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Lures and soft plastics

Posted: 13 Oct 2018, 21:25
by peatop
Im posting this in newbie questions as im new to kayak fishing Portland and new to using hardbodie lures, im trying to setup for more lure use but again when i look at lures on the wall in the tackle shop im like a kid in the candy store, i have no idea what to buy!

So im asking the experts, what suggestions do you guys have for my coming trip to Portland? I guess i will be chasing snapper, kingies and tuna, so any suggestions for all styles of lures including sp's.

Re: Lures and soft plastics

Posted: 14 Oct 2018, 21:13
by shane
Below are my goto selections:

HB's:
Williamson Speedpro deep in Pilchard
Samaki Pacemaker 140DD - redbait or pilchard
Xrap 20 and 30 - various colours
Stick-baits - various will work

Top water Plastics:
Zman Heroz - 10" white
Hoogy or Slug-go

Trolling/Flicking plastics
Zman 7" jerk bait
Squidgy flick bait 85mm slimy or pilchard
Any other 7" flick bait or similar trolled on a 3/4 or 1oz 7/0 (eg TT Headlockz)

Also don't forget a squid strip rigged on a big worm hook and a white occy skirt. (this accounted for my 2 best tuna this year and is a classic for kings)

Best option if you can get it is live bait - squid, slimy or yakka, but can be hard to come by when you want them.

Be aware that some of the bigger HB's cause a bit of drag while trolling. Plastics/squid strips are generally easier when needing to cover distance then mix and match when in the zone. You will typically need to travel 5-7km min to locate tuna whereas kings can be in very close or on the reefs (eg Mnerva). Summer tuna and kings are often feeding on top so have a rod rigged read with a stick bait or big surface plastic.

Re: Lures and soft plastics

Posted: 14 Oct 2018, 21:17
by maverick
What Shane said, but I have also picked up some Tuna on 3 inch sp's rigged on a 5/0 jighead. Down sized to match the hatch.

Re: Lures and soft plastics

Posted: 14 Oct 2018, 21:20
by shane
maverick wrote:What Shane said, but I have also picked up some Tuna on 3 inch sp's rigged on a 5/0 jighead. Down sized to match the hatch.
Yes this. I forgot to mention there are some days when they are feeding on white bait and not interested in anything else. A 3" white SP on a small HD jig head can often temp them. I'll also be making up some skutes this season using a white-bait fly pattern tied to a jighead.

Re: Lures and soft plastics

Posted: 15 Oct 2018, 01:31
by peatop
Thank guys greatly appreciated :up: