Elecmuso 6 Report post Posted January 8 So I had a quick go with the pump and there are plenty of clickers around (coffin bay). But I've never been all that sure of the best way to bait up and hook size. Also are they good for most species apart from the obvious (ie. Yfw)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anchovy 140 Report post Posted January 8 I have found that the size of mature specimens can vary a lot by location. so ideal hook size may vary but what determines hook size for me is what I'm fishing for. For YFW I use hook size of 6-8 so if the nippers are small it would be better to use an 8 and if they are larger a 6. they can be tricky to put on a hook especially if they are small they almost disintegrate when you put the hook through them. I go through the back of the tail and out through the front so they are still alive. from what I've read they are a premium bait that almost any fish would take. I've caught a garfish on a nipper before 1 doobie reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vogon 197 Report post Posted January 8 On Yorkes I use size 4 for YFW & they catch other species as well, even small stuff. I put the point of the hook in at the base of the underside of the tail and thread them down the hook & come out in the head. This also serves to help keep the body on better. Hope this is helpful 1 doobie reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 4,062 Report post Posted January 8 And cast delicately too - too many times I've cast only see the clicker going in the wrong direction ! 1 anchovy reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hugo 94 Report post Posted January 8 Absolute gun bait. great also for bream, flathead, mullet, tommies etc. A gentle lob cast unweighted on a soft tipped rod and allowed to drift or slowly retrieved they are deadly. I've found that if you keep winding when you feel a bite it improves the hookup rate. 1 vogon reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elecmuso 6 Report post Posted January 8 Thanks fellas. Collected 20 this arvo. Was going to try them in the morning. Are there any suitable land based spots on the coffin Bay township side of the bay? Haven't seen a sole fishing off the shore. 1 Knackers reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Knackers 433 Report post Posted January 24 On 08/01/2019 at 10:48 PM, Elecmuso said: Thanks fellas. Collected 20 this arvo. Was going to try them in the morning. Are there any suitable land based spots on the coffin Bay township side of the bay? Haven't seen a sole fishing off the shore. Can you let me know where you got them? PM if you want. I haven't found any yet. Are you still in Coffins? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattmann1985 51 Report post Posted January 24 This has got me motivated to go buy a pump tonight and catch some clickers this weekend at Pt Hughes then onto the YFW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 423 Report post Posted January 24 If you want to keep them lively-ish - (they are never particularly lively with a hook in them) - have the hook point exit before the head. But I used to run the hook all the way through and exit in the head like this lure photo - My thought being it it was slight tougher shell in the head and they would stay on the hook a bit better Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 423 Report post Posted January 24 Using a bait holder style hook can also help stop them scrunching up - it doesnt always work as they are a pretty flimsy bait - and if you cast too hard they will scrunch - but whiting will still eat a scrunched up Yabby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lofty64 1,234 Report post Posted January 24 But what I do is ………...champion . Best spark plug 1 doobie reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 4,062 Report post Posted January 24 20 minutes ago, lofty64 said: But what I do is ………...champion . Best spark plug Must be more to this Lofty64 .... but huh .... you lost me 1 Harrison22 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harrison22 21 Report post Posted January 24 Has anyone here had experience in changing the seals and broken parts in a bait pump? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 423 Report post Posted January 24 Some guys just use a circle cut from a rubber thong to the replace the plunger - just press your bait pump down on the thong and it will leave an imprint - or you can buy a replacement kit. One thing I learnt too late, was turning the wing nut fine tunes the suction the pump delivers 1 Harrison22 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 423 Report post Posted January 24 Heres a close up view of how the Alvey bait pumps are put together Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harrison22 21 Report post Posted January 24 Haha I think I have an old pair of thongs that suffered a bust out so I might give that a try. Thanks for the tips and the link 1 yellow door 1 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 423 Report post Posted January 24 No worries - And heres a vid by a professional bait collector, on trouble shooting pump problems and how to make a replacement plunger out of silicone and old gumboots - He talks about dings in the metal tubing - bent plunger rods - and lubing your pump every 15-20 pumps with vegetable oil 1 1 Harrison22 and Squid Inc. reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites