My first Bonito - on a "popper"

[fishoman]

I have only been fishing in Botany for a few months so am trying a few things through trial and error. I launched on foreshore Rd ramp and went out towards the heads for a bit of bottom bouncing. I could see fish on the sounder but couldnt hook anything. So after a while and losing a few traces decided that i would try a bit of trolling.

I put out a Rapala 3m diving lure and started to troll. Looking back i could see the lure skipping along the surface and it would only dive under for a few seconds at a time. I tried different speeds (3knts, 6 knots, 8 knots) and still couldnt get it to stay under. As my frustration started to build (only after 2 minutes) the lure was hit on the surface. I was very surprised and excited to get a small Bonito (my first ever), which went straight in the esky after bleeding it. I immediately put on another lure, which again popped along the surface and aging was hit by a fish within 2 minutes. This one was a bit bigger and took a while to get in and land on my own. For a quick trip out i was elated to get my first Bonito.

Any tips on how to get the Rapala lures to stay down? I tried different speeds and let out plenty of line. They were connected to the mainline with a swivel and clip.

cheers

[Robofish]

Hi fishoman,

Great work on your first bonnie. To be fair, I have never had the issue that you had with your rapala. I mainly use the xraps and they troll straight out if the box at much higher speeds than what you were trying - what sort of rapala were you using?

Dave

[fishoman]

I was using a Rapala xrap with a small 3m diving bib. The lure was about 10cm long.

[RichieR]

I have the same trouble - I think you need to go faster or try adding a barrell sinker or two to the line before the lure (I havent tried this But I have seen others recommend it

[jrakasp]

let more line out and see how that goes

[General Zod]

If your rod was pointing up that might be the problem. When you spin from the rocks your rod faces down. Also when you spin from the rocks your not spinning at 3 knots its a lot slower. Maybe try and lower your rod tip, and if the rod is to stiff that can effect it as well especially if it's pointing up.

Hope that helps.

[Formosan]

Rapala Xrap Magnums 10 or 15 never hardly ever skip even going faster than 11km/h.

General Zod is right. If you put the rod on the rod holder and it is pointing skywards. that can cause it. You should grab the line put an elastic band around the line and loop it onto the reel's handle.

This will keep the line low and unlikely to skip a \nd when the fish hits it..the rubber breaks and you are on.

.

[J Hooked]

I haven't had any troubles with mine either. I've had my rods at 90 deg and 45 deg. Are you using lures for trolling, or lures for spinning to troll?

[campr]

Something must be wrong with lure or your set-up. Try Following to tune your outfit.

Check how lure swims my casting out a little way and slowly retrieving with rod tip near water. If lure swims to one side you have found problem and lure needs tuning. Gently bend eye of lure with pliers towards direction it swam and try again. Do this a little at a time until it swims true. Rapala used to have an instruction sheet for this with all their lures.

Also, check your knot and swivel etc are all in line. Some snaps pull sliightly off centre.

Try discarding swivel/clip and tie straight to lure with a loop knot.

RonC