Nige Webster has spent 2 years refining his approach to fishing blade lures on our offshore tropical reefs. After describing this technique a few years ago, he now writes again of lessons learnt and why this approach is a must-know for reef anglers.
I have been jigging trout and other tropical reef species on micro-jigs for many years now; approximately 2 years ago I first started casting large metal blades in the same waters and was highly impressed with the results on species such as coral trout. The technique was too good to keep a secret and I penned an article on its success in a previous Sport Fishing Australia magazine; 18 months on and after plenty of questions from our readers, as well as plenty more time on the water refining this approach, its worth recounting lessons learned. Mates of mine will attest to my levels of addiction when it comes to chasing reef species on larger metal blades: the approach really is that effective. So effective that we had to film it for an upcoming AFN Fishing Show and Sport Fish DVD segment.
Pretty blade by-catch.
Blades and the Reef
Its no revelation that metal ‘micro-style’ jigs and the jigged retrieve works well when targeting our tropical reef species. Today there are also blades and other lipless crankbait type lures that are large enough and heavy enough to enable successful targeting of tropical reef fish. We often have our favourites when it comes to various brands of lures. I have subsequently found it hard to go past the well-suited TT Switchblade HD when it comes to blade jigging the tropical reefs. This being said, I encourage you to do your research and find your confidence lure that will carry out the required tasks.
The reason blades work so well on the reef is that they imitate local baitfish supplies and thereby, ‘match-the hatch.’ They also emit powerful noise and vibrations that alert aggressive predatory fish to their whereabouts. Once you have fished for predatory reef species such as trout for a while you develop an imagined picture of how they behave. These fish either position themselves individually or in schools within close proximity to solid bottom structure. Current moves bait across the reef areas and the fish when actively feeding tend to dart out and grab isolated or unwary food sources as they drift across and near to the reef bottom. It is easy to replicate this movement of bait with a drifting boat and heavy blade lure. The fact that you can make a blade bump into the reef and then vibrate near to and above the reef makes them a very effective reef lure.
Finding Fish
Finding extended areas of reef are paramount to catching tropical reef species. I have used blades to catch our favoured species across many areas of coral reef. The technique is definitely not location specific; I have taken fish on these lures throughout the Whitsundays, in the waters off Gladstone and 1770 and also from some of the Sunshine Coast reef systems. I typically look for extended hard reef bottom in 10 to 30 m of water. Look for areas of undulating bottom that is holding bait concentrations. Noticeable ledges where the reef starts to drop into deeper water nearly always hold fish and I often focus most of my efforts on these structures. A pattern will often emerge that shows more fish being caught at specific depths. It pays to vary drift lines when first fishing the reef to establish what areas and depths are producing the most fish. The manner in which current strikes the reef often has bearing on where you will find fish. Pressure edges and current shadows often attract concentrations of trout and other species. These ‘shadow zones’ can move with changing tides and the fish will respond. If you are catching fish on a particular tide but then struggling to continue your success after the tide has turned, it might have a lot to do with the fact that the fish have moved to another part of the reef.
Blading Bite Times
There are definite periods where desired reef species seem to bite more aggressively. My ideal conditions for chasing coral trout include a building moon that is 7 to 4 days before the full moon. The harder the southerly wind blows the better the trout seem to bite; glassy sea conditions are generally associated with a tough trout bite. Perfect scenario: cloud cover, 10 knots of south wind, the last three hours of a run-out tide and 5 days to go to the full moon. Fishing around the tide turn will always produce a few active trout so try to not miss these periods. There is definite merit in fishing outside of these prescribed times because at the end of the day, when the weather is good and you have a leave pass you are going to go fishing and you can often find the fish biting somewhere!
Snag Prevention
Many anglers are dissuaded from using metal blades on the reef due to the snag rate. In the event that you do not, or cannot manage your braided line adequately you will suffer heavy lure loss. The practice of blading requires direct contact be managed with your lure at all times. If environmental conditions such as wind or excessive current make line management difficult the lure attrition rate becomes higher.
To reduce snagging I have found several practices will help. Remove the belly hooks from the blade: this slightly alters the action of the blade but greatly reduces the snagging potential of the lure. The most influence you can have when trying to reduce snagging is to learn how to ‘walk’ your blade through the reef. The moment the blade lands on the reefy bottom and your line slackens briefly, quickly retrieve slack line and rather than aggressively lifting the lure from the reef, gently pick up the rod tip to establish if the lure is caught. If the lure lifts freely, continue with the retrieve of choice. If however, the lure snags, rather than pull hard on the rod, try to subtly shake the rod tip repeatedly and in many cases the lure will free itself. In the event that it does not, wait until the drift of the boat has positioned you upside of the snagging location and try again to shake the lure free: this often frees the lure.
Techniques
Given different scenarios, there are several ways in which I choose to fish a blade lure. The chosen presentation is usually based on the mood of the fish. A faster and aggressive retrieve is used when the fish are found to be feeding actively. In the event that fish are subdued, a more subtle retrieve is used.
Standard Retrieve
(See diagram for detailed explanation)
A new day always starts with this retrieve; once the mood of the fish is established the retrieve can be varied to suit. The retrieve works well in 10 to 20 m of water.
Aggressive Retrieve
(See diagram for detailed explanation)
Given certain weather and moon variables lining up, the trout and other reef species can be found to be very active. One retrieve seems to instigate aggressive bites from bigger fish given this type of bite; many anglers would refer to this retrieve as a slow-rolled approach. The retrieve works well in 10 to 30 m of water.
Subtle Vertical Retrieve
(See diagram for detailed explanation)
During periods of glassy weather the reef fish can bite in a subdued manner. One retrieve has produced more bites for me than others when conditions such as these occur. The retrieve is very much like the vertical and subtle jigged approach that bass anglers use when ice jigging for these species. The retrieve works best in 10 to 20 m of water.
Blade Jigging Summary
There are few styles of lure fishing that I have found to be as engaging as fishing with large metal blades around the reef. The process of exploring a reef while watching every subtle movement of a braided line, knowing that the moment that line flicks aggressively that you have a significant battle on your hands, is truly an addictive way to play with some of our more beautiful reef fish.
Nige Webster is northern field editor of Sport Fishing and Freshwater Fishing magazines. Based at Noosa he fishes the entire east coast in fresh and salt water.
