Bass

[iowangler657]

Hey guys, i live on the island and have fished it for years, mainly at nite on da beach or sometimes on the boat in summer. ive recently bought 5 new 50g dexters or spinners as some call them and several packs of feathers but haven't given them a go yet. i was looking at some other Q&A's from a couple 'a' yrs back about where & what 2 fish using a spinner. Its now april and the bass r starting to appear in numba's & i want the chance 2 catch some, can any1 tell me when im likely 2 catch, if so where???

Thanx ;D

[olsmelly]

Spinning is really hunting. You have to find the fish and entice them to take your lure. Its not good standing in one spot thrashing the water to death!

The best time to spot predatory fish close inshore is between low tide and an hour after. The characteristic sign is a shoal of fry jumping in panic as predators chase 'em.

So! the first thing to do is to recce your shoreline!

Next: how to best attract the predator. Therein lies the art of spinning. Just blasting out as far as possible don't do much. It is the mistake of the beginner. Likewise heaving the lure back to shore at a constant speed misses many catches as well.

I find the best technique is to cast, pause and then retrieve is short smart drags.

You have to watch the pause in the shallows, and close in, as you will, if you aren't careful, catch the world!....... and bye bye spinner!

So there you are! But things start before you get to the hunt! What spinner for which application?

Once you have identified the beach, from which there might be decent action, you need to decide at what stage of the tide you want to fish.

A Dexter and heavy spinners are sod all use at low tide and close in! When casting across panicking fry shoals, to attract the predators, the best option is a floating lure. With this, it does not sink until you retrieve. With a floater, the pause and jerky retrieve is almost mandatory. The lip at the nose of the lure makes the lure dip like a damaged food fish. So the jerky retrieve is particularly attractive to a hungry predator...... an easy meal......... gotcha!

Don't be put off by the fact you can't cast it more than 10m or so. At low tide the strikes seldom occur more than a couple of metres offshore anyway........watch the fry jump and you'll soon get an idea of the ideal range.

The Dexter, Toby et al, are longer range spinners, better used further up the tide, when the predators have moved somewhat offshore and are lying in ambush. The pause is useful for a couple of things. My observations over the years have shown me that fish temporarily turn away from the locus of a surface noise........... instinctive preparation to avoid a diving bird.........

This means that, if you cast and retrieve immediately, the fish may not notice the spinner........ wasted effort!

The pause allows the fish to recover its composure (which is reasonably quick) while the lure sinks closer to the target, offering better chances that the fish will see it.

The erratic retrieve then becomes a part of the enticement; once again trying to imitate an injured fish.

Tip: loosely attach a small WHITE disk to the base of the treble. White is a visual sign of distress in injured fish......... it can add much to the attraction value of the dip and jerk of the lure.

:fishing-smile:

[iowangler657]

Thanx m8, some helpful tips there. ill give it a go

[Plug Monkey]

Some good info there olsmelly... Can you give me some more info on the white disc please?

What is it exactly and where do you get them?

[olsmelly]

A cut-down white flattie spoon, attached with a 5mm split ring springs to mind. The shape of the disc is up to you. I have seen circular, heart shaped and oval discs, dependent on manufacturer.

I use any bit of malleable plastic, which comes to hand: plastic picnic plates are cheap and convenient........ and easily cut. I have also half-inched my son's guitar plectrum, when needs must!
:bitch:
It doesn't need to be particularly big, just 10mm or so in diameter. As long as it can flap loosely, it'll provide sight and sound to the lure.

When spinning for trout, I favour a red disc, rather than white. Trout, for some reason, like a flash of red.

[Plug Monkey]

Ah ok I think I am with you, but just to confirm:

1 plastic picnic plate, cut disc to 10mm with the centre hole being about 5mm, remove treble from split ring, slip dics over treble, re-attach treble to split ring and bobs your uncle?

[olsmelly]

Nope! 10mm disc with 2mm hole close to one edge.

Slip it on to the existing split ring, or add one (about 5mm), without disturbing the treble.

Whose senile around here?