Tag Archives: Fishing

The Kayak Fishing Phenomenon

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In this article you will learn heaps of tips for getting started with kayak fishing as well as some handy advice on accessories such as kayak electric motors.

Kayak Fishing

It is easily the biggest thing to hit the recreational and tournament fishing scene since the introduction and proliferation of soft plastics. The uptake of kayak fishing is nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s global. This incredible growth has seen the manufactures respond in kind to the point where the shelves are bursting with fantastic product designed specifically for the kayak angler. Let’s have a look at why kayak fishing has become so popular, some tips for getting the most out of your kayak, safety, comfort and the range of kayaks and awesome accessories like kayak electric motors and kayak fishing gear available to pimp your ride.

On reflection, fishing from such a vessel is hardly new. In fact it’s downright ancient. Many a tribal culture fished from small canoes. Ok, not a kayak but very similar. So why the hiatus? Why the delay in going main stream? It’s not as though kayaks have just recently appeared. Something has sparked the modern rush, yet is not entirely apparent as to why.

There have always been a small band of thrill seekers that have fished all sorts of locations from surf skies or outriggers and canoes, but it was pretty niche and not supported by the market. A fair explanation for the kayak explosion would be that the costs of getting on the water in modern times, i.e. a boat, is out of reach and impractical for many and, the introduction of new materials sparked tremendous innovation in kayak design.

Whatever the case, anglers are flocking to the kayak fishing phenomenon if for no other reason that it is amazingly fun. Regardless of financial access, transport and storage options, anglers are choosing kayak fishing, not as a compromise to a boat but because it’s sensational. The thrill, sheer joy, and boundless options are clearly the reason kayak fishing has become so popular, and is growing exponentially.

There’s no down side to a kayak. Fishing can now become a genuine part of a fitness routine. A kayak can give you access to fishing grounds you simply can’t reach in a boat, you have access to narrowest fresh water creek and the shallowest mangrove lined inlet. A kayak can be a perfect, awe inspiring vessel for fishing the open ocean. As a hunting tool they epitomise stealth, and they are super kind to the environment. There are no emissions and no noise pollution. They’re the biggest thing in modern angling and, if you haven’t got one yet, it’s time to start your research.

Choosing a Fishing Kayak

If you haven’t checked them out before, be prepared to be blown away by the range of styles and options. Take the time to be the excited kid in a toy shop, then get down to some practicalities. Getting the right kayak for you is similar, in many ways, to choosing a boat.

  • Where will you use it, open or closed waters, fresh, salt or both?
  • Are you prepared to simply paddle, or would you like an electric motor?
  • What sort of fish will you be targeting, Bass, Trout, Barra or Yellowtail Kingfish and Sailfish?
  • How will you store and transport your Kayak?
  • What are your on board storage requirements?
  • Will you be using a sounder?
  • How many rods will you carry?
  • What is your budget? Can you go bespoke straight up or can you go basic, with options for accessorising later?

Key Features to Look For in a Fishing Kayak

There is quite a list features a discerning angler will look for in a kayak. Many are purpose specific, many are subjective. There are however a few critical aspects that should be sought regardless of where your kayak will be deployed. Your weight, combined with your intended load will often be the determining factor in choosing the kayak size. Comfort and stability are by far the most important features of a kayak. You can double that if you intend to fish the blue water. Out in the open waters, comfort and stability are vital, you can’t easily pull over to the bank for a rest, and swell action, as well as battles with large fish, put serious demands on stability. Use this as a starting point then add your desired features relative to purpose.

Speed and manoeuvrability can often be a trade off with stability, particularly in cheaper models. The top shelf, ocean class kayaks are often without compromise and have it all. Speed, manoeuvrability, comfort and huge amounts of ergonomically brilliant storage. You will, of course, pay for this, and such models may well be overkill in closed waters, rivers, creeks, and fresh applications.

Storage is probably the next big thing. Well considered access, storage volume and protection from the elements should be considered. How much kit do you really need to hunt the brackish and fresh for Bass, as compared to jigging the blue for Kingfish?

