Lure setup
IntermediateAlso called Jig head, Soft-plastic rig, Spinner trace
A lure on a braid line, a fluoro leader, and a retrieve. No lead on the sand unless the jig head is the lead.
Hunt bass, pollock and mackerel in clear water.
No bait clips, but you must match head weight, retrieve and leader to the water. Leaving a lure on the sand like a flapper is the usual first mistake. A different rod and a different habit.
Diagram
When to use
Clear to slightly coloured water, a moving tide, bass, pollock or mackerel you can hunt. Dawn, dusk, baitfish showing.
Dawn, dusk, a moving tide, visible baitfish.
Ground and marks
Beach, Rock mark, Estuary, Harbour, River mouth. Ground: sand, mixed, kelp, rough.
Clear to slightly coloured water, a moving tide, bass, pollock or mackerel you can hunt. Dawn, dusk, baitfish showing.
A chocolate sea, a 5 oz beachcaster with a 10 g paddle-tail, or leaving the lure on the bottom like a ledger. Toothy fish need a leader.
Moving water. First of the flood over a bar or along a wall is a favourite. Dead slack in the middle of the day is often a walk.
Marks: Beach, Rock mark, Estuary, Harbour, River mouth. Ground: sand, mixed, kelp, rough.
Cast along the feature, retrieve so you feel the tail beat. Pause. Change speed. Cover water — you are hunting, not waiting.
Hooks As the lure. Lead: Jig head 5–30 g, or none on a surface lure.
20–30 lb braid, 3–6 ft of 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, lure or jig head 5–30 g (or none on a surface lure). No 60 lb shock leader unless you are throwing a heavy metal.
How to tie it
- 0120–30 lb braid, a 20–30 lb fluoro leader, a paddle-tail on a jig head.
- 02Cast along the feature, retrieve so you feel the tail beat.