Paul Chen Micro Jigging Report: Leaving Taka ramp later then usual at 8am instead of our 6am yesterday. And already it was a tight squeeze to fit Ians massive trailer into the few remaining trailer parks down there. Our decision to depart later then normal was due to the changeable forecast out there that has confused the normally reliable Swellmap to pinpoint an exact weather window. Still once past the Noises it was a snotty 0.8m chop out there all the way to E of Anchorite. Close, sharp and short sea way that wouldnt allow Ian to let the 250 ponies loose. Nothing on the sounder and other then a random fast moving workup we spotted off Gannet Rock. This workup had those pronging dolphins in among the baitschool as they devoured their brunch. However it was a desert down there. Closing in on Channel Island there was more bird activity and signs of life below but still that cool SW breeze with that shitty chop. Not conducive for drift fishing or trying to work a metal lure on the bottom without a massive parachute drogue out. I didnt muck around with any light jigs in those mid morning workups and resorted to using a blue 200gm Zest curved slider jig on my light nano katana Jigstar setup. This rod is rated 100 - 300gms jigs on PE2 - 5 braid. For me its just easier to manage in a fast drift and to gather some meat n potatoes in the frenzy. After filling the bin I could now focus on some refined light tackle jigging. Using my Certate 2013 loaded with 6lb braid and with a 1.5m length of 16lb Ocea fluorocarbon leader PR knotted on I attached a green 55gm Shimano Colt Sniper on the end. Casting this lure ahead of the drift it descended into the 45m depth we were fishing in the aftermath of that workup. Amuses me with this style of light tackle jigging you can let these lures do there own thing by allowing them to do their own tantric dance on the drop. But keeping alert for either that weightless sensation when they get inhaled on the drop or the sudden line acceleration from a more hungry character that was probably in competition for your jig on the drop. Either way its critical to maintain contact with these jigs on the drop. A little bit more challenging on a fixed spool spinning setup but still doable to spring that bail arm over pronto and wind out the slack. Fast! This 6lb braid setup with a Saltiga spin medium action rod is divine to use in these situations. The end folds away quickly soaking up that initial flurry of panic as the fish flees with the smooth drag set on 2kgs. Its just fun to experience the rod curve in conjunction with a fixed spool drag on song. The other methodology for fishing these small centre weighted asymmetrically shaped jigs is in long fall. Simply raising your rod overhead and lowering it again to create the flutter of a falling leaf which draws fish to your imitation of a crippled bait fish. Or, on still days just leave them alone to trickle across the seafloor. Im still constantly amazed that sometimes less is best for a jigging input. Bite times this weekend will be great for Sat that sofar coincides with a favorable Swellmap forecast. And an average one for Sun when that poxy wind reappears. Top Catch is serious about water safety for you and your family. In conjunction with Coastguard and Hutchwilco we have put an incredible safety package together. Plus this evening we got a free seminar at Top Catch Takapuna starting at 7pm. Well have Hutchwilco here to talk briefly about life jacket maintenance, fit and the new by laws. This will then be followed up by Coastguard covering their safety info service, trip reports, bar crossing and their new smartphone app. Plus our special Coastguard membership and any 3 deals well have available tonight. And extra specials on EPIRBs and flares. We also have permission to let off some expired flares. Join us for some beers tonight at 50 Barrys Point Rd, Takapuna. Paul Chen
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:11:25 +0000
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