Guys, I read this article in issue 36 of the "Fishing coast to coast" magazine, and have found this article on how to fish the
Rangi Channel, and this is the way, I now catch with Softies...
- Let it sink "All the way" to the BOTTOM.
- Jiggle and DONT retrieve to FAST, bounce it of the bottom.
- Dont be in hurry to strike, you can even wait for the fish to start running with it, dont wait tooo long though. Work it out for yourself. I then lift the rod (Just short of a strike) and start reeling. Once I know I have the fish hooked, I then ensure the hook is set!
- 1/2 jig heads, and when the tide is running 5/8 - Nitro.
- "5" Jerk Shads - Gulp (Berkley) and mostly Nuclear Chicken. Once the tail is bitten off, remove and replace bait!
- Drift. Find the fish and return to the spot, by drifting over it!
- No bites, move!
- Light rod end reel (Strong Reel), braid and flurogarbon trace (+/- 2 m)
- Secret: Fish after the tide has turned for +/- 3 hours MAX.
Above is the style that has worked for me mostly, and as said, for the Rangitoto Channel, just short of the light house mainly.
Let us know if something else works better, Especially now in winter??
Grz Lee
...fish fear us softies...