mark_s Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 (edited) Been trying soft plastics in the hacking for no success at all so last two trips have tried nippers. Plenty of little ones on the rising tide on the flats but nothing of size. Although it does seem like the bigger ones spit the hook when they see the kayak. Any suggestions as to how to get next size up if fish? Edited March 10, 2018 by mark_s Typos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 In my experience live baits will always outfish a lure of any type. Your kayak shouldnt be spooking the fish if your after some bigger models you might want to try some deeper water with some drop offs that being said ive seen enormous whiting and flathead in less than two feet of water so you might be best of to keep trying ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 You're getting the right species you just gotta keep trying for a better size, keep at it and I'm sure you will come across some better size specimens . Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Just a matter of keep on trying. Some days the little ones grab the bait before the larger models have a chance. The larger ones will be in shallow water during low light - early morning, late afternoon or cloudy days - then maybe in slightly deeper water outside those times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TunaSickle Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Keep trying! Could try one size up on the hook and slightly bigger bait, sometimes works. Even try move out slightly deeper. You're doing it right to catch fish. Just have to luck the spot. I generally move a bit if I catch a heap of little ones as they seem to hang together. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Might be a silly question but are you striking to set the hook? It seems to me if the fish is properly hooked I don't see how it can regularly spit the hook. Just my thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Yep I am striking, I then get them to under the kayak before they spit the hook. I am fishing middle of the day so maybe I should try earlier or later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Have you tried circle hooks, I find they tend to get solid hook ups in the corner of the mouth. Also better if your releasing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefin Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I only use Black Magic kl circle hooks when bait fishing, beach and river. Howard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickmarlin62 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 hard to put nippers on circle hooks...keep tryin mate..early n late..or deep durin day..rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toilor Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Could be worth trying hooking the nipper / yabby through the last segment of the tail only with a no.8 long shank chemically sharpened 8lb fluro trace gentle cast 1mtr of slack dont strike just tighten up if u suspect an inquiry. It does look a bit unlikely but give it a go definitely tricks the bigger fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 Interesting idea once through the tail, I’ll give it a go. The nippers will have plenty of go in them. Not much fishing this weekend. With the great weather most of the weekend was on the boat with the family, I did sneak a quick fish in early this Morning in SWA. A 20cm snapper was the best. Hordes of small jackets around. Would come up to the surface following my bait and I could hear them snapping their teeth. I gave up at the top of high tide, boat traffic was already heavy (someone decided to go between me and the shore, even though I was only about 10m of the bank?) and the family wee calling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volitan Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 For the nippers, try using bait elastic to tie them on rather then damaging them by hooking through them. Just hook once thru tail to stabilise things, then align body along the hook and wind away with the bait elastic. Generally, I have the same problem here with too many small fish and big fish are too wary. A problem anywhere fishing pressure is too high. I keep going lighter and lighter with some success but generally I find fishing at night is better - the small fish go away because they know they are on the menu, while the big fish go hunting. rickmarlins comment of ‘deep during the day’ is true. Unfortunately no deep water around here I can access, so have to fish at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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