gear

[ashley]

hi i would like to know if i am doing anything wrong

i catch on average about three bream on lures when i go fishing but i have spoken to people who say they catch about twenty in one session
so i would like to know if my gear is up to scatch and what i should buy prices arnt a big thing though

i have a 7'' jarvis walker whitetail rod an abu garcia fn200 reel spooled with 6 lb fireline and i use 10 lb trilene leaders

i have also thought that it could be the the diameter of the leader so any help would be appreciated

[Bream Master]

Are you using soft plastics or hard bodies. If you are using hard bodies then the set up seems fine for getting started. Perhaps just try gong down to a 6 pound leader from time to time and see if it improves your hit rate. If the fish are spooky then the lighter leader will give you a better chance at hooking up, but obviously at the expense of being able to fight as hard as you could with the ten pound.

If you are using SP's then the white tail rod may limit you slightly as it is fairly hard in the tip. They have been renamed Tuff-Tip from memory, and if this is anything to go by, the response from the solid glass wouldn't be the best for picking up small bumps on the other end of the line.

Depending on your financial situation, a different rod with a larger ratio of graphite wouldn't hurt. Now before we have a repeat of this weeks farce, let me clarify a few things:

1. A high quality graphite rod, which provides a super sensitive tip will improve your fishing. It's similar to switching from mono to fireline. If you think that there is no difference between fireline and mono when it comes to sensitivity then that's your opinion. But it's wrong...

2. The same principle translates to rods. The more sensitive the rod tip (I didn't say soft, you can have a fast action tip but still be sensitive), the more hits you will feel. I have recently switched to a high end graphite rod of an undisclosed brand, which has improved my soft plastic fishing no end. The more response you get from your rod the more hookup's you will have the opportunity of maximising. Now I didn't say you will catch more fish, that part is up to you as you must still strike at the appropriate time and land the bugger. However, if you don't feel the bump, you won't know the fish is even there.

3. Depending on your budget, here are some graphite rods I would recommend from our current stock in order of price...

Shakespeare Synergy (IM7 blank) - $60
Procaster S - $90
Shimano Stella - $110
Daiwa Heartland (IM6 blank) - $150
Strudwick SPS - $260
Black Diamond - $350
Strudwick TPS - $450

My recommendation to you would be to stay in the $60 - $150 range initially, and spend time refining you skills. Once you are proficient in BOTH hard bodies and soft plastics, then choose a rod which enhances your best chances at catching a fish.

If you get stuck only being able to fish one type, then you won't have the range to cover all situations. You could spend a grand on a rod and still not have the chance to land a fish. Don't get caught with a shortfall in your skills as your boater won't be changing his style to suit your narrow range.

This is my advice to you Ashley, take it in full or just use bits as you can. Try some of the new types of lures coming onto the market now too. Some of them are awesome.

Feel free to ad to this guys if you think I've missed something.

Warren.

[ashley]

thanks i have been meaning to buy a new rod for ages i just havent got around to it i will have to go and buy a new one i will also have to buy some six pound leader then

[torvic]

Wow nice reply there Mr. Breammaster. Pretty much sums up my line of thinking recently...

Apart from being an overkill by using a super $$$ rod you don't really know how to use yet, getting experience with your own skill and abilities will also ensure you know what your going to buy is right for you...not everyone will be right with one particularly expensive but popular rod

O and this might seem silly, but make sure your actually responsible enough before you jump into the high end rods. What i mean by this, is do you take take care of your rod and not bump it and hit things whhen moving around and fishing tight spots etc? I know I dont...scraping jetties is not good

[OTTY]

i am thinking of buying a rod and reel of ur site

i am thinking of gettin the Shakespeare Synergy (IM7 blank) $60 bucks

what also is a good reel that will go well with this rod, i have never fished sp or hardbodies b4 but i am keen to go out around the patterson lakes area and have a go

anyway thanks

[OTTY]

also is goin for the cheapest the best if ur new to sp fishing ?

i dont want to spend to much but what is a good set up for someone new, ?


can u get "kits" with everything u need, line, sp, hardbodies, rods and reel combos of this site ? i havent seen any

Uh oh, this thread feels like I've been here before for some reason.........

I see you jumped in before I had a chance to answer Wazza

A light graphite rod you say Wazza? Mmmmm sounds kinda familar.

I can't wait to see what someone will post up soon telling Warren what they think of his sales pitch.....................

JP, Mim, you there?

Hello, anyone home?


Ahhhhhh, call me what you like but I just couldn't resist

[chris_lemess]

You're a flogger Ira!

Tch tch tch Chris, that sort of talk will just get you photos like this one posted up!

Remember this one!

DohDohDoh Issue I think

ahahahahaahah
Ira your a flogger...
nice pic Lemming

[chris_lemess]

Hahah I still have that issue. That must have been my one of my first 5 bream on lure... that'd be a couple of years ago now I guess...

You looked like even more of a DohDohDohDohDoh back then lemess!!!! Good to see you've ascended the hierachy from quater pounder, to french fry.
I bet that fight lasted 10 minutes man...

[chris_lemess]

Mate you're the only french fry around here... not just any ordinary french fry... a friendry fish french fry! Man that place has the worst chips in the world! Mitch will back me up on that. Plenty of mulloway there though!