SPs Off Southport

[Scalem]

I said I had a little video to post up, in my thread entitled "Last Cast Wins The Day" which is in the Offshore section. Here is the link http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...d.php?t=167059

The video, while quality is quite poor, demonstrates one of the techniques I use when attracting a Snapper to the soft plastic lure. The last photo of the 80cm model was not caught this way, but with a high speed retrieval of the same plastic, same rig as the smaller snapper in the video. There would be many experienced plastics users that already know that the various techniques you can use are numerous and varied, this is only one. But I hope that this footage shows something to try for the less experienced using soft plastics. I will explain what enticed the strike. This is using a Berkley dropshot 4-8kg spin stick, Penn Applause 4000 series reel with 20lb braid and 12lb rock flurocarbon leader ( I like fishing light - it makes it more challenging if not suicidal ) and home made 3/4 ounce jighead with 7/0 Gamakatsu 90RBHW hook, 7" berkley gulp pink shine shad.

• I had cast the plastic to approx 10 o'clock angle, leaving the spool open for a while, as the plastic sunk to the bottom
• Because I had not had a strike yet by the time the plastic had reached the bottom, I opened the bail arm, and stripped more line off the spool by both lifting the rod high, and also feeling the line in my left hand with the spool open
• I quickly closed the bail arm, and gave the rod tip a quick, but short lift, then dropped the rod tip down again. That was enough to for the fish to strike! Enjoy the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOC7RA1GVcE

Scalem

[Poodroo]

The editing on that video clip turned out amazingly well Brian. I need some lessons from Kelly I think.

Poodroo

[Scalem]

errmm cough cough.....

Kelly had nothing to do with it, I figured it out myself

Except the sound dissappeared half way through, but i think I know why. Oh well, it'll do!

Scalem

[MattChew]

Nice footage brothers ... keep up the good work. Did I say I was a Cameraman in a former life

Cheers
Matt

[the gecko]

Nice work brian. How do you handle the current, do you drift or anchor up?

[Scalem]

Hi Andrew

I must check my anchor out, I have forgotten what it looks like, never use it.

On this occasion there was very little currrent, but the wind was picking up and because the tide had started to run, wind against slight tidal movement meant that 3/4 ounce was getting a little light, which is why I stripped more line off the spool by raising the rod high while the bail arm was open, which then allowed the plastic to drop down. A slight twitch again was all that I needed.

If I wanted to stay with 3/4 ounce the next move might have been to throw out a para anchor to stay with the tide flow, but these days I think a bit of run makes the plastic work for you.

I better not tell you too much more, offshore fish are in a lot of trouble if you learn as much as you know about catching MJs

Scalem