[Kiwi]

Hi guys
I need help! I've just been given some soft plastic worms and craw imitations. Problem is that soft plastics have only just started to be fished in this country (New Zealand), so there isn't anyone here up to speed on on how to fish them properly. Are there any helpful tutorials or websites online, or anyone care to explain the basics to me.
All help appreciated.
Thanks
Kiwi

[Fireball Lures]

Well I would say it depends on the structure or type of water you will be fishing give me some more info on your favorite fishing spot and I will see what I can come up with.

Nathan

[Fireball Lures]

Well I would say it depends on the structure or type of water you will be fishing give me some more info on your favorite fishing spot and I will see what I can come up with.

Nathan

[Kiwi]

Hi Nathan
Thanks for the reply. The lakes I fish have quite heavy cover, lots of weed, tree stumps etc. The species I fish for the most is a type of Perch that sits in cover and ambushes its prey. So you have to fish right in next to the cover and try not to get hung up.
Hope this helps.
Thanks again
Kiwi

-Have attached a picture of a couple of these Perch taken on a handmade lure by my seven year old daughter - check out the bottom of their tails, they're worn down because they use them to dig under rock ledges to catch the crawfish underneath

[Big Splash]

That sounds like an excellent place to use soft plastic lures! Do these fish bite 'hard' enough to use weedless hooking methods?

[Kiwi]

Hi Big Splash
I don't know if they would bite hard enough. They strike hard but they have very large mouths for their size and they just kind of inhale the bait instead of biting it like a trout. Using hardbaits you catch them in the lip/mouth but fishing with live baits they are nearly always hooked in the throat or gut, if it fits in their mouth they just suck it straight down.
What sort of rigs can you use to prevent getting hung up in the weeds?
Thanks
Kiwi

[Big Splash]

Sounds like an ideal situation for weedless rigged plastics. I've been going through some of the links provided in the replies above, there is a lot of good info there. I think you should be able to use any of the methods used for Bass in the US to catch your fat perch in N.Z.

[trickworm]

Hi Kiwi,

Those fish of yours sound alot like American Bass as far as their habitat and feeding habits.

Try this: Go to the Zoom website and order about 12 packs of assorted plastics.They uaually come 10-15 to a pack. Try to get 6 in various trickworms, Speed Vibes, Curly Tails and Finesse. Then get 6 packs of lizards, craws, and flukes. About 12 packs in all. Will cost you about $50.00 (US) with shipping.

They are at: http://www.zoombaits.com/

Then go to BassPro:

http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet...hvarAID=befree

Get some plastic worm hooks in sizes 2.0 3.0 to 5.0
I recommend "Gamakatsu and Mustad" brands.


Go to this website: http://www.bassresource.com/html/plasticworms.html


and read about how to rig these plastics and fish them.

Let me know how it goes. Good luck and good fishing.

[Kiwi]

Thanks Trickworm
Appreciate the help
Kiwi

[the_hide]

Kiwi those Reddies (English Perch) look reasonably fat. My number 1 reddie bait here in Vic - Aus has to be the Charlie Brewer Muscadine Slider. They love this just slowly retrieved so its just off the bottom.