Jigs: While jigs were traditionally just oversized lead slugs, now days jigs represent a number of different forms. Forms of jigs include lead headed flies, lead-headed soft plastics and also the traditional form of oversize lead slugs. Jigs can have a number of different hook combinations from single hooks to trebles. Jigs can range in size from just a few grams right through to half a kilogram. While jigs were once traditionally used only in deep water, today with the increasing range and diversity of styles there is a jig to suit nearly every popular angling species. If a suitable jig is moved in the correct region in the water column very exciting fishing is possible. As a tip vary your action and retrieves to find the most popular for the day.
Squid Jigs are a type of jig that is specifically designed to catch squid. There are two distinct types of Squid Jigs. The first type is the Bait style squid jig. This jig is characterised by a long steel shaft that that has a set or two of very sharp barb less prongs. A whole fish bait of a Whiting or pilchard is threaded onto the shaft. The second style of squid jig is the Yo-Zuri or prawn imitation jig. These jigs are very popular with squid anglers and are made out of cloth, wood or plastic.Squid jigs range in size from one inch through to six inches.
Bait Jigs or flasher rigs are multiple hooked rigs dressed with a combination of luminous beads, tinsel, feathers, cloth and/ or soft plastic lures. While flasher rigs are typically used to capture bait fish such as Mackerel, Herring and Trevally, they are also popular in larger sizes for larger off shore reef species including snapper, morwong and trumpeter.
Plugs: Are deep-bodied diving lures with a bib that controls the lures action as well as the lures diving depth. Usually of timber or plastic construction, Plugs are sometimes call Crank-baits. The term Crank-bait refers to the action in which the lure is retrieved, the lure is literally cranked through the water with the reel. Plugs are productive and popular on all Australian freshwater and estuarine species including Barramundi, Cod, Bream, Saratoga, Perch, Trout, Flathead and Bass.
Minnows: Are a timber or plastic slim baitfish profile lure that also has a bib. As with Plugs the bib on the Minnows also control the lures depth and action. Minnows are designed to imitate baitfish like mullet, pilchards, sardines, white-bait, blue-bait and mackerel. Certain Minnows are designed to be retrieved in a jerking motion. These lures are popularly called Jerk-baits. Minnows vary in size from just a couple of centimetres right through to models exceeding 30 centimetres. Minnows in their respective sizes will catch nearly every popular Australian species.
Poppers: Are surface lures that are made out of wood or plastic. There are many different types of poppers including fizzers, bloopers and chuggers. Poppers are designed to imitate a startled or injured bait fish on the surface of the water. Typically a floating lure with a concave, flat or scooped head large poppers are predominately used in the tropical waters while smaller models are popular with fresh water native anglers and now also bream and whiting fishermen fishing the shallow sand flats and weed beds.
Lipless Crank-baits: Are deep bodied lures that typically have a loud internal rattle. Lipless crank-baits have no bib and get their action from the flat section on top of the lures head. Lipless Crankbaits are very successful when used on estuarine and freshwater species.
Trolling/ Kona Heads: Often called locally Pakula style lures, Trolling Heads are made out of metal, fibreglass and resin and have a skirt made out of plastic, tinsel or vinyl. These lures are used in game fishing and regularly catch Bill fish, Tuna, Mackerel, Wahoo and King Fish.
Soft Plastics: Are in all essence artificial baits. Typically plastic in construction and attached to the line by a jig head Soft Plastics have revolutionised Australian fishing as we know it. There are two parts to a Soft Plastic and these are the Tail and the Jig head/ Hook. The tail is the part of the lure that gives lure its action. The tail of a soft plastic is at times scented and even in some cases completely biodegradable. While the tail controls the action the Jig head and Hook control the lures position in the water column and sink rate. Soft Plastics are typically sold in 2 parts, the Jig Head and the Tails. This is a great advantage to the angler as they can use the same Jig Head on different Tails and vice versa. Soft Plastics also can represent a great value for money as you get a number of tails and jig heads per packet. It should also be advised that when you fish with Soft Plastics you will get your best results when you angle in a fashion that is a combination of Bait and Lure fishing. Soft Plastics will catch species from Tarpon to Tuna and salmon to Sailfish.