Whether you are going big, to hit the open ocean, or smaller and more manoeuvrable for hitting the closed waters, there a many kayak fishing anglers who insist on being able to stand in their kayak. Standing has a few benefits. The first, is the ability to fish by sight. Standing allows a far better viewing angle for seeing beneath the surface. The second, is being able to stand and fish. The third benefit is simply being able to stand and stretch your back after long periods of being seated. Again, this is all about stability. Take advice from your local dealer or the manufacturer about the ability to stand in the kayak you are considering.

From this point it is up to accessorising. Here’s some things you might like to consider.

  • Does it have provision for vertical rod storage? This is very handy for saving space, particularly if you intend to take a number of fishing rods.
  • What is the provision for mounting after-market accessories? How many mounting plates does it have?
  • Will you be using a kayak fish finder? If so, there a scuppers hole (drainage hole) dedicated to a transducer? Is a protective battery bag provided?
  • Do you require a live bait well?
  • Does it have provision for ice box storage? Is it something you need?
  • Do you prefer to have a rudder system or are you happy to steer with the paddle?
    How many built in rod holders does it have?
  • Will you be mounting a kayak electric motor?

These are just a few options you will need to consider if you are buying a fishing kayak for the first time, or upgrading. It’s worth stating, that relative to a boat, a top of the range kayak is very affordable. A decent tinny, fully equipped to go, will cost in excess of 10 thousand dollars. For that sort of money, in fact less, you can get a flotilla kayaks, one for the bays, one for the rivers and creeks and one for open waters, all set up and honed perfectly for the target location and fishing style. All of your accessories can be interchangeable, so there is no need to double up on kit. Why not deck out the family? Brilliant!!!

Fishing Kayak Brands:

Whilst we don’t always sell fishing kayaks online due to the cost and inability to transport we are familiar with brands In the market place and some of the best fishing kayak brands include: Wilderness Systems and Perception Kayaks which we deal with in our physical store as well as other major brands such as Hobie Fishing Kayaks which we are not agents for but certainly recommend as one of the best top 3 brands.

Kayak Accessories For Sale

Kayak Accessories

Fishingtackleshop.com.au has a fantastic range of affordable kayak accessories. Follow the links below and check out the specs and prices, and load up your kayak with the latest Kayak accessories.

Kayak Electric motors: A long day on the water can be exhausting if you have to paddle all day, particularly against the current. A transom mount electric motor hooks up very easily to a twelve volt battery, for hours of power time. They pack plenty of thrust and they run very quietly, so you won’t lose any of your stealth capability. – See our Kayak Electric motors for sale here

Dry bags: Dry bags are nigh on essential. There’s no doubt you will have electronic equipment with you such as phone, cameras, car keys and the like that don’t go well with water. Dry bags are the perfect solution keeping your expensive electronics safe from water damage. See our dry bags for sale here

Rod holders: Your kayak may come with several rod holders but you will need more for flexibility and custom positioning. Check out our range of rod holders that will mount easily to your kayak. Mounting these rod holders is even easier on kayaks with dedicated mounting plates. See our Rod Holders for sale here

Head lamps: LED headlamps give brilliant light for hours on end. Being hands free makes them perfect for the kayak. See our head lamps for sale here

Folding buckets: A normal fishing bucket will take up far too much space in the confines of a kayak. Check out our folding buckets and grab a couple for your storage wells. They’re brilliant for holding baits. See our folding buckets here

Transducer mounts: Most kayaks will have a scuppers hole designed to take a transducer for your sounder. Check out our transducer mounts and put a fish finder on your kayak. See our Lowrance kayak transducer mount for sale here

Fish finders: Fish finders are more or less essential kit these days. Your kayak will feel naked without one, and so will your keeper bag. Have a look at our range of fish finders, there’s great models for the kayak. See our Kayak Fish Finders for sale here

Polarised Sunglasses: Our range of Polarised Sunglasses is fantastic. Without a set of these sunnies, the glare will ruin a day on the open water. They are essential kit for kayak fishing. See our Polarised Sunglasses for sale here

Tie Downs: Don’t lose your expensive kit in the drink. Tie downs really come into their own on a kayak. Space is limited, you’re close to the water and dropping something usually means dropping it in the water. Save yourself a packet and lash down all you can using secure ties.

Life vests: Safety is absolutely paramount on a kayak. A life vest is essential. While the primary function is definitely saving your life, comfort becomes a critical feature when fishing form your kayak. Check our range and look closely at the added features of convenient pockets and comfort. See our PFD’s For Sale Here

Sun protection:  Solar tubes keep the sun and wind from your face protecting you from harmful UV rays. Fingerless gloves will also protect the backs of your hands from sun and mitigate against callouses that develop from paddling. See our Sun Protection gear for sale here

The above list really is barely scratching the surface. Kayak fishing is made for the angler that loves to customise and accessorise. The money you save NOT buying a boat will allow you to set up the perfect kayak for whatever style of fishing you do.

Wherever you go, be safe. Always consider the weather, tides and current. It’s important to remember paddling a kayak is great fun but will make demands on your fitness. Choose your location wisely, a lazy creek requires very little effort but a trip out on the open water will require significant effort, particularly if there is a swell about, some breeze and a decent current.

An important note on colour: Kayaks come in a vast range of colours from bright orange to stealthy camo. Consider you location before you choose a colour. If you are fishing the rivers and creeks amidst the trees and steep banks, a camo colour would add some stealth to your attack. For those that are fishing the open waters and busy harbours, hi-vis colours are strongly recommended. Being seen is always the sage option in high traffic and in the vastness of the open waters.

Kayak fishing gives you access to an incredible array of species. On the smaller end, finesse anglers will tackle Trout, Bass, Whiting, Bream and Flathead. For the thrill seekers, you can jig up a storm, hooking the likes of Yellowtail Kingfish, Sailfish, Tuna and a host of monster sports fish you would never have dreamed of tackling from a kayak. Grab yourself a Kayak from a local dealer in your area then come back to us online and kit up through fishingtackleshop.com.au, and take your fishing to places where only a kayak can take you.

Winter Bream Fishing

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winter-breamBream fishing in the winter can be as rewarding and productive as during the warmer months. In fact your catch quality and quantity needn’t vary between seasons at all. Bream aren’t ‘seasonal’ per se, there is no specific Bream season. It is important to know however, that as water temps cool and winter sets in the habits of Bream change. Understanding these behavioral changes in Bream and, employing winter Bream tactics, allows anglers to enjoy fantastic Bream fishing as the water temps dip to a chilly 15 and below. Bream aren’t bears so they don’t hibernate. They need to eat as they do at any time in the year. This means you can still catch them in winter and all it requires is a little know how, good fishing sense, experimentation and some critical and creative thought.

This fishing article is about getting you on the path to making your winter Bream sessions as productive as they would be at any other time of the year. While the focus is primarily on the abundant Yellowfin Bream, many of the principals, estuary based in particular, apply to Black Bream and include Tarwhine. We’ll address Winter Bream baits, locations, lures, rigs and techniques as well as how to employ old school methods and, by contrast, point you in the direction of modern fishing products that have re-written the books on chasing this tenacious, hard fighting, ever so delicious Australian favourite.

The Summer Time Free-For-All

There is no doubt that summer and the warmer months of the year present Bream anglers with a much easier prospect of bagging out on our much beloved species. Your 6 year old can toss a half rancid prawn head from a wharf, connected to a handline rigged not unlike a vehicle winch, and catch Bream. You can cast top water lures of all shapes and sizes to the river bank for explosive, non-stop action and fun. You’re only slightly surprised when your pilchard rigged gang of 4/0’s placed speculatively in a surfside gutter pulls in a Bream of bragging rights size.

Bait up with lures of all types, use Mullet gut, live Yabbies and Prawns, fish light, fish heavy. If you have a wet bait somewhere in a Bream habitat, it’s odds on that you’ll be rewarded with summer time Bream – such is the Bream propensity for veracious feeding during the hot season. So why does the Bream bonanza go pear shaped come the winter?

Winter Bream Habits

It’s winter, it’s early morning and your cold. You’ve spent the better part of two hours collecting live nippers and you’ve tossed many from your favourite upstream location only to get tiny Bream and a lot of nothing. You’ve released the remaining saltwater nippers in frustration, grabbed your other rod and started on your favourite grub tail lure. Not so much as a sniff. So where did all the Bream go and why are they being so uncooperative?

