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Softbaiting for Beach Fishing

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    Posted: 18 Mar 2024 at 9:35pm
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Hi All,

My husband is so competitive and likes to make me feel foolish when it comes to fishing.

I really want to try soft bait fishing from the beach but he has laughed at me telling me it's impossible and I'm only going to annoy all the other fishermen.

I have heard and read about it being possible to catch some good size snapper using soft bait off the beach. Given that I am at his mercy when it comes to fishing gear I want to venture out and get my own softbait and jigs. I've tried researching on line but it's overwhelming.

Please can you help me figure out the best SB and jig to get to prove I can do this?

Thank you so much

Desperate Fish Wife
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2024 at 6:08am
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Moderator - Ninja
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Hi Te, what gear do you have, or intend to use? It certainly is possible but it would be a lot of work. Kahawai are generally an easier fish to target. Either way, it is possible.
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2024 at 8:42am
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It can be done, but it's not the easiest thing to achieve!

Things that come to mind:

- Long soft baiting rod for long casts, 8 - 10 feet. In reality, this is quite a specialist bit of kit and it may be hard to track down anything longer than 8 feet in NZ. It will need to cast 1oz.

- Braid 100% I'd go as light as possible for long casts. 15lb or less. You'll need to learn to tie a good braid to leader knot.

- Reel. Nothing too heavy as you may be doing a lot of casts! Maybe size 4000 in the Japanese brands.

- Soft baits. Definitely have some Gulp to hand. The scent may seal the deal for you. That said, sometimes the fish are more in to action, so a few ZMan paddle tails might be useful.

- Technique. You'll be bouncing the soft bait over sand. A straight retrieve is not best for snapper because the soft bait will ride up in the water away from the sea bed and fish. A very slow retrieve dragging the lure over the sand works sometimes though.

- If you can SAFELY wade, that will add to the amount of water you can cover.  That said, I've caught snapper on soft baits in less than 1 metre of water, so anything is possible!  

- Fish gullies and any other features that you come across just like the bait fishos.  I would suggest a wild surf beach that's getting smashed by big waves is not the place to try this when starting out.

You've set yourself a big challenge, but it sounds fun. Good luck!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2024 at 1:47pm
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Also, find a better husband!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote lawabidingpoacher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2024 at 6:14pm
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If you use standard surfcasting rig and use the squid / octopus type soft baits on the hook with a small amount of bait it will work for you . You may need to tie on with some bait cotton
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2024 at 9:03am
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Originally posted by MB MB wrote:

Also, find a better husband!
Big smile yeah , my 1st thought . He sounds a bit insecure ........you may be closer to humiliating him than you realise LOL.
Have you seen the "bleeder " type soft baits . These have a small cavity that you can fill with some sort of smelly attractant that "bleeds" out. I have flounder , prawn and octopus looking baits .  good luck
I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote rowboat bob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2024 at 9:43pm
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There are heaps of vids online of Aussies soft baiting off the beach. They seem to be using 9 to 10 foot rods . 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2024 at 11:15pm
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You might be better fishing off the rocks where you can cast into deeper waters.

Micro jigs might be a better way to go, they cast better and many of them are designed for casting off the rocks. Look at the Savage Jigs

https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/micro-jigs/savage-gear-psycho-sprat-micro-jig-zebra-glow-45g-04-blue
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