sam bros Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 So every year I see loads of people catching bonito and frigates off terrigal haven around late summer and early autumn Last year, everytime I went, I managed to either forget a tackle box or forget the lures But this year I have gone several times I use a wide array of metal lures and spin them off the rocks Most recently I did a 4 hour session yesterday, I managed to hook up once in the four hours and it somehow busted me off So I still have not caught my target species while the people around me are catching them I am now turning to fellow raiders for some help What am I doing wrong? I use a range of halcos, gillies and surecatch lures with a medium action 6 and a half foot ugly stik using a Shakespeare agility reel (10lb line ) Is there any tips or tricks anyone can provide me with ? Also I don't have a fly rod so I can't chase them with flies Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchie18092 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Strange - have you tried varying up your retrieve? I.e. Letting it sink and cranking it up to the surface, rinse and repeat. Perhaps the metals you are using are too big? I have much better success with 10/5/3g lures though they can be a bit more difficult to get some distance on. If they still aren't hitting those try a soft plastic in a minnow or little paddle tail profile and rip that along the surface. My personal favourite are the Izumi gastronomic bait pin-tails. Sure to get something!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Strange - have you tried varying up your retrieve? I.e. Letting it sink and cranking it up to the surface, rinse and repeat. Perhaps the metals you are using are too big? I have much better success with 10/5/3g lures though they can be a bit more difficult to get some distance on. If they still aren't hitting those try a soft plastic in a minnow or little paddle tail profile and rip that along the surface. My personal favourite are the Izumi gastronomic bait pin-tails. Sure to get something!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks for the advice Yeah i've tried varying the retrieve I have a range of metals from 5 grams to 20 What size jighead do you use with the soft plastics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb111 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I use an 8'6" rod with a fast action. I can get 50 metre casts with 15 gm metals, and 80+ with 25 g metals. Perhaps the rod you're using has too slow an action and is too short. I also have a high gear reel - 95 cm per wind, bonnies and frigates both love speed, not sure about the gear ratio of your reel mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 I use an 8'6" rod with a fast action. I can get 50 metre casts with 15 gm metals, and 80+ with 25 g metals. Perhaps the rod you're using has too slow an action and is too short. I also have a high gear reel - 95 cm per wind, bonnies and frigates both love speed, not sure about the gear ratio of your reel mate. Thanks for the reply mate, I use the Shakespeare agility reel (size 4000) AGL840 Has a 5.2:1 gear ratio Is this not high enough or do I need a faster reel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydneyfisher12 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Went down there once and did well thefisherman6784 dose reall well there too. Early mornings and late afternoons are then best times. I think your rod it too short you need to be making long casts out letting it sink and then crank it back. You need to be in the right spot off the point is the best. Metals that worked for me were 10 and 20g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchie18092 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks for the advice Yeah i've tried varying the retrieve I have a range of metals from 5 grams to 20 What size jighead do you use with the soft plastics? 1/8th or can afford to go a touch heavier. Using an Abu Garcia Vanguard 7"3 3-4kg - can get em out a fair way. Mind you i should mention this is fishing inside the harbour so could prob step it up a notch off the rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest no one Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Coconut rigs are ripping Bonnies out at little bay. Use a 7-10 foot "flick stick" (a rod which is whippy enough to give a good launch). Ugly sticks are great rods but mainly boat rods. I chuck 40g metals miles and hook up often, but on heavier rods it's just not any sport, so my personal choice is something whippy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb111 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) If you can afford it go for a shimano stradic 4000 and a 7-9 foot graphite rod such as an impact nano with your choice of length. If you're using a 6'6" rod 10' will feel strange so maybe try an 8' rod with a 4-6 or 6-8 kg rating Edited March 25, 2015 by nickb111 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 If you can afford it go for a shimano stradic 4000 and a 7-9 foot graphite rod such as an impact nano with your choice of length. If you're using a 6'6" rod 10' will feel strange so maybe try an 8' rod with a 4-6 or 6-8 kg rating I do have 7, 8 10 and 12 foot rods as well. but for spinning I always prefer a 6 or 7 foot as I like to go as light as possible. Distance isn't really a big issue a I cast pretty much the same distance if not further than those around me and somehow they manage to catch and I don't Anyway I'm gonna go again tomorrow throughout the day for a session and bring my 8 foot as well, Hopefully my luck changes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Coconut rigs are ripping Bonnies out at little bay. Use a 7-10 foot "flick stick" (a rod which is whippy enough to give a good launch). Ugly sticks are great rods but mainly boat rods. I chuck 40g metals miles and hook up often, but on heavier rods it's just not any sport, so my personal choice is something whippy! Thanks for the info mate, but what is a coconut rig? And also I don't think 40g metals are ideal for Frigate Mackerel I only use that size for the surf when targeting tailor and salmon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisholb Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Sam I was like u when I started fishing off rocks Everyone else is catching except me n my mates One day we asked one of the locals to show us the rig he was using n from that time on we started bagging out The local showed us the rig that was catching bonito salmon kingy n any other pelagics The rig consist of squid skirt tied to a float. Below r d details of d rig Squid skirt size 7cm Colour can be clear white blue pink Large squidding float Large ball sinker for casting