Some dams have big fish and require heavy lines to be used while creeks have smaller fish so you can use very light line and leader. Then adjust up or down depending on where you are fishing. You can start with a 4kg braid and an 8kg leader. With the main line if using a very light line you have to watch out you don’t play the fish too long or you will stress it, especially with the golden perch. If using braid it pays to have a leader of fluro carbon line. Line: Choice of braid or mono, light or heavy. Also be aware that dams and creeks have some monster rod breakers and reel destroyers in the form of large eels, fork tail catfish, turtles and huge carp. If using rods behind you in a boat make sure you get a reel with a loud ratchet. Whatever you can afford and makes you feel comfortable and confident can work. Some people like to spend a lot of money while others not so much.

For the species mentioned any brand of reel from 1000 size to 4000 could prove successful. With the quick release rod holder, when you have a fish pulling down on your line it is easier to lift your rod out of the holder in one quick upward movement. Rod Holders: Locked in type are suitable for trolling, quick release are more suitable for bait fishing. With heavier rods, it is harder to detect a bite but easier to get out of the rod holder and fight the fish. With light rods 1 to 3kg or 2 to 4kg it is easier to detect a bite but sometimes harder to get your rod out of the rod holder and play the fish. Rods: Rods are a personal choice item, some prefer spin rods others bait casters, some prefer light and others prefer heavy. Live Bait Fish: Small bait fish can be rigged by hooking the hook through the upper back area so as not to kill your bait. These can be rigged by putting the hook through the base of the wings or very lightly through the body so as not to kill the bait. Insects may include grasshoppers, dragonfly, cicadas, beetles and even spiders. Insects: Insects work well in impoundments with minimum live bait fish available. In dams where there is plenty of food like bony bream, the fish are not that keen to bite on them. Worms work well if fished over newly flooded grassy areas. Worms: One or more worms on a hook make for a juicy meal for a fish. Also it pays to remove claws as the shrimp tend to hang onto the line and won’t move to attract the fish. Do not hook through the middle of the back or the shrimp will die quick. Do not hook between segments as it makes it easier for the fish to steal the bait. Usually rigged with a hook through the third segment from the tail, allowing the shrimp to move about. Live Shrimp: This is by far the most popular of all. Some people only lure fish, some only fly fish and others only bait fish but why not enjoy them all Types of bait usedīefore gathering or using any type of bait always be aware of fisheries rules. These include but are not limited to, electric motors and sounders. These days we have modern technology to help, just like the lure fisher-persons have.

In the good old days, it was a matter of dropping bait down and waiting for a bite. These days a lot of fisher-persons bypass bait fishing and go directly to lure fishing, not realising what fun they are missing out on. This article covers basic bait fishing and is aimed at bass, golden perch and silver perch in impoundments, rivers and creeks.

Flesh water bass