Stickbaits, pluggs and spoons

We are planning a trip to Canda Island in Moz this summer but want to try some different things than the usual trolling and drifting for Cuta etc. Canda has a shallow reef,  lateral to the beach about 30-50m form the beach. The structure is usually exposed at low tide and totally covered at high tide. There are roomers of big Kingies in the region and we want to find them.

I know everybody would say use poppers but we need to take a variety of lures up there and stickbaits, spoons and pluggs seemed the obvious choice. Now my question how do I use the stickbaits, pluggs and spoons?  What should my retrieve be like? I am totally new to this kind of fishing and your help would be greatly appreciated.

A copy paste about stickbaits:

Stickbaits generally work best in calm to slight conditions. Although very effective, they do have very little in-built action – and at their best can be hard work to induce strikes (action isn’t as effective) in heavier seas. Lighter floating stickbaits are best in calmer conditions, whereas, heavier sinking versions can be used just about anywhere in between – especially in the rough stuff.


There are several techniques used to work the different configurations of stickbaits (floating and sinking).
 

Lighter, floating stickbaits can be worked in two ways:

1. Above surface - Involves working the stickbait quickly to imitate a fleeing and frightened baitfish. This style is best achieved by positioning your rod in a forward position, holding the rod tip high, occasional high side sweeps and cranking as quickly as possible. Add some up and down movement with your rod-holding hand with some occasional pauses thrown in.

2. Subsurface (within 1 metre) – by far the most productive and favoured technique - point the rod tip down, long side sweeps will cause the stickbait to dive and ‘zip’ for several metres before breaching the surface. ‘Follow through’ with the rod tip to get a good sweep. Consecutive rod snaps and jerks will also give some good action to the lure. Pause for a moment as the stickbait bobs – repeat action.

 
Sinking stickbaits as their name suggests, sink. Best retrieval technique is to apply the subsurface technique of the floating stickbait (2) however, the stickbait should sink to an ideal depth of around one metre or to where fish are holding (not too deep because they have been known to get snagged!). With some higher rod work, they can also be used to breach and porpoise along the surface.



Also look at this thread by nepps, a video about poppers & stickbaits

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=22327&forum_id=67

Casting spoons, again basic stuff


The basic technique for a casting spoon is a no-brainer:  Cast it out and reel it back.  The only trick is to find the proper retrieve speed.

Cast the spoons to specific targets and begin reeling in the second the spoon goes into the water. Vary the speed of your retrieve in accordance to how the fish react to the lure. Slow down your reeling if the fish seem loathe to chase a faster presentation. Reel in quickly if it continues to elicit strikes from fish.

great info from FEDU
were you getting stickbaits /poppers from?? what rods/reels are you using. fishing from shore or boat, braid or nylon? best would be nylon plugs[chiselnose], aubrey dagama plugs in nylon/wood 4oz - 6oz not expensive great lures .adheck poppers you can get cheap under 200.00 . expect to pay plenty for poppers, stickbaits in south africa .best you check out overseas forums for some good deals in secondhand poppers/stickbaits.PM me you can test a few poppers for me.

Thanx for the info Fedu. Like you said we just have to see what works.

TW thanks for the PM. Will definitely give you a ring closer to the time.

There is so much information on the net and it is great to hear from peoples personal experiences rather than a company just int rested in selling their own product.