As winter sets in Bream will generally head to the deeper water around the river mouths and estuary entrances. They congregate much deeper in the water column and, for some reason, get very selective about what they eat. If given a chance to see them, with clear winter waters this is often likely, they appear as if very sluggish. Without going into the science, it is likely that this behaviour relates to the soon to arrive spring spawn. Truth is it doesn’t matter why. This is where they are and how they’re behaving.

This is not to say that your usual locations and techniques will not work. They can and do. If however you’re looking for the percentage play and wish to increase your chances of size and quantity, adapt your tactics to suit. Get creative with your approach and employ a selection of techniques. We’ve no doubt, if you do this, you’ll be more than pleased with the outcome.

Two Old-School Options for Targeting Large Bream

  1. For those with access to deeper harbours loaded with plenty of man-made structure such as wharves with timber pylons, functional or otherwise, you might like to try a handline and pudding bait. Yes, that is very old-school. But if anglers could actually let go of their fancy rods for just a moment and try this, they would realise it is a huge amount of fun, it’s possible from your boat or simply land based and more often than not provides astonishing results in both Bream size and bag quantity.

Fish the evening and get in as far under the wharf or as deep into the structure as possible. You want heavy mono on your hand line. With modern line diameters 10kg is by no means too much. Your line is likely to take a beating and such a line class will take out none of the thrill and sport. Your cold and wet hands are also less likely to get cut trying to drag a 45cm specimen from around a pylon.

Connect a Luderick hook to your mono and fold on a small piece of pudding to cover your hook. A sinker is rarely required. If it is, use a tiny running ball down to the hook. (Pudding bait is more or less like a paste created by mixing cheese, flour and a frankfurt. Check out some of the internet search engines for a recipe.) Bream approach pudding differently to other baits. They will hold it in their mouths and suck it, letting it dissolve. You may feel a slight pressure, and you may feel nothing until they run off with it. The trick is learning when to strike. Try it and discover for yourself.

  1. For massive Winter Bream 40cm and well beyond, hit the ocean rocks with heavy kit using Cunje as bait. The rig is simple. Strap a 5000 size (minimum) spin reel or an Alvey to a rod 12 foot or longer. Spool with 8-10kg mono that has excellent abrasion resistance, you’ll need it. A short Shank 1/0 will hold plenty enough cunje and gives you the weight to cast the required distance. A sinker is rarely required and often ill advised.

The water you are fishing is often shallow, jam packed with rocks, snags and weed. This is why they fish live there. Your baits are carried over these snags via wave and wash into the strike zone. Vigilance is needed to ensure you don’t get caught up too often. You will get hung up and you may go through a few hooks. But with a half dozen Bream in your keeper bag in excess of 40cm, you won’t be complaining. You can also expect a visit from big Drummer and Big Groper. A critical requirement is that you must increase your drag. There is simply too much cover and the fish will run straight for it. Feel free to up your 10kg line class and be ready to hang on! A tip. If your fish does find cover and won’t budge, let your line go slack a give it a few minutes. He may well come out giving you a second bite of the cherry.

River Rigs for Winter Bream with Modern Fishing Techniques

Keep it simple and lighten up to bring on the winter Bream bite on the river. Complex rigs are annoying at the best of times but come the winter, your Bream hunt can be seriously hampered by fancy rigs, heavy lead and a hefty line class. The water is often clear so Bream will spot chunky lines. Bream become sluggish, so unlikely to go out of their way to attack a passing bait not quite in the zone, so you need to get right in their lounge room. They are timid on the bite and their appetite has become very selective, so your baits and lures need to be extra appealing.

If you don’t have a light outfit, on the lines of a finesse style set up, now would be a good time to invest. A sensitive, yet strong rod around 2 to 2.2 meters in a 3kg (max) class would be ideal. Strap on a 2500 size spin reel or smaller then spool it with mono or braid as light as you dare. Leaders should also be as light as your courage allows and as invisible as technology permits. Going super light is critical, particularly if you want to catch winter Bream on lures.

If you’re using flesh baits on mono it is a good idea to fish with no lead at all. We understand that this is often impossible, so where required, use the minimum you can get away with and run a small ball down to the hook or a couple of split shots. There is good evidence to suggest a drop in hook size mollifies the timid biter so if you struggle a little then give this technique a try. Go as small as practical to retain baits and ensure hook up. If you intend to catch and release, maintain a standard size hook or consider using circle hooks.

