Jack tactics

[JEWIENEWIE]

Wanna have a crack at a few jacks this season, unsure on how to fish for them. Could some fellow ausfishos post up a pick or two of some lures that are worth a go and info on rigs for live baiting for them, best tides etc also would be great. Thanks in advance
Jewie

[Why-ting]

Hey Jewie. Heres a few lures that work for me.

Top left are Manns 20+ and 12+ good lures if troling rock walls get them smashing the bottom. Works well at night. Get a tackle back before trolling or it will cost you a fortune in lures. If trolling barnicle encrusted rock walls use 50-60lb leader and check it regularly.

Bottom left are surface lures. Black pepper, Chug bug and XPS Slim Dog pencil.

Middle lures are 8-15ft divers. Good for trolling or casting. Macs lures Jackhammer and RMG Scorpians. Also lively lures Mad Mullet are a good lure but not in pic.

Lures on the right have been doing most of the damage for me this year. All shallow diving lures work well on natural structure like fallen trees and rock bars and deadly around floting pontoons in the canals. Shallow Bommers, Jackall Bros Smash minnow, Daiwa TD minnow. Also Halco lazer pro 125 work well.

Theres a few to get you started to cover all situations.

[Why-ting]

Live baiting i use 50-60lb leader with a snooded hook set up. I usually rig these up the night before and put them on a pool noodle to save tying them in the boat after bust offs or snags. I have a few different sizes to match bait size. Best baits are poddy mullet about 18-22cm if you can get them. I usually match these up with 3/0 or 4/0 hooks. Use smaller hooks for smaller baits and up to 6/0 hooks if your keen enough to put out baits over 25cm. The big baits dont go off to often but when they do you want real heavy gear to stop the monsters that hit them.

There will be alot of hours put in to catch your jacks but thats what makes it sooo rewarding when you put them on the deck. Once you get 1 your gone, your become anti- social and spend all your spare time chasing the red bastards.

Just remember there isnt a massive population of jacks in SE QLD so limit your kill, dont kill your limit.

Hope this info helps and you find yourself staring at a red fish shortly.

Cheers Whytey

Rigs on pool noodle ready for some Jack action.

[sarg]

good luck jewie and thats a brilliant idea of the pool noodle have pre rigged leaders before but just bundled the up and they get all tangled so dont bother anymore but now i will with that tip

Andrew