Fin-s Shad

[panger]

Has anyone used the Lunkercity Fin-s shad stickbait? It has a deep body like a shad but with a thin little forked tail. I couldn't help myself and bought 2 packs of the 1 3/4 inch ones. They look great, can't wait to try them out.

[Steersy]

Yeah i have used them and they are not bad if worked correctly Silver Trevally also seem to find them tasty.

I prefer the Fin-S Fish better than the shad it has a slimmer profile and a little more tail movement bream seem to love the pearl/olive color when rigged on a 1/16 skip in the shade (Ecogear)head as they have a nice natural/smooth sink rate and when tweeked have a very good wounded baitfish action.
Give them a crack you will not be dissapointed, also try the rainbow trout type color(not sure of the correct name given to this color) but they work a treat on both rianbow and brown trout.

Cheers
Steersy

[panger]

If the shop had some Fin-s fish in stock I would have snapped them up! Unfortunately I haven't seen them for a while.

BTW what retrieve are you using for you Fin-s fish on the 1/16th jig? I have had almost no success with stickbaits when using a 1/16th, while having some mad sessions jerking them on 1/32ths.

[Steersy]

G'day Panger,

The retrieve goes as follows:
1) Cast as close to or into a likely looking snag (typically to the up current side of snag is best) or to sighted fish, a lobby cast that leaves the rod tip fairly high and lands the bait softly is best;

2) flick the bail arm over by hand as soon as you hit the water (if you crank the bail over you can move the bait away from the strike zone);

3) As soon as the cast is presented, begin lowering the rod tip from its high position slowly down to the water level (if depth/snag allows this much drop back). Try to lower the rod tip at the same rate as the sink rate of the plastic keeping as little slack in the line as possible and keeping a very close eye on your main line/leader join for any pause in the sink or twitch/sideways movement of the line (any unusual line movement should be met with a strike) this lowering of the rod tip allows the plastic to sink vertically and remain in the strike zone for longer;

4) at the bottom of the sink slowly/smoothly lift the rod tip from the water level to about 11.00pm and while lifting give the rod tip a little shuddering type of wiggle (not to much of a wiggle though as too much movement can spook a weary fish at this stage);

5) At the top of the lift, pause and slowly/smoothly lower the rod tip back down while smoothly taking up the slack line (again keep a very keen eye on the line as it peels through the waters surface, this is typically when a strike will occur);

6) continue this lift and drop process while working the bait over/through the snag/structure;

7) On alternate lift strokes put a small pause mid way in the lift/rod tip shudder (i.e. one smooth constant lift/shudder then on the next lift/shudder put a small pause in the lift/shudder stroke and continue to alternate this)

Additional Notes:
A) Very important to have plastic centered and sitting smooth and straight on hook shank (No slight kinks/curves/bunched plastic to be seen).
B) Takes a little practice to get the shuddering lift happening smoothly, but worth the effort.
C) Accurate casting is very important to achieve good results.
D) Keeping the plastic in the strike zone without snagging is a bit of an art that requires time spent amongst the snags and a bit of lost gear, goes with the territory unfortunately.
E) Hi Vis yellow Fireline is the prefered line for good bite detection.
F) Siglon sinking leader is my prefered choice.
G) Fairly tight pull-em or pop-em drag settings are the go here.

Hope this helps?
Good luck
It has worked a treat for me in VIC, NSW and down here in TAS, give it a crack, you will not be disapointed!

Cheers
Steersy

[captn' squinty]

any ideas on where u get Fin-s fish from in brisbane????

[Steersy]

Sorry Capt'n

Do not know Brissy so cant halp there but you can order them through Compleat Angler Malbourne Store.

Give Brad or Rudy a call and let them know that Steersy sent you

Cheers
Steersy

[captn' squinty]

thanx steersy,

yea i thought about ordering via net from the USA. but maybe i just call compleat angler. do they have a site i can purchase from? i will do a search anyways.

i got some minnows from EBAY the other day, and they look great, a bit big but ill cut them down. ithink they were called Rattlesnakes they r 4inches long. i reckon the bass would gulp em down at the size they are now tho!!!

[Steersy]

Capt'n

Just call the number on this link and I am sure they should be able to look after you. May be a small postage cost? Not sure on this but Brad is the manager and he stocks a huge range of plastics (aal the good stuff) so give him a call

http://www.compleatangler.com.au/sto...id=camelbourne

Cheers
Steersy