The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums : Topwater lures on a budget? https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:58:03 +0000 Thu, 24 May 2012 10:17:11 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.01 360 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=78618 <![CDATA[The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : Don&#039;t be afraid to take a...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127409&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127409 Author: Ahab
Subject: 78618
Posted: 24 May 2012 at 10:17am

Don't be afraid to take a heap of little chromies and a lighter spin set for inside the reef over the flats. Cheap/easy way to go and awesome fun on the various smaller predators. I've also done well with white bucktail jigs if you can source/tie some. And softies would have to be devastating!]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 10:17:11 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127409&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127409 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : They looked so impressive that...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127389&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127389 Author: Fenien
Subject: 78618
Posted: 24 May 2012 at 9:45am

They looked so impressive that I felt like making off with them.Wink]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 09:45:18 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127389&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127389 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : PoppinTonga wrote:Out of the...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127388&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127388 Author: Men In Black
Subject: 78618
Posted: 24 May 2012 at 9:42am

Originally posted by PoppinTonga PoppinTonga wrote:

Out of the box, with no changes, River2sea and Halco products are hard to beat.  Have got some pretty good GTs on these lures.  If you are in monster country, upgrade the hooks and splits.  
Kurt... so you won't be wanting the x4 little poppers I have here that Sam did for you then...LOLLOL, I took them at the Boat show for you but we must have missed each other.... they look very impressive mate.... have told Sam I still have them so no doubt I will have to part with themCry]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 09:42:17 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127388&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127388 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : Out of the box, with no changes,...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127311&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127311 Author: PoppinTonga
Subject: 78618
Posted: 24 May 2012 at 6:57am

Out of the box, with no changes, River2sea and Halco products are hard to beat.  Have got some pretty good GTs on these lures.  If you are in monster country, upgrade the hooks and splits.  ]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 06:57:55 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1127311&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1127311 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : Hey Pal,Try a Gillies floating...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122995&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122995 Author: fishmad1
Subject: 78618
Posted: 14 May 2012 at 11:34pm

Hey Pal,

Try a Gillies floating Stick bait...I had 2 GT's a few months back on one. I think they are about 40-50 bucks back home..
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 23:34:24 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122995&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122995 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : Just remember to pack spin reels...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122994&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122994 Author: Capt Asparagus
Subject: 78618
Posted: 14 May 2012 at 11:23pm

Just remember to pack spin reels very carefully.... bale arms bend so very easily when airport gorillas chuck your bags around. I put mine, wrapped in bubble wrap.... in large clip-top boxes for safety. This is also cool as you can then use the same boxes for taking your lures out in the boats in as a tackle box. Just electric tape the boxes closed to stop them from accidentally popping open.
Also use these same boxes to take all your lures. I always take mine out of their packaging.... if you take a lot of lures as I do, then this will add crucial weight to your bags.
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 23:23:57 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122994&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122994 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : 2cold wrote: Catchelot...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122889&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122889 Author: 2cold
Subject: 78618
Posted: 14 May 2012 at 8:45pm

Originally posted by 2cold 2cold wrote:

Originally posted by Catchelot Catchelot wrote:

Have you thought about wire assists on your jigs as everything over there has teeth.

Also think about a few Rapala type lures for trolling around the reefs to.

Was in a FCO shop yesterday they had $20-$40 Stickbaits and Poppers in packets, if that is what you are after change the split rings and hooks if you are serious... dependant on budget.

Even think about single hooks as you are in tiger countryOuch

Yep got ****loads of wire assists for the trip and will definitely rig a few poppers with singles Thumbs Up
Have a few Halco Lasers to take up too but not really keen on doing that much trolling around- not really my thing (although I'm sure that will change if other things aren't working).
I'll have a look on the FCO website and check them out- I see Torpedo7 is having a pretty sweet sale at the moment too
Just read your reply too Alan, I guess my best bet is to pack as much different stuff as I possibly can into my suitcase and just use my carry on luggage for my clothes etc LOL I'm guessing it's 80lb gear minimum for the jigging up there? Any ideas on jig weights, shapes etc? Is it okay to take a big rod tube (maybe 2) on the plane to Aitutaki?
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 20:45:24 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122889&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122889 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : Catchelot wrote: Have you...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122886&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122886 Author: 2cold
Subject: 78618
Posted: 14 May 2012 at 8:37pm

Originally posted by Catchelot Catchelot wrote:

Have you thought about wire assists on your jigs as everything over there has teeth.

