Targeting Garrick/Leervis off a boat

[Prego]

So 1 of my 2 aims this winter is to target Garrick/Leervis from the boat. I picked up the basics from a few shows on TV but would really appreciate your inputs.
As I have it
Step 1
Collect bait either shad or preferably mullet ( how & where would one get mullet off Durban?)
Step 2
Find suitable water to target  ( what must we look for rips, white water working?)
Step 3
Go in as close & safely possible to the breakers drop your pinned livie on 1 single through the top jaw on flouro carbon, free spool & move out of surf zone to safety
Step 4
Do you tighten the drag very lightly or keep it on free spool

Your inputs and corrections would be greatly appreciated
 

[Big Van]

Hi Prego
I have the same aim for this winter. I've missed out last winter on some nice garrick been caught from the side at Uvongo at Orange rocks. The guys have used shad as livies from the rocks with a slide trace into the water. It is so much easier from the boat. I know Bwana has caught a couple from the boat at PortShepstone river mouth. He uses shad as livebait with a circle hook and 50 lb fluoroleader.
We had a chat about targeting garrick this July (16-23) and will be launching from Shelly. We will have the at least three easy spot to go and target garrick within 7 kilorange from the launch. Your method of targeting garrick sounds perfect.
Lets get them
 

[Half-Pint]

I would say live shad is a better choice than mullet. With shad the smaller the better in fact what often happens is the 30cm shad you put out loses some weight from all that swimming these tend to get picked up sooner

[jaenswart]

Hi Guys,

I've targeted Garrick with big success of Durban.

Let me tell you how I do it, and others can give input:

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MY WAY OF CATCHING GARRICK IS DANGEROUS AND ONLY TO BE ATTEMPTED BY WAKKER SKIPPERS. SKIPPERS DO NOT FISH.PERIOD

ok, with that out of the way.

I've found that both shad and mackerel work well for garrick and both are easy to get off Durbs. You can get Mackerel from the normal bait spots, and shad anywhere at the nets opposite the main beach piers:

Tackle: I use my normal couta rods and reels;
            I use a single circle hook tied on 40lb fluorocarbon

Area: Blue lagoon, hypermarket or any other river mouth  area:

Tactic: I drive behind the back-line and look for sandbank that are about 40m from shore.
           If I get a sand bank with a nice deep gully next to it, I will rig 2 rods with baits. 1 rod per crew member.
           I wait for my chance in the breakers and when safe I run in to the sandbank, my crew drop-cast their baits on the bank I get us out of there to just   
           behind the back-line, safe. There I sit and wait boat just idling, point towards the sea.

The bite: ok,firstly both rods are completely free spool all the time, not even a ratchet, garrick will feel it.crew member thumb lightly on spool.
When a crew member senses a pickup, we let the fish run...it will stop running after 20s or so, scaling the bait. It will then come back and eat it. Midway through the second run I gradually turn up the drag and let the circle do it's job. Fish on !!

I repeat this throughout the day. My most fish in a day off hypermarket area with this tactic was 43 garrick, largest 17kg.

Some okes slow troll behind the back-line with bait, and although this will get the odd fish, it is not nearly as productive as working the sand banks close in.

Garrick poppers also works, but not nearly as good as bait. But on days where the surf is big this might be your only way of getting onto the sandbank with big casts.

Let me know if you need anything else.

[Prego]

I would say live shad is a better choice than mullet. With shad the smaller the better in fact what often happens is the 30cm shad you put out loses some weight from all that swimming these tend to get picked up sooner

  I hear you MB!!

[Prego]

Hi Prego
I have the same aim for this winter. I've missed out last winter on some nice garrick been caught from the side at Uvongo at Orange rocks. The guys have used shad as livies from the rocks with a slide trace into the water. It is so much easier from the boat. I know Bwana has caught a couple from the boat at PortShepstone river mouth. He uses shad as livebait with a circle hook and 50 lb fluoroleader.
We had a chat about targeting garrick this July (16-23) and will be launching from Shelly. We will have the at least three easy spot to go and target garrick within 7 kilorange from the launch. Your method of targeting garrick sounds perfect.
Lets get them
 

Thanks BV,  with  to you too.

[Prego]

Hi Guys,

I've targeted Garrick with big success of Durban.

Let me tell you how I do it, and others can give input:

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MY WAY OF CATCHING GARRICK IS DANGEROUS AND ONLY TO BE ATTEMPTED BY WAKKER SKIPPERS. SKIPPERS DO NOT FISH.PERIOD

ok, with that out of the way.

I've found that both shad and mackerel work well for garrick and both are easy to get off Durbs. You can get Mackerel from the normal bait spots, and shad anywhere at the nets opposite the main beach piers:

Tackle: I use my normal couta rods and reels;
            I use a single circle hook tied on 40lb fluorocarbon

Area: Blue lagoon, hypermarket or any other river mouth  area:

Tactic: I drive behind the back-line and look for sandbank that are about 40m from shore.
           If I get a sand bank with a nice deep gully next to it, I will rig 2 rods with baits. 1 rod per crew member.
           I wait for my chance in the breakers and when safe I run in to the sandbank, my crew drop-cast their baits on the bank I get us out of there to just   
           behind the back-line, safe. There I sit and wait boat just idling, point towards the sea.

The bite: ok,firstly both rods are completely free spool all the time, not even a ratchet, garrick will feel it.crew member thumb lightly on spool.
When a crew member senses a pickup, we let the fish run...it will stop running after 20s or so, scaling the bait. It will then come back and eat it. Midway through the second run I gradually turn up the drag and let the circle do it's job. Fish on !!