If you’re in a boat, drifting the banks and drop offs will yield by catch in the form of decent Lizards otherwise known as flathead but you’ll likely miss the Bream. And a paternoster rig, a staple drifting rig, is not exactly keeping things as simple as possible.  Come winter it’s best to select deeper downstream holes and channels using your local knowledge and/or a sounder. Anchor up as far away as possible from your target. Bream will be spooked into inaction during the winter, particularly in heavily fished, high traffic areas.

If you’re land based and looking for access to the river mouth, hit the break walls. Of course you may need to go to a heavier rig but the same principal of keeping it as light and simple as possible applies. Run a sinker to a swivel with a leader length that’s suits your conditions. If you need to cast lengthy distances, you may have to consider shortening your leader.

The Best Baits and Lures for Winter Bream

Winter Bream Lures

While soft plastics like grub tails and fish tails etc. get results, winter is the time when blade lures and hard bodies like Vibes and Cranks come into their own when fishing the rivers, harbours and estuaries. They are brilliant for fishing deeper in the water column and their unique actions can excite the laziest of Bream into a savage attack. They are, arguably, the best lures for catching winter Bream. You will also do well with these lures in your regular spots, on weed beds and structures like oyster racks. We strongly advise having a decent selection of colours at hand in your tackle box. For some reason the winter sends Bream all Barramundi-like and they can get ridiculously selective with colour. Another very good tip is to spend the extra coin and get premium quality, top shelf lures. It really does make a difference. Using a fish attractant on your lures is also wise and has often proven the difference between no Bream and full live wells.

For non-artificial baits, I.e. flesh baits, experimentation is the order of the day. There is however bait/location combinations that have proven results as the best baits for winter Bream. Save your live Yabbies for downstream in the winter. You’ll catch Bream where you catch the Yabbies but they’re likely to be juvenile. Take your hard earned live Yabbies and fish the surf gutters. They’re an excellent bait for winter Bream in the surf. Crabs, both live and dead, are brilliant in the surf and brilliant from the rocks and break walls. Great flesh baits include mullet gut, cubed Bonito or Frigate Mackerel, bread and, particularly if you fish busy city harbours and rivers like Sydney, Wollongong or Newcastle, cubes of beef or chicken. Yes, a cheap piece of chopped up chuck steak can have outstanding results.

Check the Links Below and Kit up for Winter Bream Action

Having read this article we’ve got no doubt many of you will be champing at the bit to hit the water, try some new tactics, confirm some of your own suspicions we’ve covered here or, simply try a new technique. Before you race out the door, check the links below for kit you may require to maximise your chances by equipping to rig effectively for awesome winter Bream.

Graphite Fishing Rod Care – About Graphite rods and how to use them.

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Important Tips in Caring for Your Graphite Fishing Rods and how to use them.

Graphite Fishing rods are great alternative to fiberglass and composite rods. They are as tough, if not tougher, and can give you all the fish-fighting power needed to land your next big catch. Not only that. These rods are also lighter, and you can expect to go home less fatigued even after a whole day of fishing. Their superior design offers more sensitivity so you can easily feel the fishes nipping at the bait

Graphite rods can give you great fishing experience if used correctly; if not, they’ll snap on you and leave your hands and net empty. But don’t worry, just follow these easy steps and you’ll feel like a pro in no time

Spooling fishing line, braid onto a reel using a graphite rod

Traditionally with fibreglass fishing rods it has generally been safe to spool new line onto your reel running the line through all the runners. With today’s modern graphite fishing rods we highly discourage spooling new line onto your reel in the same manner as depending on how you are spooling line onto the reel particularly if you have another person holding the spool of line applying pressure to the spool of line by hand or similar it is possible you could hit a dead spot or apply too much pressure and accidentally break your rod.

One misconception  about spooling line onto a reel is that it is like fighting a fish. Spooling line onto a reel is definitely not like fighting a fish just one main reason being; fish will not automatically stop dead in its tracks and apply the same sort of force that would happen if you accidentally hit a dead spot whilst spooling your line along with applying too much force with a chance of also accidentally high sticking your rod whilst spooling up, It’s just a deadly combination that can have unwanted consequences.

