Line Selections

[pomey_git]

Just a quick one guys.

Got a cheap set up to try my luck with soft plastics.

3-6kg ugly stick combo.

What would you guys recomend I spool up with? and how do I stop wind knots ect?

Also, what are the benefits of fluro carbon?

Cheers guys

[PRED-ATOR]

Hi Mate,

I'd start off with 6lb braid, 10lb FC leader. Focus on simple joining knots such as uni knots. (im assuming your using something like a 2500 sized reel)

A PE Braid such as berkley fire line is good as it holds some memory and isnt too hard to tie with (some limp braids can get difficult at times)

As for benefits with fluro carbon im guessing vs mono? i only use fluro for soft plastics which has good shock absorbtion and low visibility.

When your starting out with soft plastics, keep it simple. use a loop knot (i think thats what they're called) to tie your jigheads and i find using as light weight as possible to be the best. Swim your lure in shallow clear water so you know how it swims and immitate bait fish in the area.

Make sure your SP's are on the jig heads correctly and focus on one fish species at a time.

If your fishing from a boat, make use of your sounder and look for structure, drop off and dramatic changes in the sea floor.

Soft plastics are an awesome way of catching fish and is really really effective so dont give up you will eventually catch fish.

I hope this helps mate, im happy to show you a few things if you like.

Cheers,

Stan

[pomey_git]

Cheers stan,

Thats a great help. I have had a couple of small flatties on SPs but I can see their potential.

I'll give that lot a trial run in the next couple of weeks.

I've been using a briad main with a mono leader. I cant seem to get too much distance on the cast either. Does the lighter line help with that?

[rockfisherman]

Just a quick one guys.

Got a cheap set up to try my luck with soft plastics.

3-6kg ugly stick combo.

What would you guys recomend I spool up with? and how do I stop wind knots ect?

Also, what are the benefits of fluro carbon?

Cheers guys

Not to say you couldn't use that combo, but ugly stiks are very bendy and it wouldn't give your lure the same sort of movement a graphite rod would, also if its the reel that usually comes with the combo, it's a cheap Shakespeare reel, not bad for occasional bait fishing but when fishing with plastics your reel is constantly working, even something like a shimano sienna is an awesome entry level plastics reel.

You can spool it up with fireline, a reliable braid at a reliable price, I'd go 4-6lb (theres instructions in the box on how to spool it on, also apply resistance with a wet cloth to get the line on nice and tight and dont over fill your spool, the resistance the lip creates is part of avoiding wind knots) with a 6-8lb fluorocarbon leader, flouro remains transparent in water and has good abrasive resistance, you wouldn't use anything else .

Good luck

Fishingphase

[PRED-ATOR]

Cheers stan,

Thats a great help. I have had a couple of small flatties on SPs but I can see their potential.

I'll give that lot a trial run in the next couple of weeks.

I've been using a briad main with a mono leader. I cant seem to get too much distance on the cast either. Does the lighter line help with that?

Based on the rod you describe, i believe your casting may be effected by the use of an ugly stick. great rod however casting small plastics might be better suited to a 1-3kg graphite rod. you will be suprised how cheap they can be these days.

A lighter line will help with casting, your jighead might have something to do with this too.

Also, flathead are probably the best fish to target when first using SP's : )

[pomey_git]

ok... I'm a fluro convert! thanks guys