Targeting Flat fish

[krissi]

Guys, I have looked in the forum, but maybe experiencing a blonde moment here - so didn't find anything. 
 
We will be targeting blue rays, lessers (read WK and pretty ok with these), raggies, kob (also pretty ok, but tips always welcome) and blue fish (bronze bream - read these too) at Border in Feb 2012.
 
I would like to do some practising and research now, so any info, esp on the flat fish and raggies, would be much appreciated. Please bear in mind that sliding is out, so its throw baits and although I can cast a fair distance, I still battle with heavy throw baits.
 
Thanks

[WalkersKiller]

Hi Krissi,

Love targeting Lessers and Blue Rays... Here is some more advice if I can possibly assist...

All depending on what size Raggies you want to target without a doubt the ugliest bloody smelly throw bait would be the best. Also does not have to be a big bait... A bit of Chokka wrapped around the bait will protect it from peckers... Sandys and Blue Rays love fish head baits and chop baits sardine is an absolute 

[Willie]

Krissi from a novice I use chokka and sardine and I cast into where the wave rolls over when on a sand bank. Caught a couple of flat fish this way. All of them were caught quite close about 50 mtr.

[Willie]

Sorry to add on I use a 2/0 hook and 3 ounce sinker when I go for these.

[WalkersKiller]

When specifically targeting Lessers and Blue Rays, I use a 4-5 ounce sinker and 6/0 - 8/0 Kendall Round hook

[doc]

Krissi,
 
I normally fish for lesser's and blue rays using a double hook trace with a size 2 big gun hook on top and a kendal round 4/0 on the bottom hook.
 
I use a sardine cutlet or belly bait (must be soft and bloody) on the bottom hook and a chokka blob bait on the top hook. I have caught many a blue ray and lesser on the top blob bait as well as kob and pignose grunter. I have also seen double ups on this setup.
 
If the lesser or the blue ray takes the top hook he normally pulls you flat.
 
If the water is very dirty stay away from the chokka because it is a magnet for barbel well that is my experience in PE and Jeffries on our last league.
 
Hope this helps

[krissi]

Thanks guys - keep it coming    I have a huge mental block when it comes to double traces - fishing southern cape for lessers and I have never got so many overwinds in my life as when we had to use those double traces - need to seriously work on that this Xmas at my folks and target lessers with it on the beach as it seems to be deadly.
 
 

[icstuff]

These are the traces we used for the central Gauteng League – We scratched but we also caught lost of small sandies lots of cob, the one chap caught 4 cob on the small hook of the double trace and lost the fifth, they where all between 60 - 90cm. I modified Reefman’s pics (My apologies). Also the combo trace lower

[icstuff]

Use no 7 diachi top and a 7/0 bottom

[Manuel Junior]

 :shre: :shre:

[adam]

Target the side or back edges of sandbanks for blue rays and sandies.  A sardine head with a fillet or two wrapped around works great.  I personally use pike or flapped mullet (if available) for them.
Try this little bait   http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php/topic,1156.msg7827.html#msg7827
This specific spot has a gully close inshore with a sandbank about 40m out.  Don't be afraid to fish closer than usual for these flatfish - if the conditions are good they will be there. 
 

[krissi]

Thanks icstuff - will practise those 
PS I have to tell you that I LOVE ur pic - it makes me laugh every time I see it 
Thanks adam - its the blue rays that I need more info on, which I'm getting thanks to all of you 

[nico]

Hi Krissi,

Love targeting Lessers and Blue Rays... Here is some more advice if I can possibly assist...

All depending on what size Raggies you want to target without a doubt the ugliest bloody smelly throw bait would be the best. Also does not have to be a big bait... A bit of Chokka wrapped around the bait will protect it from peckers... Sandys and Blue Rays love fish head baits and chop baits sardine is an absolute 

What's the biggest Raggie and BR you've caught WK?
 

[adam]

here's a lekker fat one.  around 80cm if I remember correctly

[krissi]

here's a lekker fat one.  around 80cm if I remember correctly

Awesome - looks like a pregnant female from that fat tummy    beautiful fish

[krissi]

Thanks for that thread adam - I had a look - one q - from the photo it looks as if the chokka is bound to the back of the bait - do you twist it from the side so the tassles lie behind? Looks an awesome bait and one I def will try but with red-eye, macki or sard.

[adam]

Thanks for that thread adam - I had a look - one q - from the photo it looks as if the chokka is bound to the back of the bait - do you twist it from the side so the tassles lie behind? Looks an awesome bait and one I def will try but with red-eye, macki or sard.

I cut the piece of chokka like you would normally do if you tie it to the back of a belly bait, etc.  Except, I leave a extra piece on the one side.  Now the bait will cover the side of the head while still having the tassles at the bottom.  Now that I look at it, it kinda looks like a pregnant tummy.
My paint skills aren't very good, but here goes