Howdoweplaythis Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Hey everyone, I wanted to start getting into soft plastics. I heard flathead are the easiest species to start off with so i'll try my luck with those. Just wanted to ask which plastics you would recommend for a complete beginner (i read that the 'paddle tail' style ones are best?) and the easiest kind of retrieve to use? Also, how heavy a jighead should i use? I'll probably start out fishing Narrabeen Lake. And one more thing. I'm currently using a 2-4kg fibreglass rod. It's a little heavier and not as thin and 'whippy' as other rods i've seen people use with plastics. But it's light enough for me to flick fairly quickly. Will it work? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhiley Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 hey mate i have caught most of my flathead in narrabeen lake on 3 or 4inch nuclear chicken minnows. If you have a kayak/boat then anchor up near the sand bank point which is near jamieson park i think. 1/6 oz jighead will be fine for the depth here, just make sure it hits the bottom and give the rod one or two fast lifts, retrieving back to boat. Good luck! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinny1 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 It's the only way i fish on most of my trips now,soft plastics are great on so many species from flathead , trevally ,bream right through to kingies.The best setup is always fish as light as the condition will allow.So for the lakes and shallow bay waters ( 2-4mtrs ) a good soft plastcs rod 7'2" long and 2500 reel ( my shimano/catana combo was only $99 )this typical setup is crucial I have found ,to catching and not catching fish.Before my mate Pete got hold of me and steered me in the right direction i was using a slightly thicker butt rod similar in length to my current plastics rod but it just didn't feel the same as it was a little too heavy.I have my reel loaded with 6lb braid and use 2mtrs of 6lb japanese flourocarbon leader ( $25 for approx 70mtrs ).I mainly use Gulp 4" worms as they have the little tail that works well when retrieved at low and high speeds , some good flavours like watermelon and pumpkinseed are my favourites and i always use strong owner jig heads ( lighter the better ),check out my brother in law "big Kev" from Tuncurry catching his 1st Trevally in Botany Bay using a similar setup as described here .Good Luck champ http://www.youtube.com/user/flickinlures?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/IuGZtozxaCI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howdoweplaythis Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 Thanks for the replies. I will be using 6lb fireline. I don't have a boat. With the grubs, what is the best retrieve? Also, other people have recommended the gulp pogy or shaky shad for flatheads. What do you guys think of those for a beginner? Im assuming 1/6 ounce would be appropriate for 'calm' conditions? Would 1/4 ounces be more appropriate if there is a little current and wind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howdoweplaythis Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 Also, what is the difference between the red and blue packets of gulps? The blue says saltwater but the red says nothing. Can the red be used for saltwater too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjchen Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 (edited) hi yes both coloured gulps can be used for salt water.. if you fish of a boat or kayak then 1/8th up to 5m is great, i use this up to 15 knots while drifting with a sea anchor in my hobie. if landbased 1/6th will cast further but it might not tempt a bream. start with 4inch turtleback worms, they do great things. if you want a cheap setup the catanas/raiders and a 1000 size reel is great to start. with 4lb fireline/braid. i use size 1000 because i can flick all day and not get a tired wrist. lowest 8lb for flatheads if your targeting them and you may even tempt a bream. i fish 2m of 6lb leaders for everything in botany bay, make sure its flurocarbon, i use the brand rock FC 100m for like 16bucks (campsie tackle) and that is REALLY cheap usually its $20-25 Edited September 28, 2011 by cjchen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howdoweplaythis Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 (edited) Hit the lake this arvo (have been excited about it all week) Fished the channel in front of the caravan park for an hour or so for nothing. Then moved to the mouth of the lake. They're dredging the lake at the moment (until December according to a local) so it's closed. I thought all the fish would be scared off by all the commotion and noise but i decided to try anyway. I had a cast off the rockwall and first cast i landed a nice 37cm flattie . It's not a spectacular fish by any means, but i was happy as all hell. Was taken on a 3" shaky shad in pumpkinseed. Tried around woolies bridge afterwards with the shaky shads and the minnow grubs for zilch. Will be out again soon with the plastics! Thanks everyone for their help. Edited September 30, 2011 by Howdoweplaythis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelza Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Hit the lake this arvo (have been excited about it all week) Fished the channel in front of the caravan park for an hour or so for nothing. Then moved to the mouth of the lake. They're dredging the lake at the moment (until December according to a local) so it's closed. I thought all the fish would be scared off by all the commotion and noise but i decided to try anyway. I had a cast off the rockwall and first cast i landed a nice 37cm flattie . It's not a spectacular fish by any means, but i was happy as all hell. Was taken on a 3" shaky shad in pumpkinseed. Tried around woolies bridge afterwards with the shaky shads and the minnow grubs for zilch. Will be out again soon with the plastics! Thanks everyone for their help. great work mate..its so good when you get a nice fish on plastics. i normally use gulp minnows 4 inch in the chartreuse colour ..and they are dynamite mate always catch some decent fish on them. my second favourite plastics are the squidy wrigglers..they have a long tail that has alot of action .i use either the bloodworm colour or the garry glitter color.i usually use a 1/8th sized jigg head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izza Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 congrats bro, hoping to crack my first fish on soft plastics soon now that I have a graphite rod n reel with braid so I can have a bit more control over the suckers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Hit the lake this arvo (have been excited about it all week) Fished the channel in front of the caravan park for an hour or so for nothing. Then moved to the mouth of the lake. They're dredging the lake at the moment (until December according to a local) so it's closed. I thought all the fish would be scared off by all the commotion and noise but i decided to try anyway. I had a cast off the rockwall and first cast i landed a nice 37cm flattie . It's not a spectacular fish by any means, but i was happy as all hell. Was taken on a 3" shaky shad in pumpkinseed. Tried around woolies bridge afterwards with the shaky shads and the minnow grubs for zilch. Will be out again soon with the plastics! Thanks everyone for their help. well done Don't forget to look at the articles posted on fishraider - up top of page link says ARTICLES CLICK HERE TO LOOK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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