Fishing Tips and Techniques

• Berkley Soft Baits
  Good afternoon, Referring to "Berkley Soft Baits", I read in the latest issue of the Fishing Gazette that these baits (crabs, worms, etc.) are excellent to use and any questions should be referred too Basil Manning. I'm a rock & surf angler and not sure how these artificial baits will perform in the rock & surf application. Are they mainly aimed at the "fly fishing" market, or will they perform when used for normal rock & surf applications? Should they be used together with natural baits, or just it alone?
  Hope you will be able to assist with my questions.
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• Breakaway Bionic Finger
  I have tried a number of retail tackle shops for a breakaway bionic finger without success, and could not really find sufficient information on the internet for a decision to acquire one.  I have been informed that you are the importer. Could you please supply me with more information regarding the effectiveness of the gadget and retail price if possible.
  
  
  
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• Drop Shot in and around Durban
  Hi! I have been drop shot fishing for the past 3 - 4 months and I still haven't caught anything. I have tried the entire range that you guys have and still no luck. I bought 3 different drop shot outfits and still nothing. Please help with info regarding drop shoting in and around durban bay, north pier and surrounds as well as the best times to fish the drop shot.
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• Drop Shot in Keimouth
  Hi, I am going to Keimouth this coming holidays. I will appreciate it if you can supply me with information on dropshot fishing in that part of the country. I am still new at this discipline of angling and would like to gain more info on issues such as tackle, lures, best places to fish, techniques, etc.
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• Drop Shot in Knysna

  I am heading down to Knysna for a house boat trip the first week of November. I would like to know your recommendations on drop shot- what baits, colours and method of retrieve. In addition the best areas to throw plugs for Garrick- your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

  
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• Drop Shot Method
  Interesting reading on the dropshot technique. From what I have been reading in general, dropshot is simply tying the hook to the line so it's point faces upward and then clinching a suitable weight at the selected depth below the hook. But locally, dropshot seems to refer to the weight on the hook jig. Obviously the powerjig setup works but I am interested if you use the other method too. I intend to try this out over new year.
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• First Time Drop Shot Fishing
  I am a bass fisherman but i am going to Ponta d'Oro in December and I’m interested in trying dropshot. I don’t have a rod, reel, or tackle what would you recommend? I also don’t know where to fish and what to look for, any ideas? This is obviously going to be my first time doing this so any other info would be great. I have been watching ESA and this dropshot seems to be a lot of fun.
  
  
  
  
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• Fishing in Mozambique

  I have a few questions to ask about fishing in Mocambique I hope you can help me with.

  Where is the best place to catch fish?  What diameter line should we use for the surf as well as on our dropshot rods, steel traces, leader lines, etc.?  What would you recommend in drop shot rod lengths, actions and reels?  Type of bait, live bait (size and type), drop shot baits, sardines, spoons, rapalas, poppers, sizes, etc.?  Any help with fishing techniques (deep, shallow, trace lengths, art lures, flies (deep, fast or slow)?  Fly fishing (floating or sinking)?  Recommendations on deep sea fishing charters?  Best time to fish (high or low tide)?  Types of hooks and sinker sizes?  Any regulations and rules regarding fishing in Mocambique (fish sizes, bag limits, etc).?
  
  
  
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• Garrick Fishing
  Thank you for your reply, it certainly does help. I have 3 further
   queries I was hoping you could assist me with. Firstly, is it worthwhile using
   flourocarbon for Garrick. Most people have said to stick to Maxima
   Ultragreen (knot strength). Secondly, regarding livebait clips. How do you
   actually feel when the Garrick takes? Does it create a bow in the line,
   and must you give slack while he takes and wait a little to wind on and
   set the hook? Lastly, is the bay (when shad are there at Vidal) a good spot
   to try a plug? Thank you very much for all the help. Hopefully I can put
   it to good use to catch my first Garrick.
  
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• Knots
  What knot must I use to tie my braid backing & mainline(.55 Kingfisher Giant Abrasion) together?I’ve looked on the web but am not able to find anything. Where can I get a diagram of how to tie the knot?
   