I repeat this throughout the day. My most fish in a day off hypermarket area with this tactic was 43 garrick, largest 17kg.

Some okes slow troll behind the back-line with bait, and although this will get the odd fish, it is not nearly as productive as working the sand banks close in.

Garrick poppers also works, but not nearly as good as bait. But on days where the surf is big this might be your only way of getting onto the sandbank with big casts.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks Jaen, very informative and just the sought of post I was looking for. What size circles do you use?
PS. Wakky skipper is right   

Keep them coming gents.

[CLS]

  are fantastic fish to catch, the fight puts a couta to shame, they never give up. Jean is 100% correct. I use 2/0 mustard hoodlems back to back and pin through the top lip. I do as Jean suggests but if i get no pulls after 10 - 15min I troll slowly on one motor just in gear (other idling in neutral ready for the great escape) till I reach another likely spot and go in drop the baits. I have also found keep rotating the live baits with fresh ones, the others put back in the live well to catch their breath back.
Please be very carefull when targeting garrick, it is dangerous. If there are a few boats be carefull not to be trapped on the inside as it could end up nasty if a set comes through.If you do get trapped, head for the shore and wait in the trough always moving away from your lines, when the sea settles go out again. Very exciting type of fishing. I tell my crew if i yell HOLD TIGHT dont ask questions just do it. Good luck, see you on the water this winter. My lucky month for them is September.

[Prego]

are fantastic fish to catch, the fight puts a couta to shame, they never give up. Jean is 100% correct. I use 2/0 mustard hoodlems back to back and pin through the top lip. I do as Jean suggests but if i get no pulls after 10 - 15min I troll slowly on one motor just in gear (other idling in neutral ready for the great escape) till I reach another likely spot and go in drop the baits. I have also found keep rotating the live baits with fresh ones, the others put back in the live well to catch their breath back.
Please be very carefull when targeting garrick, it is dangerous. If there are a few boats be carefull not to be trapped on the inside as it could end up nasty if a set comes through.If you do get trapped, head for the shore and wait in the trough always moving away from your lines, when the sea settles go out again. Very exciting type of fishing. I tell my crew if i yell HOLD TIGHT dont ask questions just do it. Good luck, see you on the water this winter. My lucky month for them is September.

Thanks for sharing CLS, can you explain to hooks back to back I am little confused by that 

[jaenswart]

Thanks Jaen, very informative and just the sought of post I was looking for. What size circles do you use?
PS. Wakky skipper is right 

Keep them coming gents.

mmhh, circles are very different in size depending on manufacturer. Bottom line is small, but gape big enough with about 1.5cm clearance.

[jaenswart]

Thanks for sharing CLS, can you explain to hooks back to back I am little confused by that 

chained. If you do not use a live bait crimp like I do, or a bridle rig, you can chain your hooks onto each other

[CLS]

Hi Prego. I take the 2 hooks, put them back to back, line up the eyes and bind them together (on the shank 5mm) with double ghost cotton then put on some superglue,(can colour the cotton with a black marker) this is to hold then tight so as not to twist. The one goes through the lip and the other stands proud above. I only use 2/0 as the garrick are very shy and will feel the hook.

[SAfish]

I have read about another tactic where the guys idle just behind the back line with their livies in the water. They then cast plugs toward the surf and the Garrick will follow it out and then take the live bait. It might be a less risky option but you still need an awake skipper.

[Prego]

Hi Prego. I take the 2 hooks, put them back to back, line up the eyes and bind them together (on the shank 5mm) with double ghost cotton then put on some superglue,(can colour the cotton with a black marker) this is to hold then tight so as not to twist. The one goes through the lip and the other stands proud above. I only use 2/0 as the garrick are very shy and will feel the hook.

Understood thanks.

[Prego]

I have read about another tactic where the guys idle just behind the back line with their livies in the water. They then cast plugs toward the surf and the Garrick will follow it out and then take the live bait. It might be a less risky option but you still need an awake skipper.

Yip that's how the ESA boys did it on the tele........ 

[benniejordaan]

Don't over complicate it.
Use either a single circle or live bait hook about 6/0. Pin through the nostrils or the circle through the top lip. Clip a small piece of the top of the tail off. Mackerel will outfish any bait!!! Go as close to backline as your balls allow and pitch your bait. Move out and start throwing plugs. A small sinker will also help! A mackerel will swim out to sea faster than you can move your boat out if you don't weight it or cut the tail.

[benniejordaan]

OH, you will find them at blue lagoon!

[Prego]

Don't over complicate it.
Use either a single circle or live bait hook about 6/0. Pin through the nostrils or the circle through the top lip. Clip a small piece of the top of the tail off. Mackerel will outfish any bait!!! Go as close to backline as your balls allow and pitch your bait. Move out and start throwing plugs. A small sinker will also help! A mackerel will swim out to sea faster than you can move your boat out if you don't weight it or cut the tail.

Thanx Bennie I think I'll cut the tail has I think keeping the presentation looking as  natural as possible with the Garrick seems to be very important. Shot.

Keep it coming gents.
 

[Cam Mundy]

What are you guys using to get your live shad I tend to only get them on a lucky hookup on Yo-zuris otherwise I just pull up the string minus all the hooks.

[Prego]

We use mustad 1. 0 bait rigs when the shad are around, works a charm

What are you guys using to get your live shad I tend to only get them on a lucky hookup on Yo-zuris otherwise I just pull up the string minus all the hooks.
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