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General Angling Topics => Micro fishing => Topic started by: kaptein delarey on May 30, 2013, 02:07:31 PM
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MOSQUITO FISH RIG
I've been fishing my whole life, but have only fished artlure, and for micros, for the last 2 years - so don't take everything I say as law, I'm no expert, yet. Happy reading!
THE TACKLE & GEAR:
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/SAM_1715_zps688241ab.jpg)
HOOK:
My hook of choice is an Owner "New Half Moon" tanago hook, used by the Japanese to catch the smallest imaginable bitterling. The #32 hooks (difficult to get your hands on) more commonly used by artlure guys to catch mosquito fish, are very successful, but were designed to fish with tiny flies/lures/bait for bigger fish.
On the other hand, tanago hooks are designed specifically for catching micro fish with micro baits on micro gear - so it makes more sense to me to use them.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/e335dc28-1700-4ed8-b800-9a3a61d8f111_zps827f9dfb.jpg)
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/34374ad2-5e6d-443a-ac58-d11d6814cd94_zpsd2cd85c2.jpg)
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/888d0e27-e516-4267-aac7-4a83da434b16_zps08b36047.jpg)
The tanago hooks have a smaller gape, are shorter from bend to tip, and have a slightly longer shank than J-shaped micro hooks. Fish don't need to take the whole hook in their mouths, but only the tip, so hookups are easier.
The 'functional' part of the hook is basically just the bottom-third of the hook body. The longer shank makes hook removal easier, and the spade end (no eye on these hooks!) is needed to snell the hook to the line you're using.
As mentioned, these micro hooks have no eyes to tie your line to, so the need to be snelled. You either need a high level of dexterity (and patience) to tie them by hand, or one of these tools. There are a couple of brands available from certain shops, but I use a Stonfo hook tier that works great.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/74b7c71c-bcf2-48f0-90f9-260b903b99bf_zps2797bedd.jpg)
I'm not going to try and explain the tying process - I'll rather let this picture and YouTube video, speak a thousand words.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/9e487341-ab40-4c5b-8f50-0aa4caecdbff_zps3cb8b878.jpg)
Rather than 5 turns, as illustrated above, I prefer to make 7 - 9 turns around the hook with the thin tippet line.
Hook tier instruction video on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Odx-jiQNQI)
LURE:
Most anglers use a small ball of Berkley Powerbait or small Sada curly tail (jakesie) as lure. I like to customise my lures a bit.
I take a used Sada curly tail (I prefer white) and slice it into smaller disks, which I then snip into tiny flecks (1mmx1mm or even smaller) with a nail clipper. You can literally clip hundreds of micro baits from one bigger lure, and this way I'm also recycling my older/broken plastic lures - going green is big these days.
Here's the finished presentation.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/89911a7f-7cc6-494e-b616-35dbbf151dec_zps2abc83f2.jpg)
You only need to push the lure just past the barb, so just the tip of the hook is exposed. I know the lure looks tiny, but these fish have tiny mouths, so you have a better chance at hooking up the smaller your lure or bait.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/9eb5cfd4-a167-4ff8-94a3-d124c8cbdc02_zps788811e1.jpg)
You don't have to use a lure of course. You can also cut small pieces of earthworm or alternatively use bits of insects and any bait that you might think the fish will go for.
Mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) were introduced to control mosquito numbers, by eating mosquito larvae, but I've seen schools of them chasing everything from small feathers and leaves that have dropped into the water - so those good at tying flies, now there's a challenge for you - tie a mosquito fish mosquito larva fly!
LINE:
I go as light as possible (we're not popping for GTs here :gt: !) - currently I'm using 7X Airflo fly fishing tippet line, with a breaking strength of just over 1kg and a diameter of 0.104mm.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/e7dcc818-2443-456b-8920-6b75aacce5f7_zps3386cf47.jpg)
Any brand will do, as long as the line's thin enough for it not to slip over the spade end of the hook when snelled (thicker line will).
I prefer to pre-tie a couple of 30 - 40cm traces (hooks & lines), and wrap them around a piece of foam board so they won't tangle. You don't want to lose valuable time next to the water tying micro hooks to thin line, so preparing beforehand is well worth it.
SINKER:
Get the smallest piece of split shot you can find, and crimp it 5 - 10cm up the line above the hook. the split shot is used to weight the presentation for better control, and to 'call' fish (attract their attention) by lightly splashing it on the water's surface.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/fc14bfdb-558f-4db9-adcd-3dbbed477e53_zpse01d9b16.jpg)
In ideal conditions, with no wind and fish actively feeding on the surface, I've gotten away with using no split shot - this way the lure and hook float on the top film of the water's surface, as tiny insects would, and get engulfed with vigour by the fish!
ROD:
You'll mostly be fishing at close range, and these micros aren't known for backing-stripping runs :sreel: - so anything will do. From bamboo twigs, rod tips from longer rods, kiddie rods, fly rods and bass rods - with a length of line tied to the tip to which you can attach your trace, or simply tying the trace to your mainline if using a rod with reel.
TECHNIQUE:
Here you can experiment a bit.
If the fish are visible in the top water column - drag your lure around just under the water's surface. The fish will investigate, follow and chase the lure. You don't really have to strike, the dragging action usually takes care of hooking the fish.
