Small Baits Tips for NZ Inshore Species

There is no doubt that some parts of the food chain are overlooked when it comes to fishing. Big baits (or lures) do not always equate to big fish suggests keen lure angler and kayaker Rob Fort…

Most anglers who use bait wouldn’t purchase a bag of cockabullies over pilchards, yet both have their place. It seems many smaller species can be overlooked despite being openly available for predatory fish to feed on.

An addiction to soft-bait use taught me many years ago that smaller lures can catch massive fish. It also dispelled the common myth of big bait equalling big fish. A move towards three and two-inch soft-bait sizes further reinforced this, forming an association that has been in place for well over a decade. As a result, tiny soft-baits, lures and jigs have consistently formed a large part of my fishing arsenal and have provided great results. For some anglers, this smaller fishing tackle is only just starting to be taken notice of.

Why go tiny?

Smaller fish make up an important part of the food chain and provide feed for a variety of fish species of many sizes. For some, tiny fish are just a snack which predators like snapper eat during the colder months of winter when their metabolisms slow. Certain situations, like when a barge harvests at a mussel farm, lead to smaller fish like blennies being caught up with the debris washing off the deck. This run- off forms a massive trail down-current, which predatory fish patrol as they look for a feed of tiny fish. When fishing in these situations, matching what is on offer (matching the hatch) brings a greater likelihood of success.

Tiny soft-baits, lures and jigs not only work well during colder months and the above situations but also when the fishing is slow. The smaller size may get a reaction from a fish that initially wasn’t that interested in striking.

Pelagic predators like yellowtail kingfish are a welcome catch on tiny jigs and light tackle.

How small is tiny?

The smallest of tackle can do the damage. A sabiki rig, for example, can attract the interest of a large snapper – the only problem with this, however, is that the line it is made with is much too light and will usually be busted. Even lures as small as 30mm can have a place in the arsenal. In the case of a jig, the size often determines its overall weight so anything from seven to 40g falls into the tiny category.

Big snapper love snacking on tiny bait replicas like this 28g Zest Gan jig.

Tiny styles and shapes

When considering which tiny creatures are on offer to our ocean’s predators, baitfish, crabs, shrimps and worms stand out the most. Soft-baits imitate this range of species the best out of all the commonly available tiny lures in stores. With shapes and sizes to suit nearly every situation, they provide near-perfect replicas of all the above species. Scented soft-baits are the best option as these are the most effective at catching fish. Minnows/jerk shads are the best for replicating baitfish and have enticed more than their share of snapper, and a few kingfish, too.

Small grub tails are another great option, offering that extra tail movement which makes them irresistible to many species. My personal favourite soft-bait to use when the fishing is slow and I am over sand is the Gulp! Crabby. Sometimes sending something slightly different down in front of the fish can really make the difference.

Micro jigs can also fall into the tiny category. These jigs come in various shapes and configurations that give them different actions and when worked properly, they are extremely effective.

Tiny hard-body lures are also taken by certain fish species and come in two types – bibbed and weighted. The bibbed lure dives down and swims provocatively as it’s drawn through the water. The weighted variety is designed to sink, which makes it suitable for casting; however, it can also be trolled like the bibbed version. General sizes range from three to four and a half inches and they often have a life-like shape and finish.

The three-inch minnow/jerk shad soft-bait has gained popularity since soft-baits entered the New Zealand market.

Creating the strike

In order to find success with all the above tackle, each offering must be presented in a way that is natural and to the predators’ liking. Smaller creatures tend to move erratically – baitfish, as we all know, can dart all over the place. Moving the tackle so it acts the same will give the best results and how the rod is moved will depend on the object being fished. Small soft-baits can be worked in a number of ways when cast or dropped straight down. Staying in touch with them as they descend is crucial to detecting any initial interest, and once on the sea floor they can be moved by twitching the rod tip and lifting it upwards (but not higher than forty five degrees).

When they are cast away from your position, it’s possible to work the tiny soft-bait back again by doing twitches and lifts of the rod, winding in the slack line as you drop the rod tip for the next lift. Tiny jigs can also be used in the same way and can be cast much greater distances, allowing the jig to be worked over a greater area. Jigs are equally effective when dropped directly down and can be worked by lifting the rod up fully then lowering it and allowing the jig to flutter as it falls. These jigs are designed for this style of fishing, which is known as the slow-pitch technique. The tiny micro jigs can also be worked up through the water column in a similar way. This is done by ing a quick turn of the reel’s handle, then pausing before making another wind of the handle.

Some micro jigs look so good that the fish will strike them even when sitting stationary. Lots of snapper have been caught this way, which shows just how much these smaller sizes can draw a strike. Hard body lures of both styles can also be actively fished by being cast and retrieved, and also work when trolled.

Finding success will require running them at the right speed and distance behind the vessel. Take the time to learn the best ways to present your soft-bait, jig or lure and don’t be afraid to vary your methods.

Where to use tiny tackle

There is no end to the places tiny baits can be used. With natural tiny fish found virtually everywhere there is water, any soft-baits, jigs and lures that replicate them can be utilized. This leaves the possibilities wide open – the only limit is our ability to discover and find the action. The size of your offering really does have an influence over your fishing success. Once you try the smaller sizes and put them in front of predatory fish, you’ll never look back. Changing things up can often mean changing things down, and sometimes this can be the difference needed to turn an average day into something special.