Cam Fishing - Guide to freshwater lures

by Cameron Jones.

PART 5 SOFT PLASTICS

Soft plastic lures are as close as one can get to the real deal, offering movement, taste and the feel of the natural. Although widely accepted for use in the salt, they are slowly gaining momentum amongst freshwater anglers for bass, golden perch and Murray cod. Like the spinnerbait, soft plastics are great for probing cover and offer a more subtle approach for targeting wary fish. Probably their greatest attribute is that their “chewability” causes fish too hang onto them longer, offering the angler plenty of time to set the hook. As with other lure forms they require skilled rod work to get the most from them. Selections may vary from a plastic grub rigged
on a jig head to an unweighted baitfish pattern that can be retrieved slowly through the water like a traditional lure. Rigging them correctly is as important as making the right selection. For more information see the adjoining piece on “SOFT PLASTICS”. Freshwater plastics that work well on Australian natives include Texas or Carolina rigged, Terminator Snap Back’s “Creature Bait”, “Tube” or “Lizard”, the Mad Man “Crawfish Tube” or the Squidgy “Wriggler”.

SPINNERBAITS

One of the many advantages spinnerbaits have over standard lure patterns includes their relative weedlessness. This allows them to be utilised through dense snags without getting caught up. Therefore allowing the capture of fish from locations traditionally too tough for crankbaits armed with trebles.
Added to the flash characteristics of a spinnerbait blade, spinnerbaits also transmit a throbbing noise that can be increased in pitch by using a deeper cupped blade such as an Indiana or Colorado. For more information on this great lure pattern see the adjoining article on “SPINNERBAITS”.

CONC.

Depending on the time of year, water clarity and prevailing weather conditions, fish could be situated in a variety of positions around structure. There are periods when fish aren't overly aggressive, so you will need to experiment with presentations that keep the lure in the fish's face longer. If you're confident you're fishing an area where fish should be, keep experimenting with lures until you find the one they want that day.

A question often asked is what makes a great freshwater lure? Put simply, the difference between a good lure and a great one stems from an anglers ability and the confidence he/she has in the choice made. The greatest lure you can ever own is CONFIDENCE.