Soft Plastics vs Metal Blades

[fortula999]

Hi all,

Just wondering whether you have a preference between these two lures, and which one works better?

Cheers

[masterfisho7]

I have used both and have had success there has been kingfish in the harbour and I have used them  as which one works best I would say both .

[finbar12]

Blades can be better for working an area quickly and keeping contact with the bottom in deeper water/ rougher conditions. They are a really fun way to fish but are easily snagged up in structure and can be pricey.

Plastics are more diverse and you can fish them in a lot more ways. Lightly weighted plastics allow you to impart quite a natural action with the lures, which tends to get better results. Plastics can also be slightly cheaper. 

It really depends on what you're chasing and the conditions, both have their place in the tackle box. 

[kingie chaser]

47 minutes ago, masterfisho7 said:

I have used both and have had success there has been kingfish in the harbour and I have used them  as which one works best I would say both .

So kingfish taken on vibes??

[Green Hornet]

8 hours ago, finbar12 said:

Blades can be better for working an area quickly and keeping contact with the bottom in deeper water/ rougher conditions. They are a really fun way to fish but are easily snagged up in structure and can be pricey.

Plastics are more diverse and you can fish them in a lot more ways. Lightly weighted plastics allow you to impart quite a natural action with the lures, which tends to get better results. Plastics can also be slightly cheaper. 

It really depends on what you're chasing and the conditions, both have their place in the tackle box. 

I agree with this. Both plastics and blades have their place, but blades really shine when the wind is up and its difficult to maintain contact with a lightly weighted plastic in deeper water

A lot of guys have trouble with blades and most try to fish them the same as plastics, which often doesn't work. I find blades fish better with short (30cm), aggressive twitches with longer pauses. 

[anthman]

1 hour ago, Green Hornet said:

I agree with this. Both plastics and blades have their place, but blades really shine when the wind is up and its difficult to maintain contact with a lightly weighted plastic in deeper water

A lot of guys have trouble with blades and most try to fish them the same as plastics, which often doesn't work. I find blades fish better with short (30cm), aggressive twitches with longer pauses. 

That describes me! What's a usual retrieve? E.g. like a japanese-style egi retrieve (whip whip whip) then rod down, wait 20sec then repeat?

Edited November 26, 2018 by anthman

[Green Hornet]

1 hour ago, anthman said:

That describes me! What's a usual retrieve? E.g. like a japanese-style egi retrieve (whip whip whip) then rod down, wait 20sec then repeat?

My most successful retrieve is 1 short, fast lift, let it settle back on the bottom and leave it for 5-10 seconds before repeating. Note: I am fishing them along ribbon weed drop offs in around 2.5-4 metres.

A lot of fish are hooked on the outside of the mouth and I'm convinced the fish comes in and checks the lure out during the pause and the short lift jags it in the face. So many bream and whiting are hooked under the chin. That's why your hooks must be kept razor sharp.

[nutsaboutfishing]

3 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

I agree with this. Both plastics and blades have their place, but blades really shine when the wind is up and its difficult to maintain contact with a lightly weighted plastic in deeper water

A lot of guys have trouble with blades and most try to fish them the same as plastics, which often doesn't work. I find blades fish better with short (30cm), aggressive twitches with longer pauses. 

Thanks GH,

                     I'm one of those guys who has trouble with blades. I shall try your advice. Would I be correct in saying I'd be better off using a 7 foot 2-4kg rather than an 8 foot 1-3kg, reason being the heavier rod will give more action/vibration?

cheers

Richard

PS just read Anthman's post, it's good to know i'm not the only one.

Edited November 26, 2018 by nutsaboutfishing

[masterfisho7]

11 hours ago, kingie chaser said:

So kingfish taken on vibes??

Yes mate on Vibes 

[fortula999]

2 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

My most successful retrieve is 1 short, fast lift, let it settle back on the bottom and leave it for 5-10 seconds before repeating. Note: I am fishing them along ribbon weed drop offs in around 2.5-4 metres.

A lot of fish are hooked on the outside of the mouth and I'm convinced the fish comes in and checks the lure out during the pause and the short lift jags it in the face. So many bream and whiting are hooked under the chin. That's why your hooks must be kept razor sharp.

Would a few quick winds on the reel do the same thing?

[Green Hornet]

1 hour ago, nutsaboutfishing said:

Thanks GH,

                     I'm one of those guys who has trouble with blades. I shall try your advice. Would I be correct in saying I'd be better off using a 7 foot 2-4kg rather than an 8 foot 1-3kg, reason being the heavier rod will give more action/vibration?

cheers

Richard

PS just read Anthman's post, it's good to know i'm not the only one.

Yeah, definitely use your 2-4kg. The heavier rod helps get that quick rise of the bottom that the fish like.

My rod of choice is a Duff X-860dsi. Its rated 1-5kg but fishing 1kg would be pushing your luck on this rod.

[Green Hornet]

5 minutes ago, fortula999 said:

Would a few quick winds on the reel do the same thing?

It does the job but its hard to get that quick lift that jags the fish, plus it puts a fair bit more pressure on your reels gear train.

[seasponge]

1 hour ago, Green Hornet said:

Yeah, definitely use your 2-4kg. The heavier rod helps get that quick rise of the bottom that the fish like. 

wouldn't it depends on the action of the rod? A fast tip 1-3kg vs a slow tip 2-4kg?

[savit]

I  would say fast action of 1-3 rods - designed for rather light lures. Blades will give a bit of resistance in the water due to their shape and weight despite their small size.

I use 2-4kg for SP, however prefer 3-5kg for most blades (the rods are high graphite so the action is fast)

[fortula999]

8 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

It does the job but its hard to get that quick lift that jags the fish, plus it puts a fair bit more pressure on your reels gear train.

Oh ok I see. How high would you lift your rod?

[Green Hornet]

10 hours ago, fortula999 said:

Oh ok I see. How high would you lift your rod?

Only from about 9 to 11 o`clock, if that makes sense. You only want to move the lure 30 - 45cm per lift.

[fortula999]

1 hour ago, Green Hornet said:

Only from about 9 to 11 o`clock, if that makes sense. You only want to move the lure 30 - 45cm per lift.

Yes that makes sense. Thanks!