  What weather sites do you guys use to see what’s going on?
  If you’re talking about greys that came out at Shakas then I assume that it’s the juveniles hey? What would the preferred bait be, mackerel head on a casting trace? Can you give me some more info on Shakas, like where do you fish and how far do you need to cast?
  Baits that work well???
  
  
  
  
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• Live Mullet Trace
  What would the most practical way be to slide a live mullet, i.t.o rigging the hooks and trace length ? We have tried a few methods but would like your opinion.
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• Shark Traces
  Barry, I am making up my first shark trace. I am connecting the leader to my main line with a figure 8 knot. Is this correct? According to one of your guys the leader (150lb) must be 9 metres long. Should it realy be that long? From here I am connecting 1 metre nylon covered steel trace (2 hooks) with a figure 8 knot to the leader. Is this correct? Then I connect the the slide ring with a figure 8 knot.  From the slide ring I connect the sinker with a lower strenght nylon than my main line. Correct?
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• Sliding Bait Tips
  What are the tricks / techniques that will help with sliding a bait successfully.
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• Stuck Rod
  Have problem trying to dismantle rod - stuck in joint. How do I overcome this?
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• Techniques for NonReturn and Sliding Clips
  When targeting Garrick and large Kob on the non-return and free sliding clip, what technique would you recommend? Should I use a little bit of thin steel as bite?  What mm steel would you recommend, 0.90 or a single strand American fishing wire close to the hooks in case of Couta then with a allbright knot do I join 0.80mm flouro carbon and then my slide clip? Where would you hook the live bait, one through the top lip and the other just through the skin by the belly or back, or both along the spine? Obviously not tampering or killing the fish, but sometimes the live bait comes loose in that method, so one through the top lip, is that not better being more sturdy?
  
  
  
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• Tips for Garrick Fishing in Cape Vidal
   I’m heading up to Cape Vidal at the end of August. Could you please advise me on the better methods and spots to target Garrick off the beach, particularly regarding sliding or casting the live baits, and which clips to use (livebait clip, not non return?). I’m told the bay itself is quite a good spot
  
  
  
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Rods

• Rust Discolouration
  I am interested in buying an Assassin Beach Master (ABM) rod, but a friend of mine tells me that the eyelets on his ABM started showing signs of rust. Is this possible - I have not seen the rod myself, but do not think that he would lie. He resides in the Mossel Bay area and fishes regularly.
  
  
  
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• Assassin Lenghths
  I possess the medium assassin, blue in colour. The total length is over 14foot. I was thinking that for flexibility that there are situations where I will only need a shorter rod like with only 2 pieces. This could be achieved by making the middle part the base piece or perhaps provide a very short joiner (say 6inch) to connec the tip part with the base piece. Have you thought of doing this? What do you think? I think providing a short joiner will be the cheaper and easier option but not sure of performance. I live in Perth, Western Australia 
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• Beach Master technical specifications
  I HAVE RECENTLY ENQUIRED ABOUT THE BEACH MASTER AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WEATHER YOU COULD FORWARD THE TECHNICAL SPECS OF THE ROD TO ME. AS WELL AS WHETHER THE ROD IS ALSO HMG OR NOT. 
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• Best Rod for Sliding
  Hi. I would like to know if a one-piece or a three-piece rod is best for sliding bait. I fished in a competition during the past week-end and was advised to get myself a one piece for sliding as the vigorous to and fro motion employed during sliding will put wear on the joints. Which of the rods in your arsenal do you recommend? I have joined a club and want to do competitive angling. At the moment I have a three piece 8 oz rod which I use for sliding.
  
  
  
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• Blade Numbered Tip Sections
  Hi I am interested in purchasing a "standard" blade and would like to know about the different "numbered" tip sections and how the numbering works. I would also like you to suggest a tip that would suit my application. I will be using the rod for targeting bigger fish (sharks and skates) and will always be casting sinkers from 8oz to 10oz. I have fished with a Blade HMG with a 0.5 tip and found it to cast very well. However playing and landing fish constantly, proved to be quite strenuous.
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• Difference betweeen Beachmaster and Med Assassin
  I'm looking to decide between a Beachmaster and a medium Assassin. Please could you spell out the pros and cons of each for me, and what fish are generally targeted by each.
  
