For those who use them, it will come as no great surprise to discover that Black Magic Tackle has designed and distributes nine different models of flasher rigs that are perfect for catching snapper — as well as many other species.

Why is this? Could it be the flash? Could it be the colour combinations? Could it be the luminous bead — or maybe the dab of bright fluorescent paint above each hook? Maybe it’s the fact that these rigs catch fish used with and without bait, and that anglers can try several different types of bait at one time? Or even that the tough trace is snooded directly onto chemically sharpened hooks for excellent hook-sets? Maybe it’s the movement of the flashers’ material fibres?

Obviously the answer lies somewhere between these many possibilities, but it’s also highly likely that their lethal effectiveness comes as a result of a combination of these factors. So let’s examine these rigs a little more closely.

Initially, these flasher-type rigs came about because the smaller imported bait-fly rigs worked so well. Black Magic recognised the possibilities and put a lot of time and effort into isolating the various triggers that make fish bite.

Bite triggers

Colour: Contrary to popular opinion, fish can actually see colours, but in a different way to us. By using a few well-proven colour combinations in addition to some innovative new ones, Black Magic has been able to cater to nearly every snapper’ taste.

Flash: The colours are enhanced by materials that also give off a lot of flash. Flash equates to baitfish in the aquatic world, and that means ‘come and eat me’ to predators.

Movement: Wriggle can be a key element when enticing snapper to eat. The natural movement of the fly material can be increased by the angler working the flies or simply by the boat’s natural rocking motion (great for anyone who likes to leave rods in holders!). If the line moves, so do the flies.

Luminescence: When the lights go out deep down, it helps to have the ‘food’ lit up. A luminescent ‘Super Lumo’ bead helps to attract big curious predators over for a closer look and often encourages them to bite.

Fluorescence: Fluorescence occurs naturally in all sorts of marine creatures and is widely believed to be an effective feeding trigger. It’s no accident that the flies have red fluorescent bindings that glow through the trace snoods!

Chemically sharpened hooks: When hooks are this sharp and as strong as Wasabi (used to make ‘Shrimp’, ‘Baitfish’, ‘Squidly’, ‘Bleeding Pilchard’ flashers, as well as ‘Lumo’, ‘Mackerel’, ‘Herring’, and ‘Pilchard’ in the ‘Enticer’ family), they stay hooked. The ‘Snapper Snatcher’ is currently an exception, using famous Black Magic KL hooks for easy hook-ups — but don’t choke up their gape with bait and don’t strike — let fish pull down and hook themselves in the corner of the mouth, or very slowly lift the rod as the weight comes on.

Tough trace: With all the abuse that flies receive from fish teeth and rugged terrain, they need to be tied to strong, tough trace. Fortunately Black Magic ‘Hard Trace’ that is ideal for this purpose. A Lewy knot helps keep the branches and flies away from the rig’s main line at the same time retaining maximum strength.

Good design: The flies don’t catch up on one another and are not prone to twisting around the rest of the rig. As the sinker is on the bottom, the rig is less likely to snag-up and the flies/baits stay well exposed and very obvious. Bites are easy to feel.

‘Bait kindly’: Despite being effective without bait, New Zealand-made Black Magic flies are even better with it, because scent is a very important trigger. Try using different baits on the same rig, but make sure they’re all slim and easy to swallow. Half-pilchards, shellfish and strips of squid and skipjack tuna (‘bonito’) are worthwhile options. And even when the bait is nibbled off, fish often eat the flies!

Added tips

1) Try using just two or three flies for surfcasting. In particular, the Bleeding Pilchard rig is made for casting from the shore and is IGFA legal.

2) Using superbraid [PE, GSP] lines will enhance your success when fishing deep down or in places that are subject to a lot of current.

3) Use a streamlined sinker with the flies to help avoid unnecessarily snagging up. A sinker that is a little too heavy is preferable to one that is too light because it is in the snapper angler’s interest to stay near the bottom.

4) The foam holder is included with the rig so that the flies can be rewound in an orderly fashion for use next time, so use it!