If you're new to the sport, ask your questions here...

[Bream Master]

Don't be shy guys, if you want to ask any questions, there are some fantastic Bream anglers in here.

Warren.

[Craig_S]

Okay then Warren, I'll bang one away.

When using hardbodies is there any advantage to be gained in using a clip as opposed to a knot such as lefties perfection loop?

Is the LPL the best knot anyway?

Ta

[Dave W]

Hi Craig, mate I always use a loop knot - I know you can use a 'fly' clip and it doesn't hurt the action too much, but the extra weight of a clip can change the lure dynamics a bit, especially if you're using something like a Sneaky Scorpion.

I have also had a couple of clips pop open on me - not something you'd want to happen if you're comp. fishing with the winner on the end.

As to my favourite knot.... the one I use the most is a 'lure knot' (don't know if it has another name)

Have a look at it here:

Lure Knot (http://www.sportsfish.com.au/tips/animated-knots/index.html)

Cheers,

[Craig_S]

Thanks Dave, I reckon that is what I'm using too, bit of a granny knot combined with a blood knot.

[chris_lemess]

Hey guys,

Awesome site Warren! Very nice to navigate and pleasing on the eye!

In relation to the topic: some of you may have seen the snaps Taro and I use (maybe at the comp or whatever) but they are basically these:

http://www.owner.co.jp/cultiva/accessories/p-02.jpg

or these crosslock snaps (which I use):

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/images/Terminal%20Tackle/Cross%2DLok%20Snaps/Cross%2DLok%20Snaps.jpg

They are very small and rated to at least 20lb. I wouldn't use these on the flats if I was sight casting to nervous bream - but they sure make fishing hardbodies easier! You can interchange between hardbodies and plastics very quickly - saving valuable time if you see fish cruising by and haven't got the 2nd or 3rd rod rigged up properly. Ultimately I'd have 5 rods of course, but the snaps make my life a lot easier. They weigh nect to nothing and don't disturb the balance of the lure.

Unfortunately the first of those two from Owner aren't available here... neither are the smallest sizes in crosslocks. I wouldn't use the ones you can buy here (Berkley) because the smallest size offered is just that touch too big and the bream can probably see it.

Chris

[reelscreamer]

Hey,

yeah as chris said we both use snaps but if you can't order or get any from overseas I don't recommend using the ones you can buy here as they are too big and fly snaps tend to open up easily.

As with the balance of the lure because I change my trebles to owner fine wire ones they tend to be a lot lighter than the original ones and with the snap it actually makes it balance right again.

Taro

[Bear]

Hi guys,
I prefer to use a clip, especially in a comp situation with a quick lure change.

I've been using size 1 Shogun clips with no failures to date. Work well and don't seem to effect action. As far as action is concerned the lighter the clip the better. Just have to be careful of strength.

[Dave W]

Just a question about the clips guys, have you found that they spook the fish at all, more so when the fish are fussy or in clear water??

I tend not to use them as that's how I feel mentally - just the confidence thing.

It would be interesting to do a comparison between two guys fishing the same plastics, leaders, area etc. only difference being one uses clips and the other doesn't - any volunteers??

[chris_lemess]

Dave - already done that comparison thing. Made no difference. We both caught the same amount of fish in the alloted time space. The water was quite dirty though.

Basically if I am fishing flats with plastics, then I don't use snaps. If I'm on the boat, moving around, changing weights etc, then I always use snaps.

If I'm using hardbodies I also always use snaps. Makes changing easier especially for example if you come across a deep hole and you want to change to a plastic to get right down there.

Just makes life easier. If you don't find changing lures often is a big deal, then stick with what you use now. You're right it's a confidence thing!

Chris

[Matt Fraser]

G'day Craig,

I've got to say that I'm a fan of clips for hardbodies in most fishing situations including Bream fishing. The clip has to suit the application though. When fishing racks with hardbodies I use small coastlock style clips with no swivel. I used these on Oar Gees in the Bream GF and they never gave me a problem. The advantage of them is that I was able to change lures quickly whenever the hooks started looking dodgy.

Matt

[Bream Master]

Matt,

Can you find me a name of the clips you use and perhaps who distributes them. I'll try and track them down for the online store. Alternatively, anyone else who has a clip they are happy with let us know the details.

Warren.

[Bear]

Hasn't really seemed a problem so far Dave in clear and dirty water. I even use a Shogun no.1 which has a small weight to keep down floating lures like the Attack.

The small clips mean that there is no real effect on the lure. For me it was a case of wanting to change lures quickly.

[Matt Fraser]

Warren,
I'm going to the Tackle Warehouse today, so I'll have a look for the details on the clips. I think I need to stock up on a few anyway.
Matt

[Matt Fraser]

Warren,

The clips I use are Good Sport Cross-Lok Snaps (not coastlock as I mentioned earlier) size 0, 30lb test. The guys said that they were distributed by Wilsons. Hope that helps.

Matt

oooooooh sorry guys but I've been there done that with clips and they are bad news in my opinion. I've had way too many bream bend them open to use them again.

You can't beat a good knot, read what Starlo says about clips in his book.

Trust me you will only ever lose a 50cm bream once when your clip opens, you won't do it again......

Also I have video footage of bream taking the exact same lure in wonnerup but ignoring the same lure next to it being fished with a clip on the same line. Can they see the clip?

I have no doubt, ask my mate Brent, we then threw in prawns on 1 kilo line and they would'nt touch them, we then threw in prawns with no line or hook and they didnt even hit the bottom before the bream hit them. There is no doubt that they can see that its not right.

