lures for Wivenhoe Dam

[Member]

Does anyone know what commercially available lure, colour and weight works for bass and yellowbelly in Wivenhoe Dam?

Thanks in advance.
Bondy

[Member]

Anything Black or Purple is worth go at the moment.

[Member]

Dale,

Thanks for that colour advice, would you know what make or type?

Cheers

[Member]

Hi Bondy.... For what style of fishing? Trolling, casting, jigging etc

[Member]

Hello Sweetwater,

Trolling and casting please?

Thanks

[Member]

8 meter Polterguiest works well when trolling

[Member]

Sorry mate, can't help you. None of the lures in my tackle box catch fish in Wivenhoe anymore.

Cheers Andrew

[Member]

Trolling and casting please?

Casting.... edge or flats?

Spin or baitcaster?

Doesn't matter a great deal, but if you're looking for a silver bullet, they don't exist.

Colors are often a personal favourite or a "confidence" color for people. In essence, a pink lure will never work if you never tie one on and use it, but a purple one be the "best" if that's all someone uses.
I always like to have a spread of colors in the same lure white, earthy color, a green and a bright red or orange. If you want one color above all others, I'd say white would be my first choice.

Weights should be determined by the rod / reel you are using, or if the weight of a lure is so important you "have to use it" make sure you get a rod/reel combo capable of casting it effectively. On the flats in Wienhoe I've often used upto 75gram slugs, try casting that on a 2kg spin stick with 4lb leader..... Weights used for flats fishing is often determined by the wind on the day; no wind = little weight, alot of wind = more weight.
Edge fishing. have a rod / reel combo that can handle the intended weight. Spinnerbaits I prefer 5/8 or 3/4 ounce as a starting point & fish faster than most people; better to cover country and stay away from powertails at the same time.

Like I said, there's no silver bullet and what works today may not work tomorrow. Bite patterns can be just as fickle so you need to be able to roll with the punches ans switch liures, colors, depths, angles, locations, speed of retrieve from hour to hour...... Cover your bases with a spread of lures / colors, refine your techniques and you're at least a chance.  Thats why its called fishing, not catching.

Heck, could bang on and fill a book on this stuff, but got other stuff to do right now. ...

[Member]

I've only fished Wivenhoe since the changes allowed access to 4 strokes, so my experience is quite recent but reasonably successful.

We have had a lot of success with small high frequency timber minnows that dive in the 20'-25' zone, primarily cottage made timber lures as distinct from commercially available plastics.

Other than my own whittlings, I have been very successful with Tom Barratt's Gidgee Ripples and Lofty's Esoteric Buggame's, particularly on the downriggers 



Cheers

Rob

[Member]

Thanks very much for the replies, seems to be quite a complicated thing when it comes to lures.

Cheers, Bondy

[Member]

Bondy, to give you more of an idea here are pics of my top 3 lure models for Wivenhoe based on the last 10 months or so - there are plenty more options of a similar timber nature, these are just what I use and are happy to recommend based on consistent fish in the boat

Two are for downrigging the other for ultra deep high frequency trolling. Yes, I'm biased re the Tonks cause I make them, but if you can flop it out on the table with confidence, then do it I say 

Colours are a whole different topic ....

- Esoteric Buggame
- Mini Tonk
- Gidgee Ripple



Cheers

Rob

[Member]

Hello Rob,

Thanks for that additional info and thanks for different lure photos. Does make things easier.

Cheers, Peter