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Hacking sand flats


mark_s

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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?

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Edited by mark_s
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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 !

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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.

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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!

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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

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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

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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. 

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