OK, so I've got my spinnerbaits, now what?

[wacco_fozzy]

Going after some freshwater critters this weekend in the Brissy River. I'm using a light spin stick with 6kg fireline. Do I just tie this straight onto the spinnerbait, or should I tie a mono leader on first?

Also, what kg rating should it be?

I've seen videos etc of these things being tossed into weed etc and not being snagged up, are there any useful tips to help me keep the lure, not sacrifice it to the snag gods? I don't mind losing it to a fish, but to leave it hung up on timber or in a weed bed would be too much and would be worth a swim I reckon.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[fishin]

wat are u chasing and were abouts are u fishing ?? wat part of the river?

[wacco_fozzy]

I'm chasing anything that will take a lure. I've got a spinnerbait as well as a hard body RMG that I'm told is a gun bass lure, so, assuming I don't lose the things on a snag, I should have some fun.

It would be nice to latch on to something, anything...

[Jeremy87]

Unless they're really small(less than 1/4 oz) most bass sized spinners can be cast with a baitcaster. Use braided line this will halve the amount off lures you lose. Cast at structure every foot out from the snag you land halves the number of hits you will get so try to bang em right in there. Thats why you'll need a baitcaster. Let the spinner sink. Every second will equate to between 30-50cm depending on weight. Vary the depth until you start to gets hits/hook ups and then continue to alow the spinner to sink to that depth as often the fish will all be sitting at the same depth. Retrive at a gentle roll keeping your rod tip still, no twitching or shit. this way you incrase the likly hood of a hookup and can pick up on when you've hit a snag. You should almost instantly be able to recognise a snag from a fish with braided line. For a snag you'll feel the tension increase at a steady rate simply flick your rod tip up and continue to wind. Also a stinger hook to increase the number of hook ups. This advise was given to me by Matt Mott the pro at Beilke Peterson dam and has worked well for me.
Jeremy

[wacco_fozzy]

Should have mentioned I'm going to walk down from the Weir early Sat am, as per another post in this section

[wacco_fozzy]

So I don't need any sort of mono as a shock leader or anything? I guess there aren't too many oysters etc in the fresh to cut the braid up.

[fishin]

you should be right i havent had any problems before

[Jeremy87]

Get some berkley vanish for a leader (use about a rod length) it is vertually invisible in the water. Tie it to your braid using a uni to uni knot. I've found that the albright not tends to slip when under strain. The braid will eventually cut through your leader so periodically retie the knot (the beginning of each fishing trip or more often depending on how much stress the line is under). This link shows you how to tie a uni to uni knot if you don't already know http://www.fishsa.com/kntiesun.php

[wacco_fozzy]

Went for a fish downstream from both weirs yesterday. No hits from anything although there was a lot of fish actively jumping around. Dragged a white grub lure right past the nose (within 3 cm) of something that resembled a bream, sitting on the edge of a patch of weed but it didn't even blink (so to speak).

Biggest problem was that I was using some berkely vanish as a leader and it sure made my lures vanish. I had 2 break off during casts and land in inaccessible parts of the river. The knots seemed to be OK and it looks as if the stuff just fractured at the knot. I was tempted to swim out but there was something largish swimming around and I was too chicken to get the cojones wet.

I was using what I think is called a locked blood knot and it has never failed using mono, so I guess I need another style of knot to suit the leader material.

So if anyone finds a brand new 50mm purple poltergiest lure and a purple spinnerbait upstream of the old weir, I hope you have better success.

[Paul_C]

Dave,

I use nothng but Vanish for leaders and I used to use a locked blood but had similar problems, just use a normal blood knot.

PC

[Girella]

waco
Take Jeremy's advice and learn to tie a uni knot.

You'll never need any other knot.

PK

[Gigantor]

Dave,

My experiences in freshwater have been:

Leader: I use a French brand of flurocarbon (forget the brand). Have never had a problem with it. Have been told by many of fisho and tackle shop operator that the Berley Vanish is crap. I use about 2 meters of leader tied onto 4kg Fireline with a uniknot to uniknot. I've always used the uniknot to attach leaders to braid and never had an issue. The only issue (as with most knots) is to ALWAYS lubricate the two lines with lots of spit before you pull them together. I know it's telling you to suck eggs (not my intention). It really makes the difference.

Lures: What has worked for me have been...1/4 once spinnerbaits, particularly with stinger hooks. No particular brands. Most types will do the job. Colours for me are...Purples, Blacks, Whites, Red and fluro greens.

In terms of hard bodies: Small bibbed lures like Attacks. Early morning and late afternoon/evening: Poppers are good. Also bibless rattling spot style lures are good for jigging once you spot some fish below on the sounder.

In terms of soft plastics: Small sizes catch big fish too. So don't go too big. Most of the Squidgie line works well. Colour like pink, the natural (black/brown).

Retrives: The slower the retrive the better the catch rate, has been my experience. And I mean sloooooow. I've also had good fun with trolling spinnerbaits. But of course if the fish are in an aggressive mood, then try some faster jerking styles.

Good luck.

Gigantor