OK, so we've got our boat, rigged the gear and we're on the water, where to next?
Look for any concentration of moored boats and you're half way there. My personal preference is to look for boats moored in water depths of around 8'-15'.
When targeting moored boats I find the crustier they are the better fish holding potential it has. By crusty, I mean boats with plenty of marine growth on the hull. Barnacles, weed and algal growth all attract fish and they can be seen on many occasions feeding on this growth. This boat is a typical example of what I'm talking about; notice the growth along the water line. This growth is like a magnet for BREAM:
Although old, crusty boats are a favorite target, do not ignore the "cleaner" boats as fish will also gather around these for shelter, particularly during the middle of the day.
I also find that sailing boats to be a better target than cruisers as they have an extended keel, which seems to attract more fish. This is not a hard and fast rule; it is simply something I have observed over many a long session on the water.
Having said that, there have been occasions where cruisers have produced fish yet sailing boats haven't. I leave it to you to observe and come to your own conclusions on this point.
So what to do once you've located your target area?
As I mentioned earlier, stealth is vital in this form of fishing. Fish that may be feeding on the marine growth will spook easily if you charge in under power or bang around on your boat. When approaching a target, cut your main engine well short of the target and motor in under electric power. By doing this you reduce the chance of spooking any fish that may be around.
Once you have reached your target it's time to get serious.
I will generally start with a NITRO 1/24oz jig loaded with a 3" BERKLEY BASS MINNOW and make adjustments to weight and lure from there, depending on water depth, wind and current flow.
Initially I like to position the boat on the up current side of a boat (even better if this is the shady side) and cast as close as possible to the hull and allow the lure to sink slowly and under the hull with the current.
When doing this I like to stand off about 5-8 meters and cast at the boat, there is less chance of spooking flighty fish if you don't get too close. Allow the lure to sink for a few seconds and then work it SLOWLY while allowing it to continue its decent to the bottom. If your lure hasn't been hit on the drop, let it sit on the bottom (called dead sticking) for about 10 seconds before imparting a couple of SLOW twitches. Dead stick again and continue this while working the lure back to your boat.
If after 4 or 5 casts you have not had a hit move to the down current side of the target and do the same thing. If you still haven't had any luck, move to the next target and do it all again.
With this form of fishing, it is vital that you watch your line at all times as sometimes the bite is only detectable by the slightest of twitches generated up your line (this is where GSP line comes into it's own). If you notice a twitch or your line suddenly moves in the wrong direction, chances are you've got a fish on. Strike to set the hook, but should you miss the hook up, don't retrieve your lure straight away. Allow it to sink back down and let out a little slack line, as more often than not, the fish will still be there and will nail it the second time around.
Remember, both sides of a target boat should be worked and I usually make 4 or 5 casts at each side. If, after 10 or 12 casts, you haven't had a take, move on to the next boat.
If you are fishing boats in deeper water, say 20'+ try starting with a 1/16oz jig head but don't be afraid to go a bit heavier and use a 1/8oz. From experience I find it rare to have to use anything heavier than 1/16oz but as I have already stated, conditions will dictate weight for you.
BREAM are not the only species you will encounter while fishing in this way. Trevally, whiting, flathead and mulloway are also frequent captures so be prepared to react accordingly. Above all things, this type of fishing dictates that you work your lures SLOWLY.
The principals of fishing moored boats are the same wherever you go, so get in and give it a go. You'll be surprised at the great fishing to be had by targeting crusty old boats.
Yours truly with a few stud BREAM caught using the methods described above. These fish were taken using NITRO jig heads and BLACK DIAMOND 7' FLATS RANGER rods.
But don't be surprised if you encounter a Trevally or two: |
