As there has been some interest on working stickbaits, I thought it might be useful if I posted a thread on some of the stickbaits are out there, their availability, their effectiveness, what conditions they work in etc etc.
Please note what is below is only my opinion and if anyone has different views or can add to what I have posted, please do so. One of the objectives of this site is to share information among GT fishos and if any of you have a way of using these which works well for you, I'm sure the rest of us would love to know it!
Stickbaits have really started to become very popular and are now viewed as an essential in the lure bag of any keen GT fisherman. Like poppers, there are many many different types of stickbaits out there and there are subtle differences between them and they way in which they work best.
In the attached photo, there are seven stickbaits. From the top:
Plat Billy - a new stickbait and a biggie. I haven't actually had the opportunity to test this out fishing but I have tested the action out. It's a surface stickbait and a floater. This type of stickbait generally works best with reasonably smooth and fast sweeps of the rod tip from pointing at the lure and then sweep the rod to one side. I have a personal view that these are not really suitable for anything but good conditions but perhaps someone has worked out a way to fish these in rough conditions. This stickbait is available on occasion from Plat (
www.plat.co.jp)
Carpenter Gamma - I supppose I would say that perhaps this stickbait has a bigger reputation than anything else out there but in my view, a lot of this is attributable to its rarity. There is no doubt it is a highly effective stickbait but it is among the hardest lures to obtain that I know of. This is also a surface stickbait and works best with the same type of action as I described above for the Plat. In my opinion and experience, very much a fair weathered friend. In rouch conditions, I can't keep it from breaking the surface. In terms of availablity, I'm sorry but I have no idea where you are going to be able to get one from!
Heru Wahoo - A relatively new lure that is now widely available. They are distributed by Bluewater and Nomad Sportfishing locally. This stickbait is also a floater but is far better in rough conditions than the two above. I have found this to be effective in all conditions. If you're going to carry one stickbait, I think I would recommend this due to its availability and all round effectiveness in all conditions. I think it would be fair for me to say that its effectiveness is not in question - Nomad Sportfishing absolutely swear by it. This lure works well with an action like what I described above but also seems to work well when retrieved slowly with little twitches of the rod tip. This stickbait is also effective when trolled but please note that you will need to set it back a long way otherwise it will break the surface continually. if this lure had just an ounce more weight in it, it would be amazing. if I have the time, I am going to drill out a couple and add some lead to it and then test this out.
Orion Bigfoot - one of my two favourite stickbaits. the Bigfoot is a sinker (which I prefer) and works best when permitted to sink and retrieved with a darting action. I have found ti is best to dart it, let it sink and then start darting it again. I use a slowish retrieve but I make the darting action quite erratic. I have seen GTs absolutely smash this after following it to the surface when you let it sink and do a few little twitches with the rod tip to simulate an injured or sick fish. In my opinion, the most effective stickbait I have used in rough conditions. When its gloomy with little sun, the pink and white version (as pictured here) is my "go to" lure. The lure is not available in Australia but can be sourced from
www.caranx.net or direct from its maker, Eric Le Guyader.
Smith Big Runboh - my other favourite stickbait. The Runboh to me was always a fair weathered friend and was never that effective for me until the day I whacked on a couple of big Recorder trebles which caused it to sink. I then found a stickbait which I could work very similarly to the Bigfoot but whch when you initiated a long pull to the side (the action I recommend with the floaters above), really comes alive. All fish seem to like this stickbait. I have found this to be the most effective stickbait for me. Now the bad news - Smith have stopped making the Runboh.
I can't remember the brand of this one! I wish I did because it is extremely effective. This is an interesting stickbait because it is actually a fast sinker unlike the others and I tend to let it sink and retrieve with a fast stop/start jerky action. i got these from the Angler's Hut in Singapore. A great stickbait for all conditions. Unfortunately they onyl come in this size. If only they came in the size of the Plat Billy!
Smith Runboh Junior - see above for Big Runboh
