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Written by Barry
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Wednesday, 07 March 2007 |
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OK, you've studied the rigs, remembered the reefs, mastered the methods and fueled up the boat. These are the top 9 reasons why I outfish my mates 3:1
- Select Your Target Species
When planning a fishing trip, select one of two species as your primary target. When making your selection refer to the bite indicators in the Species menu. Thoroughly prepare and organise your boat, the gear, rigs and bait in readiness to do business with your chosen target.
- Use Lighter Guage Fishing Line
There is some attraction in the idea of always using 50lb breaking strain incase a world record fish comes your way (and you wouldn't want to break off that baby would you). It may come as a surprise, but fisherman who use light lines usually catch more fish. And bigger ones at that!. There are reasons and theories put forward to explain this, but it is beyond this is another topic in itself, suffice to say that my recommendation is to use as light a line as you can master. As a general rule use around 10kg line and once you've mastered this move down to 6-8kg as a bottom limit. You'll be surprised at the quality of fish you catch at this level. Try not to exceed 15kg in line strength.
- Use Better Grade Bait
Time and again, fisherman using better quality bait have outfished others alongside them using lower grade baits.
- Use A Variety Of Baits
On certain occasions a particular species favours one type of bait above all others, while on other occasions the same species favours different baits. Marine biologists can comfortably explain why. As fisherman, all we need to understand is that we must be prepared to present different baits at different times of the day. Be prepared!
- Bigger Fish Favour A Bigger Bait
Examination of the stomach contents of fish shows they swallow other fish that are quite large in relation to their own size. By comparison with mature fish, we expect them to have larger mouths and bigger appetites. Experiements have shown that when a bait of a particular size is presented to a number of fish of the same species but of varying sizes, the fish that usually takes the baitis the one who can swallow it whole. A simple message - use bigger baits to hunt bigger fish.
- Anchor In Relation To A Feature
On the offshore fishing grounds, a feature can be a pinnacle, a drop-off, gutter, a gravel bed, a patch of wire-weed and so on. Studies of fish bellies indicate they tend to hang around features. If the feature is an isolated feature they tend to hang around the down current side, because they know the current will carry food to them.
- Be Patient (for a while at least ...)
Whether you have decided to fish at anchore, or go trolling, patience is the key. If you are fishing at anchore and using berley, fish will eventually come if the conditions are right. It may take an hour or more, but if they are around and on the chew they will come. As a rule I wait up to 1 1/2 hours before I up anchor and move.
- Be Flexible
If nothing is happening after 1 1/2 hours, move to another set of fishing grounds or try a different style of fishing. Don't waste your day just targetting one species of fish.
- When 1 Hour equals 3 Hours
As a general rule of thumb, if you let out a steady stream of burley during daylight for one hour, it has the same benefits as fishing without burley for 3 hours. The fish just love it and your results improve.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 30 June 2008 )
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