Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Pro-Lure-Fishing-Tips » Weapon of Choice - Skinny Water Natives
Weapon of Choice - Skinny Water Natives
By Rod Vardy
As consumers and anglers we are spoilt for choice.
You walk into a tackle store and the vast range of tackle can be awe inspiring, perhaps to some even intimidating.
Luckily there is also lots of advice out there to help you make your purchase.
The staff at the store will be able to guide you through the options they have and there is also a plethora of online reviews and help articles at your fingertips.
For those who are new to fishing, it may seem overkill to have so many different types of fishing rods. Isn't this just a marketing ploy by the tackle companies to get us to buy more gear?
Standing on the outside looking in, it can certainly seem that way. However, once you attempt to fish in multiple environments and chase specific species, you will quickly realise that there is no "one size fits all" solution!
If you want to get serious about your fishing, my advice is to think about what sort of rod you need.
Here are a few questions to help you narrow down your requirements.
What sort of fish will I be targeting? (Bream, Flathead, Bass, Marlin, etc.)
Where will I be fishing? (Sea, River, Creek, Dam, etc.)
What size fish will I be targeting? (Small Creek Bass, Large Flathead, etc.)
What will I be fishing from? (Boat, kayak, land, jetty, etc.)
How will I transport my rod to the location? (Car, Ute, Bike, etc.)
How will I transport my rod at the location? (Boat, Kayak, Backpack, Carry, etc.)
What size reel will I match it to? (1000, 2000, 3000, etc.)
What pound line will I be using? (4lb, 8lb, 50lb, etc.)
My favourite type of fishing is skinny water creek bashing.
Heading out in my kayak to remote bush creeks to chase these hard fighting native fish is a wonderful way to see some amazing parts of our country. The hit from a fired up bass or yella (yellowbelly, golden perch) is something you have to experience to understand and once you know that feeling you will be an addict too!
After years of experience and trial and error, I have found my weapon of choice for the skinny water ... the OKUMA LRF-S-502L-FG.
Coming in at 5 feet (1.5m), this 2 piece rod is rated at 1-3kg and casts 2-8 grams.
Perfect for casting small lures for long session, these rods feel great in the hand and with a little practice you'll be dropping poppers beside snags and skimming FrogZ under branches like a pro.
But don't let their size fool you, these rods are capable of stopping some serious fish!
Using the above questions as a guide, let me show you why the LRF 502 is the perfect choice for me, and how it ticks all the boxes.
What sort of fish will I be targeting? Predominantly Bass
Most Bass anglers typically use 1-3, 2-4 or 3-6 kg rods.
This rod is rated at 1-3 kg but is also extremely strong and durable.
Where will I be fishing? Creeks
In skinny creeks, long casts are less important, accuracy is key. Skinny creeks are usually filled with snags and shaded with overhanging branches. A shorter rod allows you to easily flick in and around this structure.
What size fish will I be targeting? Small/Med Creek Bass
1-3kg is sufficient. When fishing in systems with mid-size Bass I tend to use smaller and lighter lures. The 1-3kg rod helps to accurately cast these lures and also better suits the size of the Bass I am likely to encounter.
What will I be fishing from? Kayak
While some people are a bit unsure about using shorter rods, as long as you can clear the nose of the kayak with the rod tip when seated, the rod is long enough to be practical.
How will I transport my rod to the location? Car
At 5 foot, this rod can be stored in the car in one piece or broken down into 2 pieces for even easier storage.
How will I transport my rod at the location? Kayak
Long rods can be hard to store and are easily damaged when portaging through rough terrain. I wanted a rod that I could lay in front of me, towards the nose of the kayak and not protrude too far that it would get damaged when negotiating rapid water and heavy snags. Vertical rod storage is not an option in most skinny creek scenarios due to overhanging branches, but a short rod can sometimes be placed in the holder where longer rods can't. A short rod can be carried with your paddle and protected by the blade during portages where a longer rod will stick out and snag on obstacles.
What size reel will I match it to? 2000
Best matched to 1-3 or 2-4 kg rod. There is no requirement for a larger or more powerful reel for this application and it suits the rod quite well.
What pound line will I be using? 8/10lb
Best matched to 1-3 or 2-4 kg rod. Although the fish are not likely to be huge, they will fight dirty and live in some very nasty snags, so slightly heavier line will assist with some abrasion resistance and pulling power.
I have now been using the Okuma LRF 502 for over a year and have been really impressed with its quality and durability. If you are looking for a skinny water Bass rod, it's worth checking out!
Now that you know how I found my weapon of choice, maybe this article can help you find yours too!
Cheers, Rod
Gear Used -
Okuma LRF Spin Rods - Full Grip
Okuma Inspira Blue Spinning Reels
TT Lures Vortex Spinnerbaits