Also think about a few Rapala type lures for trolling around the reefs to.

Was in a FCO shop yesterday they had $20-$40 Stickbaits and Poppers in packets, if that is what you are after change the split rings and hooks if you are serious... dependant on budget.

Even think about single hooks as you are in tiger countryOuch

Yep got ****loads of wire assists for the trip and will definitely rig a few poppers with singles Thumbs Up
Have a few Halco Lasers to take up too but not really keen on doing that much trolling around- not really my thing (although I'm sure that will change if other things aren't working).
I'll have a look on the FCO website and check them out- I see Torpedo7 is having a pretty sweet sale at the moment too
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 20:37:06 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122886&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122886 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : 2cold wrote:Cheers that...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122883&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122883 Author: alan syme
Subject: 78618
Posted: 14 May 2012 at 8:32pm

Originally posted by 2cold 2cold wrote:

Cheers that is all awesome info, just the sort of stuff I was looking for Thumbs Up 

Yea we are well aware of the dangers of the reef break on Aitutaki, one of the boats we will be using up there my old man has just put a new engine on it after the owners got caught by a wave and washed upside down over the reef- sounds like they were very lucky by all accounts. yep happened not long ago, they hooked up and did not see the wave coming until too late, not the first time and will not be the last either. makes for intense fishing!

We may be staying a night or two with the Bishops on Aitutaki while we do a bit of work on the cruise boats and have been offered a couple of trips with Seka (unsure of spelling, he catches the fish for their lagoon cruise meals I think) doing the offshore thing so I think it will be pretty much solely casting lures the rest of the time. 

Just a couple more questions (last ones I promise LOL ). Is there much in the way of Dogtooth Tuna? yes they are there, hard to find at times, other times ready to bite, jigging is the best way to target them aside from spearing. jason will show you where to go. not really a fish commonly caught on or near surface here Would love to get one of those on a jig or popper.

Has anyone really tried jigging up there? yes plenty of guys, not many boats have good jigging gear so bring your own, not many boats have good sounders so it makes for hard work probing the depths hoping to hook up with no idea if there are fish there or not before hand. sharks can be a problem in aitutaki when jigging, jason will take you to the best spots for jigging, quite deep 80 - 100m plus. i have jigged there on my last trip at easter, but did not get a hit so went back to the poppers and gts. have tried jigging several times at raro, yet to get a hit from anything of note so far. Am also very keen to chase anything and everything on the jigs but unsure what sort of areas to look for.

Finally, what sort of depths are the FADs in? 1000m to 1500m deep  Would it be worth dropping jigs and throwing poppers/stickbaits around these for the likes of tuna/mahimahi/wahoo? yes, light leaders needed due to water clarity at the fads.

Cheers again, am buzzing about this trip already and it's still a month and a half away LOL wahoo season when you are visiting (winter)


sorry to contradict some of your advice given here in good faith catchalot, but i have a few different thoughts to these, i'm not being rude just offerring a different opinion based on my personal learnings..............but good to get different viewpoints

Have you thought about wire assists on your jigs as everything over there has teeth. only needed if targeting wahoo/dogtooth, don't use if targeting gts or tuna etc on jigs

Also think about a few Rapala type lures for trolling around the reefs to. yep, halco lasers are the local favourite as they can hold true at fast speeds

Was in a FCO shop yesterday they had $20-$40 Stickbaits and Poppers in packets, if that is what you are after change the split rings and hooks if you are serious... dependant on budget.

Even think about single hooks as you are in tiger countryOuch owner trebles are better for these types of lures on these species targeted imho!
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 20:32:29 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122883&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122883 <![CDATA[Topwater lures on a budget? : Have you thought about wire...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122812&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122812 Author: Catchelot
Subject: 78618
Posted: 14 May 2012 at 6:33pm

Have you thought about wire assists on your jigs as everything over there has teeth.

Also think about a few Rapala type lures for trolling around the reefs to.

Was in a FCO shop yesterday they had $20-$40 Stickbaits and Poppers in packets, if that is what you are after change the split rings and hooks if you are serious... dependant on budget.

Even think about single hooks as you are in tiger countryOuch
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 18:33:00 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78618&PID=1122812&title=topwater-lures-on-a-budget#1122812