My Own Newbie Questions

[swong]

Heyas,

I've spent the last few months getting into fishing. I've read a few books and scoured the forums for valuable information (and there is TONS here. . .10000000xthanks). . .but i've got a few questions i hope i can ask. . im sure there will be a stupid question here somewhere. . but hey, if i dont ask. . i know i wont learn!

I only just realised i should be washing my rod & reel. . .do i just use a hose? or does it have to be soapy water?. . .and when i wash it do i literally wash EVERYTHING? i.e. even the reel with the line on it? . . last time i just took the reel off and wiped everything down with a cloth dipped in warm water.

I've been using soft plastics a lot lately (partly out of novelty, but mainly cos my skin develops a rash when touching prawns too much). . .after using them can i re-use them again? After using one yesterday I put it back into a sandwhich zip-lock bag. . I believe it's a Squidgy Shad if that makes a difference. . (i noticed Gulps come in a bag with liquid. . i pressume you need to keep it in that?)

When i've walked thru the fishing aisles in the stores, I've noticed that lures and plastics dont mention what species they target (well some do, but mostly they dont). Is this because it's mostly trial and error? and what might work here might not work somewhere else? (and vice versa). In my case, I just intend to fish in sydney in my spare time and dont intend (for now anyways) planning on any specific trips off-shore or inland etc.

At the moment, my stomping grounds is Fig Tree Bridge where there are lots of sand flats - because it's quite shallow (i've seen people standing in the water during low tide) i've been using a light jig-head. . .but using a light jig-head means I cant cast very far from land. Would i be correct in saying my options are either to get a heavier jig-head or just invest in boots/waders to stand on the flats and cast?

. . my final question (for now i think! ). . are there videos that show me how to hold fish?? I've looked up youtube and altho you can kind of make educated guesses from normal fishing clips, are there any specific instructions for holding particular fish? Since im quite prone to rashes from prawns, im not quite keen on getting %%%%%ed by fish either. . .should i use gloves? or would that hurt the fish?

Anyways. . if you got this far, thanks for your patience. . any answers or help would be such a bonus!

Thanks.

[slinkymalinky]

I only just realised i should be washing my rod & reel. . .do i just use a hose? or does it have to be soapy water?. . .and when i wash it do i literally wash EVERYTHING? i.e. even the reel with the line on it? . . last time i just took the reel off and wiped everything down with a cloth dipped in warm water.

- Cleaning your gear is important if you want it to stay in good condition. Wiping reels down with a damp cloth is actually a pretty OK way to do it. Rinsing under running water takes some care but is what most people do since it's quick, easy and effective at getting rid of the salt and grime from all the nooks and crannies. Before you rinse a reel, in most cases (some lever drags are different) do the drag up tight. This will reduce the chances of water getting into the drag system (to be avoided at all times). I'd personally advise rinsing under gently flowing water. A hard spray or dunking will see water get into places it shouldn't go and can drive contaminants further into your reel. A wipe over with soapy water before rinsing is good as it breaks down salt better. After it's dry, a spray with something like Innox is worthwhile for protection too.

There's no 'best way' to do it. Everyone has their own ideas but if you stick to the principles of cleaning your gear after each trip and approach it from the point of view of getting rid of the salt on the outside while avoiding getting water on the inside. You'll be doing well.

I've been using soft plastics a lot lately (partly out of novelty, but mainly cos my skin develops a rash when touching prawns too much). . .after using them can i re-use them again? After using one yesterday I put it back into a sandwhich zip-lock bag. . I believe it's a Squidgy Shad if that makes a difference. . (i noticed Gulps come in a bag with liquid. . i pressume you need to keep it in that?)

Soft plastics can be reused as often as you like as long as they hold together. Gulps will dry out and shrink into a little hard lump if left out of the packet but can still be reused if you pop them back in... The Gulp Alive's can actually be 'recharged' apparently (other Raiders will tell you of my Gulp aversion so I haven't tried them). Eventually, plastic tails will fall to bits but as long as you can keep them on a jig head and they look and swim the way you want, keep reusing them.

When i've walked thru the fishing aisles in the stores, I've noticed that lures and plastics dont mention what species they target (well some do, but mostly they dont). Is this because it's mostly trial and error? and what might work here might not work somewhere else? (and vice versa). In my case, I just intend to fish in sydney in my spare time and dont intend (for now anyways) planning on any specific trips off-shore or inland etc.

It's kind of impossible to list species for lures... depending on where or how you fish with a given lure you could catch anything from bream to barramundi. Don't try to think about what plastic a particular fish will like. Instead try to think about what the fish you're after eats and where it eats it. Then get lures and plastics that imitate their natural food best. If you're after flathead for example, they eat a lot of prawns, shrimps and small baitfish and feed on the bottom... so get a prawn or baitfish plastic around 3-5" long and jig heads heavy enough to make sure you can keep it on or near the bottom. Think like bait!

At the moment, my stomping grounds is Fig Tree Bridge where there are lots of sand flats - because it's quite shallow (i've seen people standing in the water during low tide) i've been using a light jig-head. . .but using a light jig-head means I cant cast very far from land. Would i be correct in saying my options are either to get a heavier jig-head or just invest in boots/waders to stand on the flats and cast?

I don't know Fig Tree bridge so I can't answer specifically but again, don't think about it in terms of a particular spot. Try to become familiar with the types of conditions and locations preferred by particular species of fish. It's again often about where the food they like is easiest to come by. On a sand flat when the tide is rising, fish like whiting and mullet will move up onto the flats to get at all the shrimps and worms they can't get at low tide. Flathead are ambush hunters so will likely hold in deeper channels or drop-offs where water drains off the flats on a dropping tide... so they can catch a meal as it is forced off the flats.

Don't fall into the trap of believing you have to cast a long way to catch fish. The fish will be where the food is and sometimes that's at your feet in only inches of water. If you feel you need to wade the flats to get to the right sort of water, then a pair of wading shoes or waders are good. Use jig heads that suit your target... using a big heavy head might get you more distance but might also mean you can't make your plastic behave like a tempting food item.

. . my final question (for now i think! ). . are there videos that show me how to hold fish?? I've looked up youtube and altho you can kind of make educated guesses from normal fishing clips, are there any specific instructions for holding particular fish? Since im quite prone to rashes from prawns, im not quite keen on getting %%%%%ed by fish either. . .should i use gloves? or would that hurt the fish?

I've got a daughter with severe shellfish allergies. To some extent it sounds like you may have too. Don't take it lightly... if you've never had it checked out by a doctor, do it. In extreme cases, like with my daughter, it can be life threatening. She too gets a rash if she touches a prawn, but if she ate one it's ambulance time. That way you'll also know if it's only shellfish that are a problem. My daughter has no problems with fin fish.

There are no comprehensive instructions on how to hold fish that I've seen. You need to learn where all the spiky, nasty bits are on any species and handle them accordingly. You can get gloves from a tackle store for handling spiky fish... you'll often see them when people like Hodgey are holding up a flathead (more spines and bitey bits than you can poke a stick at!). The best bet is to ask about specific fish you might encounter on your next trip or better still, head out with an experienced mate. You'll very quickly learn what to do with a bit of experience. No matter what you do though, expect to get spiked or chomped occasionally.

Be safe.

Cheers, Slinky