nutsaboutfishing Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 I'm wanting to practice fishing with lighter leader (4-6lb) and was wondering could I get a few tips on how not to get busted off being things such as flathead when they've inhaled the jighead cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pafisho08 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Hi Use a 30 cm length of 12 - 15 lb tipit after main leader and tie on with a triple over hand knot . Regds Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekD Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Hi Richard, Are you actually and frequently getting busted off or are you worried about being busted off. I've rarely found it to be an issue. Yes at times the leader comes back scuffed and I cut off and re-tie the damaged section but it is not often I lose a fish. Most of my flathead come in lip hooked as I only do short stays on the bottom before flicking it along again. The danger would be if you either over muscle (rather than play) a fish or if you try to use the line to lift it out of the water when the leader has been chaffed. Regards, Derek 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZ Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, nutsaboutfishing said: I'm wanting to practice fishing with lighter leader (4-6lb) and was wondering could I get a few tips on how not to get busted off being things such as flathead when they've inhaled the jighead cheers Richard 4lb leader? A big lizard has some serious fangs. I'd never contemplate going that light on the leader. Ive had 10lb look like it just made it on ones that had swallowed the lot and changed it just after the 1 fish. I think I'd probably have lost half my good ones that woofed it all down with something that light. Only way I could see surviving that would be fishing with ultra light drag, even then id be hoping it didn't shake it's head! Small flatties ok, but the big lizards you'll loose more than you land for sure. Me I wouldnt go below 8. Edited July 29, 2019 by TAZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 (edited) Keep the head of the flathead down during the fight. Keep him/her under the water when netting it and bring the net up under it. If its head gets up above the water, it has more chance of sawing through the leader, which is generally how they do it... by sawing through rather than biting through. Edited July 29, 2019 by Berleyguts 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wcurrall Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 2 hours ago, nutsaboutfishing said: I'm wanting to practice fishing with lighter leader (4-6lb) and was wondering could I get a few tips on how not to get busted off being things such as flathead when they've inhaled the jighead cheers Richard You'll find the lighter the leader, or the main line, the more hook ups you will get so the occasional bust off won't bother you, especially if you are using ultra light mono as the stretch is very forgiving If you want to try ultra light fishing I'd suggest spooling an entire reel with 3 or 4lb good quality mono, and not worry about the leader. Ive caught flathead up to 60cm on 3lb, even caught a mack tuna on the same set up not long ago that i took to catch garfish (see photo) 😂 to prove the same point to a mate As Derek said you'll find by using lighter lures/baits with the lighter line a lot mire fish will be lip hooked 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campr Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 I've caught many large flathead on 1kg pretest line includin two over 5.6kg but I use a heavy leader. Other than being bitten off, the trick is to play them very smoothly to prevent them panicking. Use a light drag, keep their head under the water and swim them into the net. If using light leader make sure its one with a tough outer coating but using a flurocarbon leader is best. You can also consider using a light leader with a short 50cm heavyer bit on end. All nylon to nylon or flurocarbon joins should preferably be a double uni knot. Ron 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirvin21 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Don't go hard on them, back the drag off and work them slowly, keep they're head in the water boatside as much as possible to stop them shaking they're head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 3 hours ago, DerekD said: Hi Richard, Are you actually and frequently getting busted off or are you worried about being busted off. I've rarely found it to be an issue. Yes at times the leader comes back scuffed and I cut off and re-tie the damaged section but it is not often I lose a fish. Most of my flathead come in lip hooked as I only do short stays on the bottom before flicking it along again. The danger would be if you either over muscle (rather than play) a fish or if you try to use the line to lift it out of the water when the leader has been chaffed. Regards, Derek Hey Derek, i've been using 10lb but have been changing to 6lb to target bream. But then I get a big flathead bycatch, the leader breaks and i retreat back to my 10lb. I think i need to learn to play the fish as you say and not muscle it. thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrone07 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Having caught multiple Flathead over 80cms with a pb of 86 I wouldn’t fish anything less then 