need help on fishing SP with current and wind.

[wingcluts]

Hi Raiders,

I've just recently found a hobby in fishing soft plastics mainly at port hacking, botany bay for flatties, bream, trevallys, bonitos etc and have researched to the best of my ability and have tried to take it out to the water but so far not much luck but it still has been fun.

My main questions are where to cast when either anchored or drifting.

Do I when anchored cast as far upcurrent so that the SP will sink to the bottom and passes the boat and then flip the bale to let out line and then work the SP back against the current or do I just throw it out far and work it against the current? If i work against the current I don't always feel the bottom or the line doesn't go slack, it just sends out alot of line. Do I need to go a heavier jig head if I'm working against the current and there is a bit of wind.

thanks guys

[FishGuy]

Hi Wingcluts,

Try using a slightly heavier jighead to reach the bottom. Going light as possible is the way to go... but the key in that phrase for you seems to be the 'as possible' bit. Current, water depth, the type and size of your SP tail and wind will all play a factor and I'm constantly changing up the tail to jig head combinations to suit the conditions on any given day.

I range between 1/8 oz (rarely, but sometimes a little heavier) and 1/20 oz for flathead. 1/8 oz for when there is quite a lot of wind, a strong current, a bigger SP tail on the jig and/or I need casting distance. Will always prefer the lighter jig heads so long as I can get to the bottom and the tail works in the water properly (eg you can't tie on a gulp 4" grup and expect the tail to work with a 1/40oz jig head). While you're figuring it out, drop your rigged SP beside you in the water and make sure it's fluttering before you start casting. If not, you've either not rigged it right or, more likely, it's not got a heavy enough jig head on it.

Most people cast into the direction of the current flow so that the movement of your SP back to your rod follows the direction of the current. This is more similar to the energy efficient activities of fish. Also, species like flathead and flounder tend to face into the current when waiting in ambush (water flows over their gills better and also the way their prey tends to move) so, if your lure is coming toward them rather than from behind, there's more time that they get to see it and decide to bite.

Also, you shouldn't be casting against the wind. Position your boat well (or choose your landbased positions based on tide and wind before you head out) so that you can cast to the target structure with the benefit of the wind behind you. Bonus - then you can go lighter with your jig heads.

Good luck.

[rickmarlin62]

sometimes  I go heavier than 1/8oz..especially in deeper water..in lake mac I use 125/150mm plastics on 1/4oz or heavier dependent on wind and drift speed..quite often I work 3.5/5.0mtrs deep and light jig heads wont stay near bottom...rick