If the fish are swimming beyond your reach - call them by splashing the split shot on your trace gently on the water's surface. This usually gets their attention.
Patience is key, as hookups aren't always solid the fish easily wiggle themselves off the hook.
RESULTS:
Western mosquito fish
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/44ec6d59-079c-493a-814c-b8839032e1a0_zpsd2446a7c.jpg)
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/6c02cfb4-3825-40c5-b781-43df94a991a7_zps9cbdbb3e.jpg)
I've also caught other micro species, like vlei, blue and dwarf kurpers on the mosquito fish rig.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/SAM_1698_zpsf3efd7aa.jpg)
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/kapteindelarey/SAM_1694_zpsafcf17ce.jpg)
Please share your views, tips and ideas.
Cheers
Werner
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Great article! :shk
Quality photo's too! Thanks! :+ cred:
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Superb article, absolutely brilliant!!!!! :+ cred: :+ cred: :+ cred:
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Thanks For sharing :win: Will have to get some of those hooks for sure
Cheers F&C
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Kaptein - you are promoted to be General of the Micro Fishermen!
thanks for a great article
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Thanks, only a pleasure!
Would like to see what rigs everyone else are using.
I'm putting an order together for Owner tanago hooks (my supply is running low) so anyone interested can contact me to order. They come in packs of 21 hooks @ R60 a pop. Not bad if you consider what we're paying for bass hooks and the like.
Will try and put together articles on some of the other rigs I use for larger micros.
Cheers
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At the moment im experimenting with a 2 hook trace, but the micros have been scarce in the freshwater, dont know why. 2 size 22 Mustad hooks (J) with one hook snelled about 3 cm above the bottom hook and then a split shot approximately 5cm above the snelled hook, tied onto a minute power swivel and then onto a ultra ultra light setup, fly tippet, bit heavier than yours though until I visit the shop again, at 2.1kgs.
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Cool!
Your trace sounds like a mini version of a barbel trace - they also use a snelled hook up the line to hook bigger baits.
Cheers
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Very interesting subject , that hook snelling tool ..... hmmmmmmm.. thats interesting , did you source it locally ..? and does it come in various sizes . ? Thanks Mike .
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Kapt. I'll take a pack of those hooks if you don't mind?
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Captain, amazing and beautiful!
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Very interesting subject , that hook snelling tool ..... hmmmmmmm.. thats interesting , did you source it locally ..? and does it come in various sizes . ? Thanks Mike .
Yes, they are available at some local tackle shops. Got mine directly from Werner Lubbe (The Bank Angler Magazine) but I've seen them at Western Accessories in Krugersdorp and Little Falls General Dealers.
Think you just have to shop around a bit and you'll find them, otherwise you can order them from the UK, but postage a big issue cost wise. Most of their match anglers use them as most of the hooks they use are spade-ended.
The Stonfo one I have is a small (Piccola) model, but they also come in a bigger (Grande) model for bigger hook sizes.
Hope this helps?
Cheers
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Kapt. I'll take a pack of those hooks if you don't mind?
Sure, REEFMAN I'll put you down for a packet.
Send me an e-mail at wernernell@webmail.co.za so we can discuss it off-forum - sure no selling allowed ...
Cheers
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Very interesting subject , that hook snelling tool ..... hmmmmmmm.. thats interesting , did you source it locally ..? and does it come in various sizes . ? Thanks Mike .
Yes, they are available at some local tackle shops. Got mine directly from Werner Lubbe (The Bank Angler Magazine) but I've seen them at Western Accessories in Krugersdorp and Little Falls General Dealers.
Think you just have to shop around a bit and you'll find them, otherwise you can order them from the UK, but postage a big issue cost wise. Most of their match anglers use them as most of the hooks they use are spade-ended.
The Stonfo one I have is a small (Piccola) model, but they also come in a bigger (Grande) model for bigger hook sizes.
Hope this helps?
Cheers
Nice article Kpt . You must have dam good eyes to see them #32 hooks :hyst: .
Do you know where Little Falls General Dealers has moved to ?
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Very interesting subject , that hook snelling tool ..... hmmmmmmm.. thats interesting , did you source it locally ..? and does it come in various sizes . ? Thanks Mike .
Yes, they are available at some local tackle shops. Got mine directly from Werner Lubbe (The Bank Angler Magazine) but I've seen them at Western Accessories in Krugersdorp and Little Falls General Dealers.
Think you just have to shop around a bit and you'll find them, otherwise you can order them from the UK, but postage a big issue cost wise. Most of their match anglers use them as most of the hooks they use are spade-ended.
The Stonfo one I have is a small (Piccola) model, but they also come in a bigger (Grande) model for bigger hook sizes.
Hope this helps?
Cheers
Nice article Kpt . You must have dam good eyes to see them #32 hooks :hyst: .
Do you know where Little Falls General Dealers has moved to ?
Yes, I'm the only member of my family who doesn't wear glasses or contacts!
Little Falls General Dealers are now in Krugersdorp, No 4 Barratt Road, Factoria, 011 664 8563
Cheers
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Thanks Mate :bow:
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Awesome article!! :shk Have go no cooking clue about micro fishing but this one filled in alot of gaps I was going to ask. Nice one :+ cred:
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m :+ cred:
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Well done! Nominated for post of the month!
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Ha, thanks!
What do I win ... (bat ...?
Cheers
Werner