What soft plastics to use

[Rosco]

Hi ! Being some what new to the art of luring Black Bream with soft plastics I'm chasing some pointers from the more experienced (or more lucky ???) anglers out there who haunt the Swan River. I generally fish from the Causeway up, where the the water is always dark and dirty looking. Is bright colours the go here ? Are natural colours a waste of time and indeed money or does it all depend on the day ? I have also been almost exclusively using 2.5" Paddle Tails. Should I go a bit smaller or maybe larger ?
Are single tails and grubs a better option in my neck of the woods ?
To date I have landed heaps of flathead and 2 Bream. I need to improve the Bream count dramatically !!!

All fish landed in my tinny from the Swan are returned unharmed whenever possible so any tips given will only increase my enjoyment, not lower stocks !

Here's to a more productive soft plastic collection !

Rosco.

[Bream Master]

Rosco,

The school of thought is actually the opposite. Natural colours in dirty/dark water and bright colours in clear water. I know that sounds irish but it does work.

As for the plastics you are using, leave the 2.5 PT's in the box for now and try something a little bit smaller. Once you can pick where the Bream are the 2.5's will be useful. Try some 1.5" sliders in pumpkinseed or Muscadine, and some Atomics 2" Fat Grubs in the new Amber, Avocado Gold, Brown Crawdad, Motor Oil, Gold etc. These are all proven colours. Have a browse through the online store and pick a few out. You can pay in a host of different ways, just follow the links.

Other than than, slow your retrieve right down and try to imitate bait fish. They don't swim in a straight line at a constant speed. Try letting the bait drop for a couple of seconds when it hits the water, and then twitch it a couple of times before you start to retrieve.

Keep trying, you'll get fish regularly at some point. Some of the regualrs here only caught their first fish on plastics at Albany.

Warren.

[Bear]

Hi Rosco,
Don't forget hards as well. I went out with Richo again today and he managed one on a bright our-gee.

The halco scorpions are good as well and have been very successful at the Swan Trust Jetty.

The one Richo caught today was actually in the small lake on Herrison Island just near the drain emptying into the Swan. Just goes to show, they're all over the place.

[Rosco]

Warren,

Thanks for the reply and help with my picture. Would reducing the pixel size reduce the file size so I can add pictures with my post's ? Also thanks very much for the pointers with regard to soft plastic choices and the fishing techniques that go with them.

I have visited the online shop (so much better than choosing between limited stock in shops) and run up a $150 bill which scared me off before ordering. However, with your advice I should be able to get that down to a manageable amount and also use them with a fair degree of confidence....which makes all the difference ! Also, what a brilliant idea about ringing back for the credit card details, I'll be shopping in a minute.

One more question..... With the smaller softies the size two hooks I have look to be too much metal for too small a lure and the size 4 hooks I have dont carry enough weight to cast the distances I need (no electric motor......yet !). Any more clues ???

Thanks again.

[Rosco]

Bear,

Thanks for the reply. Before the soft plastic revolution got me hook, line & sinker I tried with hard bodies and managed 2 Bream (700gms biggest) with a Tilsan Bass (reddish orange & black stripes) and one on the new Sneaky Scorpians when soft plastics weren"t catching anything but flathead (as usual for me). It was approx 20 cms. Will definately remember them in the future. Also good to know more experienced (lucky ???) anglers are fishing aroung the same areas as me.

[Bream Master]

Rosco,

Size 2 hooks are my favourite irrespective of lure size. If the plastic is small, I go to a Gamakatsu round 211 1/32nd. This is what I caught the Mulloway on in the Albany comp so I think they are more than capable of standing up to the Bream. This was rigged in a 1.5" Ecogear Mini Tank.

Reducing pixel size will drop the file size down too.

As for being frightened off by a $150 bill, don't get DaveW started on the subject.

Just get what you can afford. One tip would be to order over $50 if it's within your budget so that it gets Express Posted for free to you.

Warren.

[Bear]

No worries Rosco,
You should come and and have a chuck with us. We are usually out around 3 times a week in the afternoons.

Ther's and idea for you Warren, how about a trip forum or buddy forum.

[chris_lemess]

Good idea Bear.

Or maybe before the Walpole comp we should organise a big fish with a whole heap of guys from here. Just spinning from the shore in an alloted area.

Chris

[Craig_S]

Yep, good idea Chris. I think you raised that once before and I thought it was good then also.

Rosco, Pete just won the Albany BREAM Tournament, in fact he blitzed and whooped us all, on pumkinseed and muscadeane sliders in dirty water..........

[Rosco]

Absolutely Bear, let me know when and where and I'll be there !
Incidently, have you encountered any Perrrch when chasing Blacks ?

[Dave W]

Originally posted by Bream Master
Rosco,

Size 2 hooks are my favourite irrespective of lure size. If the plastic is small, I go to a Gamakatsu round 211 1/32nd. This is what I caught the Mulloway on in the Albany comp so I think they are more than capable of standing up to the Bream. This was rigged in a 1.5" Ecogear Mini Tank.

Reducing pixel size will drop the file size down too.

As for being frightened off by a $150 bill, don't get DaveW started on the subject.

Just get what you can afford. One tip would be to order over $50 if it's within your budget so that it gets Express Posted for free to you.

Warren.

lol.....

Dave's tips for buying online:

1) Get a post office box
2) Re-direct all credit card statements to said box
3) Never (very important) let the missus see the package turn up
4) Unpack and distribute the tackle as soon as possible - they'll never know if it's new or not
5) Have a mother in law who actually wants to get you a decent pressie for Christmas and send her to this site

Cheers,

[Bear]

Hi guys,
I have a van at Myalup and can arrange to have a few tent with me for a night or 2 if we want to spend a day at Walpole.

I think a group day is a great idea. I'll be down there on Sunday the 22nd to the 4th.

Let me know what you think.

[Bear]

Rosco,
How does Herrison on Monday at around 4:00pm sound. I think CraigS and Richo will come as well??

[chris_lemess]

Bear - a group day here or there? I vote here... if it can be organised before Christmas!

And what happened to the DohDohDoh flathead days? I'd like to see one this summer... Pt. Roe was a good spot I seem to remember!

Chris