Fishing: Get jiggy with it

The handsome snapper fell prey to slow jigging. Photo / Supplied

A question that often arises is: What is the best way to catch snapper? Is bait still the best option, or should we use soft baits? What about the old-fashioned jigs we used to use?

Are the new slow jigs the answer?

The short reply is usually: You'd better ask the fish.

But, seriously, it can be confusing for newcomers and there is always the nagging suspicion that if something different were tied to the end of the line the fish would be falling over themselves to get to it. When torn between options the actual approach to the job in hand can be sabotaged. You never fish as effectively if you don't have faith in what you are doing at the time.

Old-timers will tell you that nothing beats bait, and it is a tough challenge getting them to try some new-fangled thing that looks as if it should be in a toyshop. What actually happens is that on different days different techniques will out-perform all others, so be well prepared.

Out on the Hauraki Gulf a week ago, the deep water out wide beckoned in the settled conditions.

The plan was to try all four different methods to determine which produced the best results.

The first option was to drop anchor in 40m on the inside of the cable zone north of Tiritiri Matangi and with the tide still flowing, the berley was dropped to the bottom and several baits deployed. The bites were tentative but on striking the weight came on and the fish were a respectable size of several kilos.

There were not a lot of snapper, but with four in the bin it was decided to move on to the next method as the tide was easing. It made sense to drift and drop jigs when there was little current. However, it is still a wrench to leave fish that were still biting, and that is one of the age-old mantras _ never leave the fish.

But the 60g silver jigs that used to be so good on the Rakino snapper 20 years ago were ignored.

A further tour of the open spaces saw the fish-finder well lit-up and with the boat barely moving as the wind died away when the tide turned (the wind often changes with the tide) and a sea anchor as an added brake, the soft baits and slow jigs were dropped to the seabed 50m down.

Now soft baits are as familiar as pilchards these days, but the relatively new slow jigs were a whole new dimension for this crew. These strange-looking creatures look like something created by Weta Workshop, and come under names such as Crazy Charlie and Lucanus. They were invented by the Japanese commercial fishing industry, which is about the best pedigree in the world when it comes to separating fish from the water.

The apparent intention is to imitate a member of the octopus and squid families, and this is relative as to how the lures are used in the water.

It is a pretty good intention because everything that swims likes to eat squid, and octopus feature highly on the snapper menu.

With jigs and soft baits the rod is jiggled and jerked to apply movement to the lures. But slow jigs are applied differently, and the key work is slow. The same tackle is used _ a light, fast-action graphite rod, small reel and thin braid line with a short trace. A longer rod is recommended for absorbing pressure on the small hooks, but that's the only difference.

The standard technique is to let the slow jig down to the bottom behind the boat. The action then is wind line back in very slowly, then let it back down again.

The snapper must take the lure slowly as the line simply tightens. The angler just continues winding until the fish is hooked. There is no sudden strike.

Apparently kingfish like these lures, which can also be trolled, and other species like gurnard and john dory will also take them.

Well, the soft baits attracted some attention but nothing like the pink slow jig which was the first time it had been put to the test.

It proved lethal and outfished the bait, the jig and the softie.

Slow jig tips

* Work the jig very slowly.

* Take care when removing hooks. The small one is extremely sharp and the second hook swinging around easily catches unwary hands.

* Long-nosed pliers are a good option for removing hooks.

* Play fish carefully as the hooks are small, but strong, and fish are usually hooked in the lip.

* Use a net to bring fish on board.

* Check the instructions and use the correct ring for attaching to the trace.

A long 6m trace helps absorb head-shakes and maintain even pressure.

* Pink seems the best colour.