Gold Coast popper fun - Tues 11 Dec

[marty_z]

Hit a local Gold Coast waterway at first light Tuesday morning for a quick flick before work. Target was Jacks, but it soon became apparent they weren't on the chew in the usual spots, nor were the Cod that also inhabit this area.

So I decided to do a bit of exploring and after a bit of a run up river came across a shallow rock bar with water beginning to flow over it. Cast my popper into the shallows and after an aggressive strike hooked up first cast - after a short fight up popped a small Flathead - my first on popper. Couple more casts and another hook-up produces a legal Bream.

I worked this area for 45 mins with every cast getting hit - although my hook-up rate was low as most hits were from Bream and my 60mm lure was not exactly suited to them. I contemplated downsizing, but stuck it out with the bigger popper in hope of a Jack, but it was not to be.

Last cast was a bigger fish that decided it liked my popper more than I did and swam off with it! I decided that was a sign to go to work, leaving the fish still biting. Finished up with 3 Flathead to 50cm and a dozen Bream to 29cm - all were released. I was shocked at how aggressive the Flathead hit the popper, with two of them getting airborne on the strike.

Marty

[Peter4]

Good read & pics Marty.

Sounds like you had a fun session.

Pete

[novice23]

Don't you just love it when plan B comes off!

[tiges]

Nice work Marty. The Gobo's are awesome surface lures.

[gaintsquid]

nice one mate it looks like your using braid straight to the lure? or is it just a fairly thick leader?

[Why-ting]

Hozit Marty. some nice flatties mate. they sure move a bit of water when they bust the surface. Did you give that Sol a run? What do you think of it compared to you shimano gear? Catch up soon mate.

Whytey

[marty_z]

Tiges - good pickup on the lure type - the Gobo's are great, just a bit expensive when you lose 2 in a week :(

Giant Squid - the leader is 12lb mono, but it does look thicker than that in the pic - maybe has soemthing to do with reflecting the light? I usually use fluorocarbon as leader for all fishing, but use mono for poppers as it floats.

Whytey - Flathead are great fun in shallow water - they really go hard. The Sol isn't christened yet - but I changed from Shimano to Daiwa years ago, so I'm already a convert ;D Hope this rain doesn't knock your work around too much - guess you will just go chasing Jacks instead?

Marty

[geoff72]

nice stuff mate,that would have been great to see.

[tiges]

Yeah Marty, they're not the cheapest poppers around. But being from the Owner stable, the hardware and finish are exceptional. Worth every cent I reckon. You're on the money with the mono leader. I much prefer it when fishing surface, especially when using a walk the dog type retrieve. What brand mono you been using?

Cheers
Tim

[Cammy]

a nice fat flatty there mate, and nice bream!

cam

[breamnut]

can anyone tell me were to get those poppers? they look awsome.
the flattie are awsome on surface, i got a nice one a few weeks back and it did kart wheels over the popper

[Pistol_P]

can anyone tell me were to get those poppers? they look awsome.
the flattie are awsome on surface, i got a nice one a few weeks back and it did kart wheels over the popper

Any shops in the 'Tackleworld' group should carry the Gobo poppers.
As Tiges said they are worth the money and a very good surface lure.

Pete

[the gecko]

That must have been fun marty. My deckie scored a jack on a popper there, so they are around. We got it at 8am on runout. Nowhere near as many hits as you got tho.

I see your converting to diawa? Can I have all you shimano gear then? lol.

Andrew

[marty_z]

My deckie scored a jack on a popper there, so they are around.

Can I have all your shimano gear then? lol.

Andrew,

I knew your deckie got that Jack there, so that was the main reason I went there. The depth either side of the rockbar is quite different - that might explain the different level of activity and species? I lost my popper on the deeper side so I am trying hard not to think what species it was :'(

You are welcome to all my Shimano gear... but I haven't had any for years!

Tiges - I am using Platypus mono, but think I might have to up the breaking strain a bit.

Nathan - Doug's at Southport has them, and Sporty's should carry them but is out of stock at the moment. As mentioned, they can be bought of the TW site but you need to order a few to offset the mail cost.

Marty