10lb fluoro leader. Flattys are not leader shy as long as you are fishing the right areas they will not shy away from a well presented plastic/ soft vibe. I am a firm believer of scent, increases your hook up rates dramatically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 2 hours ago, TAZ said: 4lb leader? A big lizard has some serious fangs. I'd never contemplate going that light on the leader. Ive had 10lb look like it just made it on ones that had swallowed the lot and changed it just after the 1 fish. I think I'd probably have lost half my good ones that woofed it all down with something that light. Only way I could see surviving that would be fishing with ultra light drag, even then id be hoping it didn't shake it's head! Small flatties ok, but the big lizards you'll loose more than you land for sure. Me I wouldnt go below 8. Hi Taz thanks for the reply, afraid my post may have been a bit misleading, I'm actually targeting bream but am getting flathead bycatch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 1 hour ago, campr said: I've caught many large flathead on 1kg pretest line includin two over 5.6kg but I use a heavy leader. Other than being bitten off, the trick is to play them very smoothly to prevent them panicking. Use a light drag, keep their head under the water and swim them into the net. If using light leader make sure its one with a tough outer coating but using a flurocarbon leader is best. You can also consider using a light leader with a short 50cm heavyer bit on end. All nylon to nylon or flurocarbon joins should preferably be a double uni knot. Ron Hi Campr, I'm targeting bream and getting flathead bycatch. I think the key is has you say back off the drag and play the fish smoothly. thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, dirvin21 said: Don't go hard on them, back the drag off and work them slowly, keep they're head in the water boatside as much as possible to stop them shaking they're head Hey dirvin, Thanks for the reply. You're the third person to say back off the drag and play the fish rather than muscle it in. Methinks this is what I will try!!. ta Richard Edited July 29, 2019 by nutsaboutfishing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Hornet Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Aside from all that has been said above, learn how to tie a good FG knot. Of course not for the thin diameter but for the 100% strength that other knots can't offer. Its not easy to tie in 4 and 6lb leaders but worth the trouble, as every little bit helps. If you can't get your hands or head around tying one, consider buying a Knot Assist 2.0. Google it and see. I use one and have no trouble with knots slipping down to leaders as low as 3lb FC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 11 hours ago, nutsaboutfishing said: Hey Derek, i've been using 10lb but have been changing to 6lb to target bream. But then I get a big flathead bycatch, the leader breaks and i retreat back to my 10lb. I think i need to learn to play the fish as you say and not muscle it. thanks for the advice Can you try this? Before tying on the jighead, double the 6lbs line. Then tie a uni knot. You’ve now changed the breaking strain at the terminal connection to 12lbs. I’ll bet you a beer you can fish exactly as you are now and 1 in 10 flatties will bust you off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekD Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) Hi Richard, @flatheadlukeraises a good point. Is the line breaking at the joiner knot or somewhere in the line above the jighead. As @Berleyguts stated it is the sawing rather than biting through which is the concern. Regards, Derek PS If it is (k)not currently breaking at the joiner then offer to take @flatheadluke up on his bet. If he is right you win (at the small cost of a beer). If he is wrong then you've won a beer which with a bit of planning you could claim after a fishing session with him. A winning bet either way. 😊 Edited July 30, 2019 by DerekD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 5 hours ago, DerekD said: Hi Richard, @flatheadlukeraises a good point. Is the line breaking at the joiner knot or somewhere in the line above the jighead. As @Berleyguts stated it is the sawing rather than biting through which is the concern. Regards, Derek PS If it is (k)not currently breaking at the joiner then offer to take @flatheadluke up on his bet. If he is right you win (at the small cost of a beer). If he is wrong then you've won a beer which with a bit of planning you could claim after a fishing session with him. A winning bet either way. 😊 I’d buy you a beer Derek to go fishing in the harbour for kings. Some of those twitchy soft plastics moves i’d love to learn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekD Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 3 hours ago, flatheadluke said: I’d buy you a beer Derek to go fishing in the harbour for kings. Some of those twitchy soft plastics moves i’d love to learn! Hi Mate, while I don't drink I'd be happy to show you some of the things I've worked out/learned over the years. Next two weekends are likely out but if you are available to join me on the lower North Shore then we just have to find a time that suits. We'd be using both the bream rods (2-4kg) and the snapper (5-8kg) rods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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