  
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• Difference between Assassin Rods
  I believe you guys have a new rod on the market..."Beach Master" What's diff about it compared to the medium and the heavy?...any pics of it? Regards Waheeb
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• Info on Assassin Rods
  Can you please send me info on your Assassin rods. I fish in the U.A.A for King, Cobia, Grouper or any big fish I can catch. I need a rod that can cast a live bait at least 120 to 150 meters. if you could also inform me of reels that would be suitable for your rods.
   
  
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• Information about the Blade
  Hi, I need more info about the Assassin Blade in standard. How many tips are there for the rod.Please could you describe them in detail
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• Maintenance of Rod Joints
   My Assassin medium is now 7 years old and has seen a bit of use. The joints are getting a bit long in the tooth and a rather sloppy fit has resulted. How do I go about building them up? 
  
  
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• Rod Repairs
  .I NEED SOME ADVICE ON MY BEACHMASTER. THE MEDIUM TIP SLIDES IN AND OUT PERFECTLY, BUT THE HEAVY TIP NOT.I MEASURED THE THICKNESS AND THE DEPTH UNTILL THE TIP IS STUCK AND HERES THE RESULTS . MEDIUM 14.18MM DEPTH 89MM HEAVY 14.29MM DEPTH 79MM AS YOU CAN SEE THE HEAVY TIP IS 0.11MM THICKER AND IT SLIDES IN 10MM LESS THAN THE MEDIUM TIP .CAN I TAKE WATERPAPER AND SAND IT DOWN TO THE REQUIRED THICKNESS ? I DONT WANT TO USE OIL, BECAUSE THE MEDIUM TIP FITS PERFECTLY. 
  
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Destinations

• Cape Vidal Fishing
  I'm off to Cape Vidal beginning April and have only fished there once. Walked a couple km's north and only got a few edibles, what areas should I look at targeting non-edibles?
  
  
  
  
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• Fishing in Cape Vidal and St Lucia
  We are going to Cape Vidal and St Lucia next week. Please can you supply info on: 1. Where to do drop shot fishing at both Vidal and St Lucia? 2. What is happening at St Lucia regarding the estuary, is it still open? Are fish on the bite in that area? Thanks
  
  
  
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• Good Spots Around Barra lodge
  I have contacted you previously regarding my trip up to Mozambique over the December holidays. I will be in Inhambane , staying at Barra Lodge . From  your experience, are there any good ledges, or dropoffs that I would be able to find some success with dropshot, plugs, spoons , that can be fished of the shore/rocks . . Apparently the area around Tofu and Tofinho has some good spots . Any spot in particular that I should try . Obviously , kingies would be the main target species . Also , is the entrance to the Inhambane estuary any good and are the sandy dropoffs any good for the smaller kingies/pelagics  on dropshot .Lastly , I have a few Aubrey da Gama plugs . Will these suffice for Mozambique , or should I also buy some of the teflon ones (GT ice creams). With regards to spoons , what kinds should I go for . I will be fishing them of my dropshot and surf gear as well .
  
  
  
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Reels

• Drop Shot Tackle
  I have just starting dropshot fishing, what tackle would you recommend - fishing rod and reel. At the moment I am looking at an Okuma reel and Loomis rod.
  
  
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• Reccomendation for spinning Reels
  Hi, I have a Beachmaster with a Trinidad 30 reel. Great rod! Great reel! Currently we do primarily rock and surf and I would however like to get into spinning (spoons, plugs, rapalas). I have tried with the Beachmaster with the medium tip fitted a nd it just does not feel "right". The spoons/plugs/rapalas are just not heavy enough to cast effectively. I am thinking of getting a Beachmaster Lite to spin with seeing that it can handle the lighter weights much better, and my wife is starting to get interested in fishing as well :) , so I will possibly be killing two birds with one stone.
  
  Is my thinking flawed ? What reel should I use with the lite ? Will the Trinidad 30 work well with the Lite? My wife has problems with a conventional (multiplier) reel, so she would need a spinning reel. Which would you recommend?
  I also thought about whether you have a light tip for the beachmaster, as that might be an option as well ???
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