We hear of too many people breaking graphite rods whilst spooling line onto a reel usually with the breakage occurring towards the top of the rod within vicinity of the first few rod guides. This is accidental breakage which is usually not a warranty issue. In general, rod breakage is very rarely a result of a manufacturing fault or flaw with probably less than 1% of rods being an actual fault. 99% of the time rod breakages occur due to angler misuse, abuse or accidental error.

Therefore to avoid breaking your graphite fishing rod we strongly recommend spooling your new line onto your fishing reel using only the bottom 1-2 guides only on the rod. Or if you have a 2 piece fishing rod, the guides on the bottom section of the rod.  Even better! Why use a graphite rod to spool your line on? If you have other rods in your collection such as fibreglass rods and you really want to insist on spooling the line on your reel using all the runners on the fishing rod, use a fibreglass fishing rod instead that can handle much more punishment then just take the reel off once finished and place it on your intended graphite rod.

No matter how long you have been fishing for, how many reels you have spooled up in your life time or how much of an expert you think you are accidents can happen especially with graphite fishing rods therefore we recommend spooling line onto your reel in the manners advised to avoid breakage of your graphite fishing rod.

 

When Fishing Using a Graphite Fishing Rod in these situations

A. Working aboard a Boat

The worst thing that could happen to you while fishing from a boat is breaking your fishing rods or damaging rod guides. Not that they break easily as they are tough as nails. But don’t tempt fate by being lazy in organizing your fishing rods. As the old trusted navy saying goes “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Keep your fishing gear tucked in a safe place when not in use to avoid people stepping on them or getting hammered with heavy objects. Bruising the rods will eventually lead to breakage.

B. Casting from the Bank

If you lay the rods around haphazardly, expect someone to step on them. So don’t. People will not be looking at the ground all the time while walking, so keep the rods away from where they can be stepped on. Keep them in places where they are seen easily, like leaning them on your tackle box.

Avoid hanging branches of trees or other overhead impediments when casting from the banks. Smashing your rod against tree branches or other hard objects is the surest way to bruise it, significantly weakening that part of the rod blank where it hit another object. Damage may look minimal initially; however it could result to breakage later. Take note that most fishes that got away during a fight are the results of broken rods that suffered bruises before.

 

C. Wading in the Waters

What you should avoid while fishing from the bank should be also observed while you are waist deep into the water. So keep your rod and reel safely tucked somewhere safe. Think its okay to lay them on the water? Think again!

You have a lot going on while fishing so you won’t know what’s happening to your fishing rods if they are laid flat on the water. The current may drag them away, or put undue strain on the rod tip. This is a bit worse if you are fishing in saltwater as saltwater or sand can get into the reel, through the reel seat or other tiny crevices. Saltwater is notorious for corroding fishing gear, and you don’t want it inside your reels.

 

The Fight

A. On board a Boat

No matter how desperate you are to land a fish, listen to the voice of veteran fishermen and never “high stick” your rod. The most angle that you should coax from your rod must not exceed 90° when trying to subdue a struggling fish. Most rods that break during a fight are the result of high sticking and carelessness on the part of the fisherman.

B. Wading in the waters

Users of fly rods must remember that, you will need extra preparation to bring in fish safely if you expect a good fight from your catch while wading waist deep in the waters. Allow a little more line to run from the rod tip, usually longer than the length of the rod itself so you can pull the fish closer to you. The extra line will help your rod bear the weight even if you pull rod high up into the air.

Next Step, Safely Landing or Boating Your Catch

A fish will weigh more in the water. Remember that and you’ll avoid breaking a lot of rods. A five pound fish weigh more while it is in the water. Many rods were broken because fishermen were tempted to hoist their catch instead of using a net. Avoid boating a fish this way unless your catch is less than two pounds.

Hoisting heavy fish puts a lot of load on the rod. This is made even more untenable when you “high stick” the rod and raise it more than 90° off the water.

Another bad habit is grabbing the rod above the fore grip. You don’t want to do this as you need the rod to be flexible by using the entire blank for support of the heavy load. The golden rule is to always use a net if allowable. This way, you won’t lose your fish and you won’t break your rod.


Setting the Hook

The right energy hook set used with your fishing rod can go a long way in preventing damage or breakage. It cannot be stressed more that “high sticking” your rod, or bringing it high straight above your head at more than 90° angle with water, puts a lot of strain to the rod’s tip.

