Trouble with HBs

Southie_Fisher · #1 09-05-2011, 11:37 PM

Hey guys,
I have been using a range of HB's and been really lacking in fish compared to SP's. The only fish that have fallen to HB were a few tiddlers under a boat hull to an SX40. I generally use a Loop knot to help the motion of the lure. Any advice on where I should be spinning them, things to look for, and any other techniques I may not be considering would be a lot of help.
I generally have been using a slow roll with the odd twitch, which like I said has only got me a few very small fish.
Southie_Fisher

forsterfisho · #2 09-05-2011, 11:44 PM

Hi Southie,

There could be a million reasons to as to why your not catching fish. Perhaps the first question to answer is are the fish there in the first place? It may sound silly but you can't catch fish that arent there.
I have limited experiance with boat hulls but it seems to be a bit of a hit and miss affair, some days they are there and some days they arent.
Have you tried fishing around weedbeds, sand flats, rockwalls, rock bars, jetty's or oyster leases? There are some other options to think about.
In regards to your retrieve; perhaps retrieve the lure even slower. A wise old soul once told me to start off slow and then slow down a bit more.

The sx40 is a very popular lure indeed, personally I've caught pretty much diddly squat on them. Maybe its time to grow your collection to other brands?

ginga ninja · #3 10-05-2011, 12:10 AM

hi southie fisher.
personally, I have found softies are more effective but hardbody's defiantly have their place. firstly, make sure you are using a light enough leader. my go to leader is 6lb but people go as light as 3lb when fishing on flats and other area's were there isn't much structure. as for the structure you fish, like forsterfisho said, weedbeds, snadflats, racks, jetties and oyster leases are great areas to throw hardbodys around. also try bridge pylons and swim the lure back with the current past the pylons. the two main retrieves I use are a slow roll and the twitch and pause. with the slow roll, if you get a hit but no hook up don't strike as this will often spook the school or the fish following. as for the twitch and pause retrieve, a couple of small twitches (~15-20cm each) and then a fairly long pause of about 5 or 7 seconds. this allows the bream to have a good look at the lure and hopefully eat it.
hope this helps mate

fisho fanatic3 · #4 10-05-2011, 10:55 PM

+1

Fishing24/7 · #5 11-05-2011, 01:12 AM

I find that an easy way is just to slow roll lures like chubbies over shallow flats and also slow rolling the deep versions along rocky areas with some pauses and twitches but sometimes I find that just a slow consistant roll works best.

Steve Morgan · #6 11-05-2011, 04:38 AM

The SX40 will catch plenty. I only successfully crank boat hulls if it's really rough - especially in clear water.

Generally, fish then in water so shallow you can see the bottom. Fish the windy side. Fish broad areas when it's overcast or windy. Fish specific structure when it's sunny and/or calm.

Fish them on fluorocarbon. 4lb will get you bit. 3lb will get you bit more and 2lb will get you the most bites. Up to you to land 'em. Don't use loop knots with fc. Anything 6lb and under, tie it straight to the lure.

When you get bit, just keep winding at the same pace until the rod loads up.

That's about it. Definitely not rocket science!

SM

Southie_Fisher · #7 11-05-2011, 07:23 AM

Great advice here from more seasoned bream anglers then myself. I'll put these ideas to the test and will report the out come.