When it's like this I don't usually consider (to start with) that the fish are really feeding, and mostly you're just fishing for crusing fish - trying to put a good looking lure in front of a passing fish. Covering a load of ground to find them is one way, but I think there's a little bit to be said occasionally (if you have knowledge of an area) to plonk yourself in one spot and wait for that group of fish to pass. If you miss your chance, then I think it can kill it totally as they won't look twice sometimes if you cock it up.
Ben, there was a group of fish holding behind a rock yesterday (same on as last week btw!) and I pulled them out to follow a variety of lures cast after cast yesterday but only hooked one. Being on a rock well above the crystal clear water I could see everything. Very frustrating as there were some good fish - typically I caught one of the smallest! My point is this: one group of three good fish continued past my ambush point after I had drawn them out, so I cast ahead of them and for three conscutive casts I managed to turn the fish onto the lure but was unable to provoke a proper take. This suggests to me that you may get more than one chance at cruising fish. George had something similar also yesterday with a group of schoolies, getting a fish on his 3rd cast past them - sight casting in effect.
Not sure how relevant any of this is, but it was bloomin' interesting to see so much for a change.
Go down deep when its like this in the day time and go for something natural.What do you do when the sun is out, the sea is flat and super clear? Fish for a reaction strike or go smaller, finer and natural?
Go LRF/HRF for mixed species should be the answer, but if you're a bass nut, what do you do?
Based upon the amount of Bass we've knocked together already this year using LRF/HRF techniques I'd suggest you try it Bass nut or not.Go LRF/HRF for mixed species should be the answer, but if you're a bass nut, what do you do?
Keith I'm not trying to be a smart arse but just looking for an honest answer and I know you'll provide me with that.Based upon the amount of Bass we've knocked together already this year using LRF/HRF techniques I'd suggest you try it Bass nut or not.
We are somewhere over 70 - 80 Bass so far this season and about 6 of those on hard baits. Question sort of doesn't need asking as to how effective it is.
And, we haven't fished purposely for Bass more than 7 or 8 times..
Keith I'm not trying to be a smart arse but just looking for an honest answer and I know you'll provide me with that.
But do you think if 3 or 4 of you were going out as often as you are doing and only using hard plastics (not talking toppers) that the number of bass caught on HPs would be much greater?
The results are AMAZING and stuff I can only dream of but I keep getting this feeling that your saying hard lures aren't very good? (Please don't take this the wrong way)!
All I'm trying to say is how can you say somethings not that productive if your all JUST using softies?
Yes you are but here is an honest answer.Keith I'm not trying to be a smart arse but just looking for an honest answer and I know you'll provide me with that.
No. Do you really think we haven't got years of data to support this. We don't just fish soft lures and to be honest, you haven't seen our better Bass marks some of which can fire big time on hard lures should the conditions be right. They are not right so they whilst they are producing odd fish and follows, fish will not commit. Even in the night.But do you think if 3 or 4 of you were going out as often as you are doing and only using hard plastics (not talking toppers) that the number of bass caught on HPs would be much greater?
Who says we aren't fishing hard lures ? Just because you don't see it doesn't mean we aren't out there trying. I've been product testing a load of new hard lures you and loads of others haven't seen yet that late season hammered fish. They aren't working now but soft lures (small and falling) are. In fact, it was small falling hard lures that scored 4 out of the 6 or so hard bait caught fish.The results are AMAZING and stuff I can only dream of but I keep getting this feeling that your saying hard lures aren't very good? (Please don't take this the wrong way)!
Just your perception Ritchie, not reality. Don't base results on what we let you see. There is much more going on. I'll often fish it 'wrong' just to see if methods are working exclusively. Not just on the Bass too.All I'm trying to say is how can you say somethings not that productive if your all JUST using softies?