Traces and leaders are used as shock absorbers, abrasion protection and main line protection. Monofilament or Mono leaders should feature Fluorocarbon co-polymer construction, high abrasion resistance, high knot or crimp strength and high tensile strength. Mono leaders should be used when fishing with braided line, this gives the angler extra abrasion resistance and shock protection. A leader should be used when ever an angler has a hook attached. This gives main line protection, more natural bait and lure presentation as well as shock protection. Mono leader material is a better choice over a wire leader as Mono leaders give a more natural presentation, are less visible and more shock absorbent. Wire leaders should be used when chasing Toothy critters like sharks and Mackerel. While coated multiple strand wire is normally the choice of anglers there are occasions when an angler will require a thinner gauge wire. Single strand wire is often used by anglers live baiting for mackerel.
Swivels are used for a number of functions. The primary function of a swivel is to prevent line twist as a result of a rotating bait, lure or rig. Swivels are also used as a joining mechanism to join main line to leader, and as a separator and restrictor to stop sinkers from moving on to a rig or too far up the main line.
Swivels are sized the same as hooks with 14 being the smaller end of the scale and 4/0 being the upper end of the scale.
There are a number of different types of swivels. Types include Barrel, Torpedo, Box, Crane, Snap swivels and 3-Way swivels.
Barrel swivels are the cheapest and most popular swivels. Barrel swivels are not the most effective in reducing line twist but they are a very effective component when used in a running sinker rig, where the swivel is used as a separator and joiner. Barrel swivels come in two colours, Brass and Black. The brass are fine in most applications but if you are fishing in areas where fish like Barracouta, Barracuda, Mackerel and other toothy predators live, a black swivel is the smart choice. The reason behind this is the fact that a shinny brass swivel can look like a baitfish and attract the unwanted attention of hungry toothy critters resulting in bite-offs and lost fish. Black swivels are very useful in clear water and when targeting shy fish, this is once again due to the minimum amount of “flash” that they produce.
Crane Swivels are stronger, smaller and more effective than Barrel swivels. The only disadvantage to the Crane swivel is the fact that it more expensive than the Barrel swivels.
Torpedo swivels are typically used in Game fishing and heavy-duty applications. Torpedo swivels turn more freely than other swivels of a similar size and come in
3-Way swivels are great in dropper style rigs. 3-Way swivels are great for preventing a dropper twisting around the main line. The reason behind this is the 3-Way swivel’s ability to enable unbalanced bait to spin in the water and during casting. The major downfall of a 3-way swivel is the possibility of the swivel arm breaking under pressure due to metal fatigue.
Snap swivels are mainly used by lure anglers as the Snap mechanism gives the angler the ability to quickly change lures while not having to re-tie on the lure. Snap swivels do reduce the action of a lure and its buoyancy. Snap swivels are great for offshore anglers frequently changing rigs. I personally use Snap swivels in a dropper or paternoster rig to attach sinkers in fishing locations where there is a large amount of tidal flow. Snap swivels also come in Black and Brass finishes, and colour selection is the same as that used for Barrel swivels.
To reduce line twist when trawling some anglers employ Keels in association with swivels. For heavy-duty salt water applications heavy lead keel sinkers are employed where in fresh water applications like light spinning and slow trawling for trout, clear plastic or celluloid keels are used. Keels are not required for all trawling and spinning applications but should be considered when fishing with free spinning lures.
Fluorocarbon RigsThere are two types of Rings, Brass rings and Split rings. Brass rings are used in much the same ways as Barrel swivels. The advantage of Brass rings over Barrel swivel is the rings lighter and stronger for its size. This gives the angler the ability to more naturally present baits. Split rings are made of steel and are used to attach hooks to lures.
Ezy-Rigs are used in running sinker rigs and give the angler the ability to change sinkers regularly. Ezy-Rigs come in 2 sizes, small or large and 2 colours Blue or Red. There are many imitations of Ezy-Rigs on the market these days they come in a range of sizes and colours, they are sure to do the job, but the original is always the best.
Floats come in many shapes and sizes and are used in many fishing situations. Floats are typically used to suspend a bait or baits in a certain area in the water column and indicate to the angler indications of a bite. Floats can be fix or running, clear or coloured, made of Plastic, wood, cork, foam or glass. Most floats are high visibility on the top for angler recognition and low visibility or white on the base for camouflage.
When choosing a float think about the application that you are going to use it for. If your fishing for Mullet or Luderick in calm waters you would probably use a Quill float. Now if you were fishing for these species in more turbid waters you would use a heavier pencil float. If you require a float for use in very clear water for catching very timid fish say trout for example, you would use a bubble float. Bubble floats are great because you determine their buoyancy by inserting water into the bubble, this lets the angler present the bait as naturally as possible. If your rock fishing and casting big baits you would use a Torpedo float.
You have to consider the following when choosing a float, Size of fish targeted, size of bait, Casting characteristics, environment being fished, angler visibility required, running or fixed rigging and the advantages of fish attracting devices like burley cages and flashing devices.
As a tip if you want to rig a float in the running style and don’t want to use a heavy sinker as a stopper try tying a piece of wool where you require the stopper. Many anglers find that their line sinks and creates a bow of line between the rod and the float. This bow of line reduces hook-up rates as it reduces strike time. One way of reducing or eliminating this line bow is to apply Silicon or Vaseline to your main line.
Nets and gaffs are used to land fish. Gaffs are primarily used on fish that are intended for the table. Fish should be gaffed in the head or shoulder region, this reduces the damage to the edible fish flesh. Gaffs come in a variety of sizes and are typically designed for landing larger fish. The size of the gaff required is dictated by the size of the fish targeted. For fish that roll and thrash like sharks Flying Gaffs (Gaffs with detachable barbed hooks) are best suited. Gaffs can also be used in handling fish destined for released. If you intend to release a fish gaff the fish in the mouth there is very minimal damage done to fish as long as you support the fish’s weight as you lift it.
Nets and gaffs are used to land fish. Gaffs are primarily used on fish that are intended for the table. Fish should be gaffed in the head or shoulder region, this reduces the damage to the edible fish flesh. Gaffs come in a variety of sizes and are typically designed for landing larger fish. The size of the gaff required is dictated by the size of the fish targeted. For fish that roll and thrash like sharks Flying Gaffs (Gaffs with detachable barbed hooks) are best suited. Gaffs can also be used in handling fish destined for released. If you intend to release a fish gaff the fish in the mouth there is very minimal damage done to fish as long as you support the fish’s weight as you lift it.
A quality Gaff should have a strong handle, sharp stainless steel barb less hook, hook cover and a quality handle grip.
Nets and the type employed are once again dictated by the fish that you are targeting. All nets should be of sturdy construction and furnished by a quality mesh. It is essential to match your mesh dimensions with the fish that you are anticipating on landing. You can look very silly if you fish slips through your net’s mesh and escapes. Nets are a more fish friendly way of landing your catch, this is epically true if your intending to release your fish. For anglers primarily intending to release their fish a net from the Environet range should be considered. Environet are specifically designed for catch and release fishing. Environets reduce the damage to the fish’s protective coat of slime, thus reducing the stress levels on the fish and increasing the fish’s chance of survival.
There are many features to look for when choosing a net. Net features include telescopic handles, collapsible heads, mesh type, mesh gauge, grips and handle lengths. When selecting your net make sure that you choose a net that is durable enough for your chosen application. Also in is vital to check the condition of your net prior to each fishing expedition, there would be nothing worse than loosing your catch of a life time due to a failure in your landing equipment.
Tip: Always net your fish head first and lead the fish to the net. Squid on the other hand should be netted from behind.
Bats are used to kill a fish and prevent the fish from suffering and doing damage to the boat. Bats are normally made out of aluminium or wood and are in the shape of a base ball bat. They are very effective for pacifying large fish quickly.
Depth Sounders have many applications including monitoring water depth, temperature, bottom structure, sea bed composition and fish locations. Good sounders offer high definition images/pixel count, water temperature readings, depth readings, grey line (a measure of the density of the sea bed), sensitivity control, interference reduction, split screen display, zoom, speed display, back light and even GPS input options.
Pixels are the measure of how many part a screen is divided into to. The higher the pixel count the higher the display definition. For shallow water operations a frequency of 200Khz is best, where deep water applications require a frequency of 50Khz. With a lower frequency you obtain deeper penetration but your target separation suffers.
Sounders are very much horses for courses. If you are going to use your sounder a lot then purchase a high quality model, if your only going to use one occasionally then get a lesser model. The key to a sounder is to get the best one for your requirements. There is no point in having features that you are never going to use. Sometimes a basic sounder may be all that you require. Simple features such as Grey line, 200Khz frequency, water temperature, sensitivity control, depth readings and zoom are all the features many anglers require.
To bag it or to box it is the new question in fishing gear storage. In the past everybody has had a tackle box. These boxes were hauled across the country in search of the fish and fishing memory of a lifetime. Your typical tackle box was like a trophy cabinet furnished with all of your favourite lures and accessories, it had fresh and saltwater gear as well as everything else you owned. Tackle boxes can be very cumbersome. A quality tackle box should be waterproof, have a quality handle, quality-locking device and be of suitable internal design to suite your needs. Tackle boxes have many different internal designs, including multiple trays, removable trays, adjustable shelves, adjustable compartments and internal removable storage boxes.