Newer lines, like the Low Stretch lines that are popular with anglers today, are bringing new ways to avoid damage to the rod. These lines have low elongation factors, allowing you to use short swing and low energy hook sets, instead of the traditional high-energy long swing hook sets. The combination prevents the lure or bait from getting accidentally dislodged from the fish jaw.

 

The correct way to free snagged lures and Tackle

The trick in freeing a snagged lure without breaking your expensive fishing rod is to pull on the line while the rod is pointed directly to the position of the snag. Do this while your palm is firmly cupping the spinning reel spool or your thumb firmly planted on the bait casting spool. This takes away the strain from the rod. But you have to watch out for the lure or sinker coming at you like a bullet when it suddenly gets freed from the snag. Remember that a fully stretched fishing line will act like a spring when one end suddenly comes loose. Never pull back the rod at an upward or downward angle or in a jerking motion as this can cause a graphite fishing rod to snap. a

 

Proper Care for Reel Seat

Do not use any kind of tool when tightening your reel sets. The force from your fingers is enough to do the job.

 

Keeping your Rod’s Finish Shiny and New

 No matter how tired you are from a fishing trip, make sure that you clean your rod thoroughly before storing them. Heat, high humidity, sea water, and sediments can damage your rod’s shiny finish. Store them in a dry place when you’re done cleaning. An occasional paste wax treatment is good too

 

Transporting Fishing Rod

A. In an Airplane

You won’t be having trouble if you fly your own jet. But when flying commercial, make sure you pack the rods in tough PVC or ABS casement. The best practice is to pack the rods individually. If individual packaging is not possible then strap and tape them together, alternating tips and butts to prevent breakage due to abrasion. And most of all, avoid dropping the rod containers at all cost. Commercial airlines will not take responsibility if your fishing equipment ends up damaged, so take the necessary precaution.

B. Road Trip

Store the rods and other fishing gear at the back of the truck or wagon where there is ample space for them. Again, make sure that they are carefully packed or taped to avoid rod blanks getting damaged by heavy objects like tools or spare tire. If possible, separate these things from your fishing gear. Even slight abrasion or damage to the rod blanks can cause breakage when the rod is put under heavy stress during fishing.

 

Storing the Rods

A. Boat Storage

1. Having rod lockers in your boat is the easiest way to keep your fishing rods and other gears safe. Just take some precaution against the rods bouncing around and into each other as this can result to bruising of the rod blanks, especially in rough waters. Again, proper care is needed to separate the rods and tuck them in safely.

2. Gunwale mounted racks for rods gives your easy access to your fishing gears as they are mounted off the deck. Just take extra care to keep them out of oars and other heavy objects’ way.

3. Vertical rod racks is an alternative storage if you can keep them safe from getting hit when casting.

Garage storage

 1. Protect fishing rods with heavy tube or rod locker when storing it in a garage. This is to protect them from getting smashed or hit with heavy objects. Never allow the rods to sit in a corner unless you plan on buying new rods next fishing season.

2. Keep the fishing rods away from heat sources. These include water heater and other heavy appliances as heat from these things can damage the finishing and other materials that constitute the rods.

In the House

C. Store the fishing rods in a safe and dry place in your house. Keep them away from heavy objects like guns, other sporting gears, tools, and others. Keeping them in their own closet or enclosing them in heavy tubes is a good idea.

Summary

Follow these steps proudly provided to you by Ocean Storm Fishing Tackle and you will get a long life out of your Graphite Fishing Rods.

Fishing for Black Marlin

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Species Article: Black Marlin

An angler’s first sight of a black marlin is an unforgettable experience: it is a magnificent fish weighing up to several hundred kilograms, and its size is matched by great power, speed and agility.  It’s therefore no surprise that the black marlin is much sought after by anglers from around the world who wish to take up the challenge of this spectacular fish with its renowned fighting qualities.

The Black marlin is at home in the tropical and sub-tropical waters of our Indian and Pacific oceans. They mostly swim in the surface layer of the sea, near land masses and in the vicinity of coral atolls. In Australia black marlin are distributed throughout the coastal areas of all states, with the most popular recreational fishing grounds being off Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. Black marlin can be caught almost all year round somewhere in Australia: on the east coast, for example, they are plentiful in north Queensland waters between July and November, off southern Queensland from November to March, off northern New South Wales from December to April and off southern New South Wales between January and May.

Although some tackle has been specifically designed for big game fishing, expensive and sophisticated equipment is not essential if you’re targeting juvenile marlin rather than really big ones.  A lever drag game reel is ideal Such as  A Shimano TLD 50 Two speed fishing reel stocked by our Online Fishing Tackle Shop would be a good choice and you’ll need at least 640 metres of line with break strength of 24kg to suit. A game style rod is ideal, such as the Shimano T-Curve 24kg Stand Up fishing rods for game fishing from a boat or if you are into land based game fishing then you could consider the Live Fibre RLF14 Land based game fishing rod.

The major food of black marlin is other fast-swimming fish species such as tuna, trevally and mackerel and a range of other bait fish. As opportunistic feeders, the black marlin consumes a lot of bait fish, and anglers take advantage of this feeding pattern when seeking out their targets. Some signs that bait is around include hovering birds and objects floating on the surface.

Trolling baits and lures, or a combination of these, are the most usual methods used by anglers to catch black marlin, with lures now being used increasingly in preference to live bait. Our Online Fishing Tackle Shop stocks a variety of marlin lures including the ever popular Pakula Lures range of trolling skirts with an enticing head shaking action. Lures are most effective when several are trolled in a pattern or otherwise known as a spread, but one or two lures can still work well.

The excitement when you hook a marlin is very special. If you win the battle with a marlin, the decision whether to capture or release the fish is yours.  Whatever you decide, you will have had a thrilling tussle with a very worthy opponent.

Check out some useful information on Pakula lure choice:

Flathead Lures | Fishing with Soft Plastic Lures

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Fishing with Soft Plastic Fishing Lures for Flathead

Soft plastic lures are a great way to attract Flathead.  While the species is renowned for its laziness, it will put up quite a fight when hooked, and if you win the battle, Flathead make great eating.  Here are some tips for catching Flathead with soft lures.

 

Flathead are found in shallow water in estuaries and bays where they hide, camouflaged and partially buried in sand.  Rather than actively seeking food, Flathead wait for their prey to come to them, conserving their energy for the quick burst of acceleration that they make when an attractive morsel passes nearby.  By slowly trailing bait or lures along the bottom, anglers have the best chance of hooking Flathead.

 

Most of the types of lure that are successful with bream will work with flathead, too.  Soft plastic lures that attract bites from Flathead are generally at least 50 mm in length. Ocean Storm’s Online Fishing Tackle Shop stocks a range of fishing lures in soft plastic materials, such as Squidgies, as well as Berkeley Gulp fishing lures made from natural biodegradable materials. These lures look and feel like soft plastic and are impregnated with a scent that fish find irresistible.

 

Soft plastic lures come in a range of colours, and it’s useful to keep a variety of colours in your tackle box.  Many anglers find that dark coloured soft plastic lures in the same colours work better on dark days, while lures in lighter colours or more natural looking colours attract more bites from flathead on light days.  After a period with no results, changing the shape of lure you use, for example swapping a minnow shape for a grub shape, will often encourage flathead to take a bite.

 

When fishing for flathead, fairly simple tackle is adequate.  Your aim is to slowly work the bottom, so a 3-4kg line on a basic spinning reel is generally fine.  While a fibreglass rod isn’t suitable for use with soft plastic lures because of their action and lack of sensitivity, a basic 6-7 foot graphite fishing rod allows the angler to cast more accurately and gives the sensitivity to feel a nibble from the target.

 

When the weather is warm and the water is shallow, fishing for flathead can be very rewarding.  Flathead appear to be indolent until they’re ready to pounce on their prey.  Flathead don’t seem to be at all wary of lures – so using Soft plastic fishing lures can make for an exciting day of fishing.

Checkout this clip below for fishing for Flathead on soft plastic lures: Brett Wilson From Shimano is using the Squidgy Pro Lobby Lure

Also check out this Clip to further your knowledge and experience in targeting fish on soft plastic fishing lures.. You can buy the full Soft Plastic Tactics Fishing DVD in our online fishing tackle shop.