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 for plastics beginner
I think its time to give the plastics craze a go, cause after fishing this morn, I have just spent an hour cleaning my boat, and it and me still smell of bait. Also I have not been catching fish on bait, and constantly see others on ausfish catching snapper on plastics.
I really have no idear about plastics although I have used hard bodied lures a fair bit.
I have just started fishing Moreton Bay and am targetting snapper/squire. Any advice on plastics fishing for snapper would be much appreciated? my main questions are below (as I said i know nothing at all about plastics so please bare with me)
1. Do I need to buy a new combo for plastics? Does it have to be a spin set-up? I currently have a 7 foot 8-10kg snapper rod with a 6500 spin reel using 20lb line. Can I use that setup with plastics? (I also use an overhead combo for bait, but guessing I cant use that) If not, what setup do i need + line size?
2. How do I buy and rig up plastics? Do you buy jig heads and the plastics seperate, then feed the plastic onto the jig head? Does it say on the packet what size jighead to use with each different plastic? How do you rig up - Main line, swivle, leader, jighead? How do you choose which plastic?
3. Is it always cast and retrieve? or can you just let the plastic sit on the bottom?
when cast and retrieve, whats the method? do ya let it sit for a while or start retrieving staright away? retreive slow? or retrieve fast? do you work the rod on retrieve?
I know there's heaps there, but If you could help with anything that would be great. Please remember im targetting snapper in the bay. I dont wanna catch bream, flatties or whiting(had enough of that)
Also please dont make this a debate on plastics vs bait. I simply want to try plastics and need advice.
Hey Summertrace, yes you should get a new combo like a Sonic Pro 5-8kg Shimano stick from BCF for $59.00, reel is anything that feels light and durable I'd go 2500 - 4000 size in a Shimano, I have a Shimano Sahara and they're a great reel for what you are wishing to produce, Fit it with 12 - 15lb Green Fireline. I have a couple of plastics and retrieves you could also try. Use 3-5inch SP's in, Nuclear Chicken, Lime Tiger, Boji Blue with a 1/4th jig head vary in size depending on current and wind. There are 3 retrieves I would use in the Bay for Snapper, they are, let it hit the bottom and jerk rod up then wind once then vise versa. Drop the soft plastic to the bottom and then retrive slowly up to the boat with a few jerks and quick winds of the reel. Last one is just let it drift in the current and retrieve 2 metres of line every 10 seconds and let it drift again.
Yeh,get a lighter rod,i have a Copperpro rod,i'm not sure if you would have heard about them,i didn't even know about them until i went to the shops,with a Daiwa Crossfire 2000,but that is for bream and flathead so i would get a bigger rod and reel for snapper,some plastics have jigheads in them and some don't,don't use a swivel but if you have braid use a monofilament leader,your line size should be around 12-16lb,tailorboi99 has the rest covered
you need a combo that you can cast many times in a day without getting tired. so if you have something like that you dont have to go out and buy a SP specific rig until you get bitten by the placcy bug.
Something that does help is braid or fireline.
for a beginner you can buy some half decent plastics with the weight built in. but i would go straight to the jighead and put your own plastic on. the one of the best plastic for snapper seems to be nuclear chicken 4-5" in jerk shad (if you can find them) the jig head weights all depends on depth current, type of plastic, you need to keep the weight as light as you can but still finding the bottom.
as for the retrieve there are many different types you can try. try slow retrieve with pauses and slight flicks with the tip of the rod anywhere from 2inches to a foot each flick. many time your plastic will get hit on the way to the bottom.
But my best advice would be to surf this site in the reports and also in the saltwater sections as many people have posted the best way they use plastics.
also try and get a hold of a DVD called berkley soft plastic with adam maddog router. it help me out greatly.
one last thing that helped me catch the bug is DONT take BAIT when you try (its to distracting) them and be persistent.
yes it would be good to get a slightly lighter rod but stick with what you have for now incase you do not like placcie fishing. try to use as lighter jighead as possible in the conditions that you are faced with. You don't neccessarily need to buy berkley Gulps! but other plastics work well too such as powerbaits, squidgies and also ... (ex famous snapper plastic i forgot the name sorry ). you can either use a vertical jigging motion or cast out and hop it twice then pause for 3 seconds or what i like to do get a gulp and a very light jighead cast it out into strong current and let it flow along, i have caught many great fish this way. i hope it helps,
Thanks heaps for all the advice guys, im taking it all onboard and will get some gear and try it out soon. Hmmm, do I tell the misses, or just sneak it into the shed? not a hard question really.
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). you can either use a vertical jigging motion or cast out and hop it twice then pause for 3 seconds or what i like to do get a gulp and a very light jighead cast it out into strong current and let it flow along, i have caught many great fish this way. i hope it helps,