A Comprehensive Guide for the Cooler Months:
As the temperatures drop, freshwater anglers turn their attention to redfin, also known as reddies, a spirited species that readily takes on artificial presentations. These olive-colored fish, adorned with distinctive black bands and vivid red fins, emerge as an enticing target for those seeking productive sessions with light tackle during the cooler months.
Understanding the Species:
Redfin are renowned for their aggression and predatory nature in freshwater environments. Their ability to dominate smaller waterways with sheer numbers and a voracious appetite for anything aquatic that fits in their mouths makes them a prime target for avid lure anglers. Armed with a light Shimano outfit and an array of artificial presentations, anglers can tap into the exhilarating freshwater fun that redfin offer during the cool season.
Exploring Fishing Areas:
Redfin exhibit remarkable resilience, thriving in a variety of environments, from the smallest, turbid, drought-ravaged pools to larger, more open waterways. Smaller, low-flow systems are particularly favoured by redfin, where they establish themselves as the dominant predator. In larger bodies of water, redfin tend to school tightly, necessitating effective use of electronics to locate them. Shore sessions are popular for redfin, especially in narrow creeks with features like deeper holes, sunken timber, reeds, and undercut banks. Even in metropolitan areas, small ponds, dams, and artificial waterways can yield fruitful lure sessions, and redfin are known to thrive in dirty water.
Soft Plastic and Jighead Selection:
Soft plastics, such as the Squidgy range up to 100mm, offer an ideal presentation for redfin in various scenarios, particularly when fishing near structures. The fearless approach to casting with soft plastics is advantageous, especially in areas where snags are common. Choosing a size 2-6 hook with head weights around 1-2g is recommended for medium to shallow water work. Redfin are known to strike during the drop, making a slow sink desirable. In smaller waters, fishing unweighted is a viable option, or lighter jigheads can be used to increase the time spent in the strike zone. Redfin are particularly fond of soft plastics, and a variety of Squidgy options, including Wrigglers and Fish, are effective. Experimenting with dark and bright colours, changing up patterns and jighead weights, can yield different results. Fishing soft plastics deep and slow near edges and structures is a proven technique, often resulting in a rewarding clunk on the braid and a spirited redfin on the other end. Anglers can enhance their chances by varying lure size, using catch scent, fishing during different atmospheric conditions, and exploring different times of the day.
Hard Lure Selections:
Bream-sized hard-bodies, typically ranging from 40-70mm, prove equally effective in enticing redfin. These lures include standard shallow and deep-diving minnows, vibes, sinking stickbaits, and surface lures like the Bantam Ligen 66F. Surface lures, in particular, are recommended in low light or on windy days when redfin are feeding off the top, offering an exciting and visually engaging experience. When using hard lures, anglers must exercise caution and select fishing locations carefully due to the potential for snags in tight, obstacle-laden waters. Adjusting presentations and fishing deep and slow while avoiding hidden logs and rocks can maximize success. Anglers are encouraged to assess the conditions and, if necessary, switch to soft plastics for a more reliable and snag-resistant approach.
Selecting the Right Outfit:
Choosing the appropriate flickstick outfit is crucial for a successful redfin assault. Many light tackle anglers already possess a 2-3kg outfit suitable for flathead and bream, and this can seamlessly transition to redfin fishing. The lures used for redfin are often similar to those employed for bream, necessitating similar principles in outfit selection. Key considerations include sensitivity, a reliable drag system, quality braid such as Kairiki 8 or Power Pro, and a good length of 2-3kg Ocea Fluorocarbon tied to the preferred lure. Shimano offers a range of rods catering to various budgets, including the Jewel 721 and Zodias 270UL. These can be paired with a 1000-2500 sized reel. Anglers should consider shorter rod options when fishing in confined spaces surrounded by thick vegetation, enabling more precise and stealthy casts without the risk of entangling the rod tip in bushes.
Conclusion:
In addition to the sportfishing entertainment redfin provide, they are also esteemed for their culinary qualities. Often referred to as "inland whiting" by anglers who appreciate their catch, redfin are known for their firm flesh and excellent taste, providing yet another incentive to embark on a winter pursuit of these kamikaze-style lure eaters.
Embarking on a redfin fishing adventure with lures during the cooler months offers anglers not only the thrill of the chase but also the potential for a delicious meal—a perfect blend of sport and sustenance for those who appreciate the multifaceted joys of freshwater angling.
