[Dave Irving]

Well I have a mark that basically as the thread surgests is very shallow 2-4' very rough kelpy reef. It holds bass (and wrasse) and normally fishes well on a falling tide and it has a couple of ledges that the bass tuck in behind and wait for the buffet of food to drift over their heads.
Now last year I fished it mainly with surface lures, and did well. Obivously feed shallows and over very shallow running lures will work, but I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas???
Bass there tend to be caught at distance, if that has any bearing.

 

[Tim Griffin]

Dave, if it wasn't a distance thing then I would have suggested a soft lure like a Picol'Eau or Hart Worm as these perfomed well in similar conditions for us. Rigged weedless they fish in the surface film or just sub-surface and they were very effective. Not sure you would get them out there though. the other solution is simple: Z-claw!

 

[Keith White]

Bombarda.

Great in shallow water with light lures and where distance is needed.

 

[Mike Hayes]

Dave, i was going to suggest some weedless softies, maybe a belly weighted hook setup?

Although i imagine the distance requirement could be issue, perhaps

 

[Retired]

Hazedong Magnum, weighted texan hook (skinned). Can be walked on the surface or fished sub surface.

 

[Dave Irving]

Thanks Tim,
Z Claw works perfectly, as does a Patchinko-the newer smaller one should be awesome.
Keith,
I hadn't thought of that, a floating Bombarda and a small softie would be spot on. Thanks for the idea.

Any more ideas??

 

[Dave Irving]

Thanks Mike and Paul,
Will give it a try, It I can get the softie out far enough then I am sure it will score.

 

[Retired]

The Hazedong Magnum casts really well. It also has a consistency that the fish seem to love. Half way between a Motherworm and an Xlayer, bit like a Spindleworm.

 

[Mike Hayes]

Dave, the Hazedongs are pretty impressive, i believe Paul used one on the surface when I joined him out while over last trip.

 

[Dave Irving]

Thanks Paul,
Not being very "with it" soft plastic wise, it is great to get the heads up from those members that really know the lures/techniques which I don't.
Many thanks

 

[Keith White]

The Hazedong Magnum does go a way's when cast on light, thin braid.

It's a great goby pattern but a bit high price wise unless you are targeting Bass only who don't seem to destroy lures so fast as the Ballans.