fish” towards the landing net.

Suddenly we heard Evans shout: “croc” as he threw away the landing net and began to run in the water, and out. Neither Andrew nor I believed him as we had not seen the crocodile, and Andrew continued to fight his “fish”.

About a minute later we were all shocked when the fish on Andrew’s line turned out to be a crocodile as its head surfaced for the second. The first time its head surfaced, it had been seen by Evans only, triggering his panic and accompanying swift response.

“Someone cut the line please,” shouted Andrew who had retreated to at least 10m from the water, but was fortunately still holding his rod. I quickly cut his line with my hunting knife which I always carry on me when fishing, just in case I am attacked by a crocodile.

From the size of its head, I estimated the young crocodile to be at least one and a half metres long. Eventually, Andrew told us that the crocodile had taken been hooked after taking a chick which he had used as bait, hoping to catch a catfish.

One of several fishermen who had been attracted to the scene after Evans wailed “croc”, remarked that this was the second time he had witnessed someone catch a crocodile at Arabi dam.

After settling down following the mini drama, Evans remarked: “I will not fish here again,” but that was a false statement, as a few month later, we were back at Arabi together, lured by the tasty and sometimes fast biting bream found in this dam.