Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Saltwater-Estuary » My Canal Soft Plastics Kit - Jacob Iedema
Related Products...
My Canal Soft Plastics Kit - Jacob Iedema
By Jacob Iedema
Soft plastics are one of the most effective lure types on the market. They are perfect for newcomers to lure fishing and deadly in the hands of highly experienced anglers. ZMan takes their soft plastic range to the next level with the unrivalled durability of the 10X Tough ElaZtech material. I've fished ZMan soft plastics for as long as I can remember and without the humble GrubZ, I would not enjoy fishing as much as I do now. The ZMan range of lures transformed fishing for me, with fishing becoming an active hunt, rather than sitting and waiting for the bite with bait. I started catching more and landing a better quality of fish, while enjoying it more than I ever did previously with bait.
There is a common misconception among many weekend anglers that lures don't work. I've heard it in the tackle shop all too often. Soft plastics are incredibly easy to use and an accessible way for any angler wanting to catch more fish and get into lure fishing. Based in southeast Queensland, I fish a lot of manmade canals and have spent countless hours exploring these often overlooked fisheries. My canal fishing kit consists of predominantly ZMan soft plastics and they have never let me down on the water.
Let's take a look at the plastics in my kit and a few tips for getting you hooked up when fishing them in the many canal systems found throughout Australia.
ZMan 2.5" GrubZ
Whenever I embark on a session on the water there is one lure that I can never leave behind. The humble ZMan 2.5" GrubZ is one of the most effective allround presentations and is also one of my favourite plastics for canal fishing. Standout colours for me in the range include Motor Oil, Midnight Oil, Greasy Prawn and Watermelon Red. The GrubZ excels for species such as bream, flathead, javelin fish and trevally, however just about anything will eat it and it's just a matter of holding on and hoping for the best. As the saying goes, elephants eat peanuts, and some of the fish that I've hooked on the GrubZ have been nothing short of unstoppable.
ZMan 2.5" / 3" Slim SwimZ
Another small lure that punches well above its weight is the 2.5" Slim SwimZ. This jellybean sized lure is the perfect small baitfish imitation and I never go fishing without a few packets. All of the usual species eat the Slim SwimZ, along with a few big surprises here and there. Colours such as Baby Bass, Opening Night, Motor Oil, Greasy Prawn and Bad Shad would be my all-time favourites in the range. The big brother of the 2.5" is the 3" Slim SwimZ and this is a slightly larger baitfish profile that is ideal for casting on a slightly heavier outfit when fishing the canals. This lure is a standout for canal jewfish and trevally, producing some incredible fish over the years.
ZMan 3" MinnowZ
An upsized, paddle tail, baitfish profile soft plastic, with a deeper bodied shape and bigger tail for additional vibration. The MinnowZ is a favourite of mine when targeting larger and more aggressive species that are accustomed to eating larger baitfish. Flathead, mangrove jack, trevally, estuary cod and school jewfish all think that this is an appetising meal. Go-to colours of mine include Opening Night, Baby Bass, Bad Shad and Houdini.
ZMan 3.5" EZ ShrimpZ
When prawn season comes around and the canals are filled with flicking crustaceans, it is difficult to look past the EZ ShrimpZ. This lure is the ideal prawn imitation and as the saying goes, everything eats a prawn. Jacks, trevally, estuary cod and flathead are just some of the species that are willing to crunch an EZ ShrimpZ in the canals. My favourite colours in the range are Greasy Prawn and Laguna Shrimp.
ZMan 3.75" StreakZ
Another presentation that has proven itself effective in the canals is the 3.75" StreakZ. With the action of a wounded baitfish, the StreakZ has rounded up its fair share of canal dwelling species, including flathead, bream, trevally, tailor and snapper. My go-to colours in the range include Baby Bass, Opening Night and Smokey Shad.
Scent
Scent is also often overlooked, however it can be the difference between catching a wary fish and not catching anything at all. Pro-Cure scents are made from real bait ground bait, with added UV, amino acids and bite stimulants to entice any timid fish to a lure. I apply scent to my lures every half an hour or so and have recently been using the Mullet and Inshore Saltwater flavours.
Jigheads
Quality jigheads are invaluable when connected to a dream fish, ensuring peace of mind during long drawn out battles with fast or powerful fish. That's why I use the TT Lures range of jigheads and they have never let me down. My three favourite jigheads for fishing the canals are the TT Lures HeadlockZ HD (heavy wire) and HeadlockZ Finesse (light wire), along with the DemonZ painted head to switch things up.
Tips when Fishing Soft Plastics
1. Match the Hatch: Lure selection is key, especially in clear water conditions and matching your lure with the natural bait will provide a huge advantage. Colour and profile are the two biggest attributes to match to the bait when selecting a lure.
2. Jighead Selection: In order to achieve the optimal action from a soft plastic, the hook size and weight of the jighead must be suited to each situation. The weight of the jighead shouldn't make the lure sink too fast, making it appear unnatural, while still enabling consistent contact with the bottom. Jighead weight should be adapted to suit current and water depth conditions.
3. Rigging: Another important factor in achieving the best action is rigging. The soft plastic should sit straight on the jighead, while enabling the hook to sit exposed for improved hook-up rates.
4. Confidence: Find a lure that you're confident in, whether it be the colour or a particular model. Having confidence in the lure that you've got tied on can make the psychological difference on a slow day of fishing.
5. Enjoy Fishing: Get out there and enjoy the fishing. Give it a crack and you never know what might happen.
Cheers,
Jacob