Also in this experiment the bream wouldnt take any lure untill we went down to 4lb as the water was very clear.

Clips also restrict the action of the lure and Ben Patrick (the guy who owns Halco) told me that there is no way he would use them. He said that you only have to change the weight of a lure by 2% to completley change the dynamics of it. I dont know how much a snap weighs compared to a sneaky 35 but I'll bet its up around 20% or more.

If the only reason you use them is beacsue its faster then thats not good I reckon. I'll bet that the difference in time between tying on a new lure and changing it over on a snap is about 10 seconds or less difference.

Stay away from clips, they lead to fear and fear leads to the dark side. Don't let your thoughts betray you young padowans.....

[Dave W]

Well said Ira, it's good to hear some on water comparisons:)

Apart from having a few open on me, the last time I used a clip on lures I lost a 50+ Bass beside the boat (that's something you WA guys are really missing out on:D ), once bitten twice shy and I've never used a clip again.

It does come down to a personal preference though - I think it's more important to be comfortable and confident in how you fish, whether you use a clip or not:)

Cheers,

[Bear]

Ok, OK I'm convinced. Going to Herrison tomorrow and you won't see a clicp in site.

All welcome to see the carnage :-)

Could do with the company. Will be there about 4:00.

[Matt Fraser]

Clips are always a contentious issue!! I've also lost the odd fish due to snap problems over the years, most were due to poor clip selection on my part and once or twice due to poor quality swivels on snaps. But I still use them in most hardbody lurefishing applications, because they are easy to use and I have faith in the ones I use now.

In reply to what you are saying about the snap changing a lures swimming action Ira. I agree with you, but it sometimes changes it for the better. It can change a floating lure to have neutral bouyancy, and a neutral bouyancy lure to a sinker, particularly with small bream lures. This can be an advantage when sinking lures into snags or suspending them in a fishes face. As you would know changing hook sizes or styles can do the same thing, but can lead to hooks fouling.

I haven't done a huge amount of bream luring with hardbodies yet, but my experience on Bass and Barra hasn't put me off using them yet.

I agree with the fact that the fish can probably see them in clear water, but they can see everything else clearer as well. Is a small snap going to make a difference?

It definitely comes down to confidence in what you are using and each to his own. I'm just sticking up for the snap brigade.

cheers
Matt :)

[luringbream]

I've never been interested in clips, i mostly use the perfection loop and it proves results. I don't get why anyone could put clips at the front of their lures, won't it make it look a bit spookier and less action through the water?? I don't know much about them and i'm pretty happy with the loop so i'll stick the loop.

DAN

[Daniel_Folley]

i agree with dan on that one in my opinion i have used a perfection loop a lot more now as when i was using a clip i was not catching as much fish and i think that they spook the fish a bit.so all the time i now use a loop.

[Mischievious]

Hey guys, i was just wondering what colour soft plastics work in certain types of waters? like if it was murky water, what would i use? And which ones are the best to buy?

[Bustlinbarry]

G'Day, What sort of knot do you prefer to attach your clips with?
L8tr
Barry

[Daniel_Folley]

hi mischievious
in clear water i find that natural colours work best like pumpkiseeds and motor oils.
when in clear water i like to use a lighter jighead and a brighter plastic like a chartruse or maybe an amber or muscadine colour.
well that has worked for me it might not be the same for anyone else.
you should try and experiment with something you could stumble across something that works well for you.

[Matt Fraser]

Originally posted by Bustlinbarry
G'Day, What sort of knot do you prefer to attach your clips with?
L8tr
Barry

G'day Barry,
I use a locked blood knot. Just to clarify some earlier info- I use the clips in dirty water situations, where I'm using up to 17lb leader around the racks. So I dont think the fish are able to see too much,, unlike in the clear water in WA

Matt

I've always used small crossovers and more recently used Mustard fly clips, so far I haven't had any failures.

Some of the comments I've read seem to cedit bream with extrodinary intelligence.

IE: will take prawns without a hook and 1kg line, but won't take them with. Could it just be today they aren't hitting this lure today but tomorrow they do syndrome.
Becuase they would hit lures on 4lbs but not heavier.

Lure weight Sneaky 33.4 grains (There are 7000 grains to a pound).Small crossover 0.8 grains 41.7 times less.If my maths are correct thats about 2%.

Just a thought when the hooks are changed up or down a size
size 10 Daichi 2 grains
size 12 Mustards 4 grains
Smallest oval split ring 0.8 grains
Round split ring off sneaky 0.8 grains

Does changing a lures charateristics really matter, remember Bushy created a sneaky modifying the original slow sinker.I modify lots of lures to make them act how I want.

Another point to ponder, when the lure is being towed(When the most action is occuring) the slight weight increase has neglegable effect(And can be countered by altering the hook/split ring size), When the lure is stationary it's attitude is determined by it's weighting, I prefer mine to sit horizontally while rising slowly.

My favorite lure Rapala Rap Shad when retrieved very slowly looks like a real fish, this lure has caught me over 100 fish, and has been modified with a smaller rear treble and swims with a slight nose down attitude, as I rarely pause this lure during the retrieve making changes by cranking and small twitches of the tip.

My outing last saturday saw me snagged 3 times using 4lb fire line with bimini double tied to half a metre of 6.2 kg Platyl flurocarbon leader, tied to the largest Mustard fly clip with a quarter once Squiddie lead head. I decided to break off and re rig so I grabbed the spool and walked backwards straightening the hook, the clip was in perfect condition.

I like clips and it would be very hard to say one way is right or wrong(Clips vs Knots) just apply some thought to the situation and keep experimenting till somthing works and remember tomorrow is another day and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow