HOW-TO: Double Your Bream Catches Using Fluorocarbon Line

[@adamimberti6948]

Pretty new to fishing but I was struggling on the bream today. Switched to a really long 4 pound leader (was apprehensive because I got bitten off by a flatty the first time I used 4 pound) and immediately hooked up to a nice bream. It's amazing putting these tips and tricks I've learned exclusively from KZbin channels like this to work and immediately seeing the results.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff

[@adamimberti6948]

@@StarloGetsReel Thanks for the decades of sharing your knowledge and passion for fishing with the rest of us. It's a beautiful thing.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@adamimberti6948 you’re welcome! Tight Lines.

[@clintonjohnson8876]

One of the best brains in Australian fishing

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks mate! Tight Lines.

[@scottmarquet1018]

Great advice Steve its a winner. Can I ask what sounder you use? I’m just getting to the point of fit out of my Heartly river boat and need a little help with a fish finder. I watched your Murray cod episode at Copten Dam and liked the look of what you were doing with that sounder. Didn’t get the name of it so I’m interested in what you think. Once again thanks for all your tips and tricks you pass on to us it is great having your knowledge right here in front of us. Stay safe.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Hi Scott. The sounder in that Copeton cod vid' was a very flash Lowrance set-up owned by Dean Silvester (check out his Silvesters Freshwater Fishing channel for lots more info on it). I still run a pretty standard Lowrance HDS 9. I'm happy with it.

[@scottmarquet1018]

@@StarloGetsReel I was the owner of the old Howell silver mine for a few years in the early 90’s and never caught a cod in Copten dam, plenty of red fin & huge yellow belly but never a cod. I did however catch one below the hatchery late one afternoon and is still the highlight of my inland fishing. Thanks for the information regarding the sounders, been tossing up between HDS 7 live and the Simrad GO9 XSE based on price! Looking at the HDS 9 I think I’m on the right track in what I’m after and what I can afford. Thanks again mate when is your next video coming to us? Stay safe.

[@Inverted88]

You've inspired me to try an ultra finesse setup. Cheers Starlo.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, give it a go!

[@PurplePatchFishing]

Really enjoyed that Steve so great tips and tricks. I will definitely need to fish straight through flurocarbon more 💜🎣

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks!

[@markmay184]

I was in the Navy for thirty odd years, we used to do the same with rope. Just make sure you secure one end to something solid, like a bollard - the rope, not the Fluro 😀

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@markmay184 spot on.

[@markmay184]

I’ve seen it end in tears, and burnt hands 🥵 😀

[@richardsnellin7338]

Great tip for the line twist, it's my biggest problem when fishing straight through fluoro. Cheers for the video.

[@StarloGetsReel]

No worries! It works really well.

[@deanboulton7980]

Does 2lb fluro catch more fish than 3lb fluro straight through?

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@deanboulton7980 I would say it HOOKS a few more over time. The diametre is the critical spec’ to look at, rather than the manufacturer’s rated breaking strain. O.14mm line tends to score more bites than, say, 0.18mm. But of course if you go TOO light/fine, you’ll also lose more fish. It’s a balancing act.

[@johnathonLawrence]

Just made myself up an ultra finesse 2lb set-up for those really tough Bream tournament bites where they seem to shut down a bit.... Using a Millerod crankfreak ul and a Shimano complex 2000 f4.... What 2lb line would you recommend mate?

[@StarloGetsReel]

I've used a few, but that FC Sniper seems really good, as does the FC Rock.

[@johnathonLawrence]

@@StarloGetsReel terrific thanks heaps, I've loaded mine up with the 2lb sniper already... will just have to build the confidence in going that light

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@johnathonLawrence yes, it’s a leap of faith! But I bet you hook heaps. Good luck. 👍

[@justinadams5159]

While many good fishermen are big time adherents to the Z Mann and Bait Junkie grubs, I’ve noticed one of the best in Steve Morgan uses very often shallow and deep diving hardbodies when competing in the A.B.T Pro Tournaments and we needn’t here discuss does he do O.K with a record including multiple Bream Angler of the Year. He’s an angler not a dangler.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, Smorgo is a gun. Does great work with fluorocarbon and hard bodies, too.

[@iamalemontree]

Great video! Do you think 40 pounds flouro have less sensitivity than a 15 pound flouro line?

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure! Lighter, thinner materials of any kind are always more senitive.

[@alby910]

What finesse jigs would you recomend

[@StarloGetsReel]

I still have some of the old Squidgy Round Heads left. They're the best I've used for this. No longer made, unfortunately. I guess when I run out I'll have to start trying other brands. :)

[@savaspourouti173]

Steve, awesome video. I have been fishing the flats in recent times and enjoying my time doing it. Haven't tried full straight through Fluorocarbon though, but will spool a reel with 4lb soon and give it a go. I think I like the fact that you aren't playing around with leaders as well (problematic I think with one my rods that has microguides). With regards to the knot to the split Ring on the Lure (I'm cranking Hard Bodies at the moment) do I still need to tie a loop knot to the Lure?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks Savas! I'm not keen on loop knots in such light line. Hard body action should be fine if they are attached via a ring, split ring or small loop. However, if it's a hard body with just a fixed eyelet, you may still need a loop to enhance the action. In that situation I'd tie a Uni Knot but tighten it in place to leave a very small loop. If this snugs down tight when a fish is hooked, simply re-tie it after landing the fishing. It's good practice to re-tie often in light line, anyway. Tight Lines!

[@savaspourouti173]

Cheers Steve, thanks for the tips 👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@savaspourouti173 no worries!

[@markmay184]

They were a trifecta of stonking Bream on any b/s line, never mind on 2 & 4lb line!!! 👍🏻

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks!

[@peterbeadman5115]

How far from the boat are you able to cast these light rigs?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Peter, typical casts are in the 20 to 30 metre range... say 60 to 100 feet.

[@joshzfishing]

hey mate when i am fishing soft plastics,i feel tapsbut not hook ups,do i have to nset the hookmif so how?Do i set it when i feel the tap tap tap or when the biggest tap comes in?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep. You need to set the hook, almost as if you were bait fishing. Lift and wind. I typically react to the first tap but you won’t pin them all.

[@joshzfishing]

@@StarloGetsReel so do I lift my rod up when I feel a tap?

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@joshzfishing however you normally strike. Usually a combination of lifting and winding the reel. Whatever you'd do with bait.

[@joshzfishing]

@@StarloGetsReel do you strike as soon as you felt the bite?

[@EzraSwannellFishing]

@@joshzfishingyep but not on top water lures. If topwater then wait 1 second.

[@intensity.density2208]

It's all fun and games until a flathead swallows your lure whole 😭