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
Hi All,
Could someone give me a bit of help with fishing with SP's for Snapper?
I have found my own little patch of ground but am having trouble staying connected. I'm using anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 oz TT's with 3/0 hooks and while I'm getting the hits, staying connected is a real source of frustration.
Do I go a bigger hook?
I'm fishing 8 lb braid with 9 to 12 lb leaders and fish in around 14 to 22 m of water.
I locate the fish and bait schools and cast back towards them in the direction of the drift. When the jig head hits the bottom, I wind in and start again.
All I seem to be getting up is Yakkas, Whiptails, small cod, small Mouri cod, Moses Perch etc. I dropped a couple of goodies yesterday and ended up bringing nothing home, which isn't a real concern, but 1 for the table would have kept Mum happy.
All help appreciated.
Tim
Mate it sounds like you have the technique right.
May i suggest using a heavy wire 2/0 hook and if the run is slow try a 1/8th jighead.
Most times the snapper are higher in the water column so getting on the bottom may take longer but you are more likely to get hit on the way down.
Its been a lean time for snapper the last few weeks in the crystal clear water but i'm sure when the water discolours they will feel more at home and be a little easier to catch.
Cheers Brent
Aquarius is on the money...
The key is to have the lightest jig head possible so it sinks very natural and slow.
I have found most of my hits have been on the drop.
Mate i would swap to using the berkley salt water pro heads in 1/6 or 1/8th oz on a 1/0 hook, they are very strong hooks and the snaps will swaffle them easy which is what you want, i cast out and try and not let my jigh head hit bottom, i point my rod at water and give 2 jerks taking the rod to verticle then let it sink for 4 seconds or so then repeat, i have had great success using 4 inch gulp swimming mullet in pumkin seed and atomic 3 inch minnows in pumkinseed halo, both these offer good value as well.
Thanks guys, I will drop the weight down and try again.
I'm using Zoom Baby Bass, 3 and 4" Gulps but I intend to try some Snapbacks also.
Maybe it has been a litle tough to get the Snapper with the water so clear so persistance might be the key.
Tim
Ah Tim, You just spoke the golden words. 'Persistance' IS the key.
Sounds like you're doing almost everything right just experiment a bit with weight, hook size etc. Also dont know if you actually meant it as it sounded but dont just 'wind in', give the rod a few twitches and pauses as alleycat said. The twitch is equally as important as the pause, you will notice a slightly different technique is required for different styles of plaztic. (practice in shallow water where you can see what the lure is doing as you work it)
Snap backs are good, virtually indestructible too, so when the fish are "ON" you can use the same plaztic over and over. Never had one tear, can use the same one for a whole session, where as with other plaztix you might use a whole packet.
Hi Plaztix,
I cast out and let the lure do its business with the occassional twitch and when it hits the bottom, bounce it around for a while and then retrieve, so I guess I'm doing most things right.
By the time this cast has hit the bottom, I have to motor away to find the bait/fish/structure again so I'm covering a fair bit of water, sometimes with the engine running, sounder always on.
It will all happen for me one day, so I will stick with it.
What sort of braid and leader do you guys use?
Tim
Tim i use 8lb crystal fireline and nitlon 16lb leader, and try not to keep that motor on or putt around too much, ie if you know your grounds try and get set so you can have a good long drift over it then motor up and then go back to start of drift and repeat if fish are there, BUT dont just fly back over where you just drifted!!!, go back via a big arch, you with me?, yes use your noodle not your doodle.
I use a variety of different braids for different circumstances but pretty much always yamamoto fluorocarbon leader.
My favourite setup is spooled with 8lb braid and either 10 or 12lb leader depending on what i'm targeting and where.
If your spot requires a lot of motoring to stay where you need to, it might be worth looking into an electric. constantly starting and stopping your petrol motor might be why you arent getting anything of any size??? maybe.
If an electric isn't an option do like alley said, start way up current/ up wind of your spot drift through and well past the area the fish are holding and motor the LLLOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGG way round.
As stated previously reduce the weight of your jighead to the minimum that is needed to drop it to the bottom, in that depth of water the fish will more than likely be off the bottom and they will hit on the drop. If you are casting ahead of your drift as you said you should be able to scale it right back to 1/8 or even lighter if your drift is slower. Another thing that you can try if your getting bites but no hookups is reducing your plastic size, the fish may just be grabbing at the tail, if you go from say a 5inch down to a 4inch on the same jighead the point of your hook is now 1inch closer to the tail which could be the difference between hooking a fish or not.
Check out nitro jig heads, some of their models have a longer shank hook than TTs and I reckon the hooks are stronger too. Snapbacks are bloody good, not only are they nearly indestructable but they have a super wiggly action.
You threw me off by saying shallow water at 14 to 22 mtrs. I have been catching big snapper in only 8 to 10 feet on 10 pound fireline and 12 pound leader and only 1.5 ounce jighead at dawn and dusk with good old faithfull lime tigers at any style and 2 to 5 inch but you need to go back to a day plastic once light has come over 2 inch prawn molt or 3 inch realistix. Cheers and the more plastic fishermen the better.
I'm sure once the penny drops, I will wonder why it didn't click, but that's fishing.
Thanks to all for the help and I feel sure the big one is not too far away.
Tim
I'm hearing you on this one Greg,
But I have gone this far and the thrill of the chase has got to me. By the time I have worked it out, the Snapper will have gone and the Mackerel will have turned up probably. Anyway, you can't stop learning and it is good clean fun.
Tim
Reply With Quote
