Rock fishing: Lure Tactics

[bigtez]

Was going to PM Angus about how he fishes lures on the rocks at Straddie but figured there is probably a few others that could benefit from reading the responses.

Q. What changes to your average luring (HBs and SPs) setup do you make when fishing from rock headlands where there is some surf etc.

Usually I fish from a boat but will probably be doing a bit of rock fishing in the next few weeks as we will be camped at Waddy Point.

Terry

[Angus]

Tougher rod than usual is my first suggestion.

Light gear is awesome (typical bream gear) and you can sometimes get away with it, however, sometimes you also need to wrench a fish away from going under a ledge or around a bit off oyster rock.

With that in mind I also use a heavier, more abbrasion resistant leader. Main line I dont bother changing so usually around 6-8lb but leader i bump up to about 15lb and if there are tailor 20lb. This gives a lot more confidence when being forced to tighten drags and put some hurt on. Mind you, when rock fishing you do hook up to something unstopable every now and again which makes you question the logic of being there with light gear in the first place

Depending on the surge and swell jig head weights may need to be upped as well. However like any other fishing, ill try and get away with as light as a can here. Sometime a 1/8th or even 1/4 is just simply needed when the surge is really powerful. Dont worry though becuase when the surge is like this the heavier jog doesnt seem to put fish off at all!

Angus

[bigtez]

Thanks Angus. I wouldn't have thought to go for a heavier rod, just heavier leader. Will have to check that I still have plenty of 15 n 20lb still.

Are you still able to work bibbed lures or is it just plastics and vibes that are fishable?

[Angus]

bigtez wrote:

Thanks Angus. I wouldn't have thought to go for a heavier rod, just heavier leader. Will have to check that I still have plenty of 15 n 20lb still.

Are you still able to work bibbed lures or is it just plastics and vibes that are fishable?

I have used some bibbed lures, but only on calmer days. I am going to get some of the new Strikers from Damiki as I reckon they would be gold for tailor and trevs.

Vibes I have not really tried, although I have used other lipless lures (like slugs with blade tails) that I usually use for bass. These work fine on trevs and I have caught a bream on them as well.

Admittedly the plastics are easier to use, you actually get the learn how to make the swell work for you which is pretty tough with bibbed lure.

Angus