PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 Help needed with SP's in shallows - Page 2
Hi Tim, to pick up hits from fish high in the water, I'll cast as long and hard as i can but keeping the line horizontal instead of a big arc which will catch the wind and create a big arc on the water when it lands. I try to watch the flight of the placcy and I'll close the bail arm right before it hits the water, drop the rod tip to the water and quickly take up the slack line. The long low cast produces less slack line on the water than higher arcing casts and is therefore quicker to bring up to tension. At the moment I'm trying to get better at using my left hand only to cast while using my right to flick the bail arm then grab the handle right away. I figure the quicker I can get ready the better. Give a lighter weight ago, maybe 1/12 or 1/16 for a slower drop still, one time, the biggest fish we caught was on the lightest weight of the day, a 1/12 TT, but that was also around high tide.
When bringing the lure back in, I hop it all the way back to the boat, so that when it comes out of the water, I've brought it up from right under the boat, instead of being able to see it coming in through the water from several meters away, the more time spent in the zone the better. Another thing, have a go in water only a few meters deep. In the last 8 months practically all of our fish have come out of water 2-10 meters. Everyone has given some pretty helpful advice here, hopefully we'll see a pic of your results!! Good Luck.
Hey tim another little tip for you that will see you catch more fish by not wasting time when the fish are about, you will find that your lure will get taken in first 30% of retrieve or not at all, so instead of wasting time jigging all the way back to the boat just bounce it for the first say 10-15 mteres and then retrieve and cast to new water.
Ausfish just amazes me, this site is soooooo helpful, and I think this thread has been one of the best. Thanks Tim_N for starting it, and thanks everyone for the great advice.
I would be persevering with the 3/0 jigs but maybe as suggested drop your weight to the minimum you need to reach the bottom. In 22m of water I would be thinking that would take a good minute or two at the very least.
I find the deeper the water the shorter I cast and the more i feed out line to reduce belly and water drag on the line.
You need to moderate the speed of your drift if you are fishing deep waters. I use a bowmount lecky but I have also used sea anchors with good effect as well. Overcoming the wind effect opposing the tidal movement is the biggest problem you will have. Unless you can match the water movement you will not attain a natural drop nearer the bottom.
I work the water all the way from the touchdown to almost directly under the boat and I like to give the fish AMPLE time to take an interest in the lure. Don't be getting impatient and working it too quickly.
If your grounds vary in depth from as you say 8m to 22m I would be working over the 8m zones a lot more thoroughly at dawn / dusk and the deeper waters during the brighter parts of the day.
I scored a nice 50cm fork length squire this morning in 8 feet of water off Scarby reef on a 1/8oz 3/0 TT head and a 4" powerbait minnow. Every other boat was fishing waters 12 feet to 18 feet deep. I saw three other guys hook up in two hours. I hooked up twice and landed one of them not the best of mornings out there.
Thanks Jack,
I'm off to the shops today to get some more jig heads in the 1/8 range, more flurocarbon leader, more plastics and whatever else takes my fancy.
The best part of this style of fishing is it is hands on the whole time and my wife loves it. It's better than soaking a bait, it's more like hunting, very active and thought provoking.
Yes Ausfish is a great place when the more experienced people can help out the learners, the wealth of knowledge is unbelievable.
I think this thread has not only helped me, but anyone else who has followed it.
I will keep you posted on the results and if you see a little guy with a big grin holding a snapper, well that will be me.
Tim
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