distance Lumo beads Trace as long as your rod 3/0-4/0 longshank hook Below r d steps to tie d rig Cut a hole on top of d squid skirt so u can insert d trace Insert trace to skirt from top to bottom Put a lumo bead to stop hook from going thru d hole on d skirt Tie the hook to d bottom of d trace Tie a swivel to other end of trace To tie mainline to rig u do d following Put float stopper on mainline Insert lumo bead Insert float Insert lumo bead Insert ball sinker Insert lumo bead Tie mainline to rig U can use fixed floats if u want Squid skirt Goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest no one Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 And that sir... Is a coconut rig! Except we use them like one massive lure, the float works like a teaser, then the fish hit the lure! Very very effective, but you need a heavier rod for these as your constantly working the rig like a big lure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisholb Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 And that sir... Is a coconut rig! Except we use them like one massive lure, the float works like a teaser, then the fish hit the lure! Very very effective, but you need a heavier rod for these as your constantly working the rig like a big lure! we use 12ft to 15ft rods for casting distance using this type of lure we use 8ft-10ft when using plastics metals and hbs the coconut rig is d cheapest n most effective lure when chasing pelagics like bonito salmon kingys frigates Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Sam I was like u when I started fishing off rocks Everyone else is catching except me n my mates One day we asked one of the locals to show us the rig he was using n from that time on we started bagging out The local showed us the rig that was catching bonito salmon kingy n any other pelagics The rig consist of squid skirt tied to a float. Below r d details of d rig Squid skirt size 7cm Colour can be clear white blue pink Large squidding float Large ball sinker for casting distance Lumo beads Trace as long as your rod 3/0-4/0 longshank hook Below r d steps to tie d rig Cut a hole on top of d squid skirt so u can insert d trace Insert trace to skirt from top to bottom Put a lumo bead to stop hook from going thru d hole on d skirt Tie the hook to d bottom of d trace Tie a swivel to other end of trace To tie mainline to rig u do d following Put float stopper on mainline Insert lumo bead Insert float Insert lumo bead Insert ball sinker Insert lumo bead Tie mainline to rig U can use fixed floats if u want Squid skirt Goodluck Thank you for the very descriptive post, Much appreciated But I don't understand what the point of the floaty is, (other than as a teaser as tef1on mentioned) can it be used without one And do these skirts have any weight with them or do you need a sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisholb Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thank you for the very descriptive post, Much appreciated But I don't understand what the point of the floaty is, (other than as a teaser as tef1on mentioned) can it be used without one And do these skirts have any weight with them or do you need a sinker as mentioned by tef the float acts as a teaser the skirts dont have any weight so i need a sinker to cast them u can try without the float but it is most effective with a float attached casting takes a while to get used to as well due the long trace goodluck Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 as mentioned by tef the float acts as a teaser the skirts dont have any weight so i need a sinker to cast them u can try without the float but it is most effective with a float attached casting takes a while to get used to as well due the long trace goodluck Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Would a squid float with the reflective mirrors be better than a regular float? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisholb Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Would a squid float with the reflective mirrors be better than a regular float?Yes it isSome uses it Got more weight which gives more casting distance Watch those fishos who use this type of rig Th retrieve is different from using a normal lure Goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yes it is Some uses it Got more weight which gives more casting distance Watch those fishos who use this type of rig Th retrieve is different from using a normal lure Goodluck Thanks mate So would you have a slower retrieve than a regular metal lure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest no one Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks mate So would you have a slower retrieve than a regular metal lure? mix it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 mix it up! Thanks mate I'm gonna go buy a couple of these skirts and floats tomorrow and hopefully have a crack within the next couple days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefisherman6784 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hey mate As Seamus mentioned I have quite a lot of success off these rocks Everyone might think I'm crazy for using this gear for rock spinning but I use my 1-3kg loomis with a 1000 Stradic c14+ with 8lb leader I mainly use metals ranging 10-20grams off the rocks for spinning and when I really put power in the cast can get around 70m (I have colour change braid) But, I remember u saying that u get more distance than others and that doesn't matter All the fish at the haven chase the yakkas, gars etc etc right in close and I've hooked up right on the edge of that weed bed that comes up I've got Bonnies and frigates there on lures near the bottom, mid water and surface Always vary retrieve and where the lure might be in the water The school is quite easy to see as they come through and smash the bait... CAST!!! And don't stop, when they are in the area, you will get them Or there might be a school of 3 or 4 that stay deep When u see one person hook up, just cast cause they will do a loop through the area and most often hook up There are 3 spots to fish the haven: 1st pocket 2nd pocket And point Everyone will think closer to the point is the best but last time I went there, everyone cleaned up in the first pocket right near the beach so change spots, walk up and down etc etc Hope this helped Good luck Cheers Gianni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00ROTA Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I personally use a 6'10" Lox Yoshi with soft plastics.3/8-5/8 jig heads. jerk shads seem to be the go. Cast, let sink, erratic retrieve = fish. Bonito are an awesome easy feed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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