Introduction
Light rock fishing has become a passion for me just within a couple of weeks.To be honest, in the beginning I was very sceptical about finesse fishing and light fishing techniques.The first question that comes to mind is whether this technique yields positive results. "Would it be worthwhile to invest a lot of time and money into LRF when all you can catch is small fish". "And would it be worth it to invest in the equipment, when you can catch the same fishing using live bait and extremely cheap tackle?"
Those are the same questions that I asked myself when I was faced with the decision whether or not to invest in such a technique. I can assure that, YES, it is all worth it. I would like to explain in detail what Light Rock Fishing is, from the perspective of a fisherman that does not mind a different approach to the traditional spinning technique.
Light rock fishing is a fishing technique quite recently introduced here in Malta and other neighbouring counties, which is fast-growing and becoming a very practical technique used by many anglers.If you look at the words that make up the name of the technique LIGHT ROCK FISHING (LRF), you can already get a pretty good idea of what to expect.
• Light: lightness, using equipment capable of managing baits from 0.5 grams to a maximum of 7-8 grams.
• Rock: Rocks will be the main spot where we're going to undermine our prey. Bottom fish, living in this habitat, are the main prey of light rock fishing.
• Fishing: Well .. this is easy .. certainly not fishing from the comfort of home!
Doing the right decision - what tackle to use...
The Rod
The rod is a vital part in every fishing technique.Through experience I have understood that the best length for your LRF rod shall be that between 7 feet and 8 feet. On various occasions, I have found that longer and shorter rods can be very useful. However, a rod which is between the above mentioned measures will be comfortable enough for you to fish easily from harbours, pontoons and easy access rocky areas where casting distance is not a necessity .
Ultra light rods sometimes come with solid tips, instead of tubular, for super sensitivity. Complimented with fast action, these rods will get you into encountering some interesting predators. With experience, you will start to understand, explore and appreciate the difference, and compliment these with your own preferences.
The Reel
The reel is another extremely vital part of your LRF setup! Try to choose a small, front drag reel. Many are sceptic about sizes, in the range of 1000-2000, but it is extremely surprising what you can fish with such small and quality reels. I can assure you that a quality 1000 reel is capable of landing even 3kg+ fish! Small reels are essential with ultra light fishing rods, as they perfectly balance with such rods. Rest assured that even the smallest reel will hold enough PE line for your LRF!!
The Line
In my opinion, your line is the most important aspect of your LRF tackle! Choosing the best line for your light rock fishing is no easy task, but it is extremely important to choose the best possible option that suits your needs. This can vary from direct Fluorocarbon or Fluorocoated lines, to more sophisticated PE lines.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbons have come a long way over the past 10 years. Originally they were very stiff, and very difficult to tie knots with. I believe that the advantages of using fluorocarbon are its invisibility in water and greater abrasion resistance, with the latter being the most important when finesse fishing using bottom jig techniques. Fluorocarbons are also being designed to be softer, easier to tie, and cheaper than previous years.
Knots
Tying extremely thin PE lines and fluorocarbons together may be a difficult task at hand, due to the thinness of the lines. Over the last couple of months I have been a bit sceptic about discussing this subject, as there are several ideas circulating around, however I finally convinced myself that this would be a very important topic for the any angler who approaches the light game. Especially those who approach this technique without first practising other spinning techniques.
The knots that I am going to discuss here are those that I personally use, and which have been tested several times to success:-
- Arbor (knot to tie the PE line to the reel spool);
- Improved Clinch (knot to tie jig-heads, swivels, hooks with eye, etc.)
- Peixet (junction knot PE Line --> Fluorocarbon)
As for the Peixet knot, that allows to tie thin braided lines with thin FC, this is a knot that I have learnt with the help of a friend of mine, Mr. Alex Santoro, an Italian who forms part of the Akua Pro Staff team, and is a collaborator of several tackle manufacturers. He has a vast experience on Light Rock Fishing.
I discussed this subject in detail with Alex, and both came to the conclusion that the Peixet is a better alternative that the Tony Pegna knot, which we both used in the past.
After personally using the Peixet knot for the first time, I could immediately appreciate the huge benefits that this knot brings about, in terms of output, tightness and ease of execution, both in the medium-heavy spinning techniques, and now in LRF!
Here I will show you a step-by-step guide on how to execute this knot, through the help of photos and tips by Alex. The images are copyright of Mr. Alex Santoro, who gave me a special permission to share them this article for your benefit:
Lures, including hard baits and soft baits, jig heads and other accessories, are an extremely vital part of your LRF tackle. A light game fish grip is essential if you want to practice C&R, and in order to handle dangerous bottom fish like scorpion fish, which is found and caught commonly on LRF tackle.
The knots that I am going to discuss here are those that I personally use, and which have been tested several times to success:-
- Arbor (knot to tie the PE line to the reel spool);
- Improved Clinch (knot to tie jig-heads, swivels, hooks with eye, etc.)
- Peixet (junction knot PE Line --> Fluorocarbon)
As for the Peixet knot, that allows to tie thin braided lines with thin FC, this is a knot that I have learnt with the help of a friend of mine, Mr. Alex Santoro, an Italian who forms part of the Akua Pro Staff team, and is a collaborator of several tackle manufacturers. He has a vast experience on Light Rock Fishing.
I discussed this subject in detail with Alex, and both came to the conclusion that the Peixet is a better alternative that the Tony Pegna knot, which we both used in the past.
After personally using the Peixet knot for the first time, I could immediately appreciate the huge benefits that this knot brings about, in terms of output, tightness and ease of execution, both in the medium-heavy spinning techniques, and now in LRF!
Here I will show you a step-by-step guide on how to execute this knot, through the help of photos and tips by Alex. The images are copyright of Mr. Alex Santoro, who gave me a special permission to share them this article for your benefit:
Step 1
With the fluorocarbon, create a simple knot, and then repeat the operation in order to have a node with two laps.
Step 2 & 3
Tighten the knot a little bit, in order to achieve a sort of a figure of eight, but inverted! Image 3 shows the result that we will get after completion of step the above mentioned step, the "inverted eight"...
Step 4
Now is the time to start passing the PE line through the "inverted eight", as shown in the detailed picture below.
Step 5
After you pass the PE Line, make 15 turns around the fluorocarbon with the same PE Line.
Step 6
Repeat the process in the opposite direction, with 15 turns upwards now. Be very careful to match the coils with the gaps left in step 5, and then pass the free end of the PE line again through the "inverted eight"
Step 7
Now is the time that you lubricate the sliding parts of the knot, and carefully start to pull all the 3 active leaders. This is shown in the picture below, and by doing so. you will be tightening the knot.
Step 8
Finally, just cut the excess fluorocarbon and PE Line a few millimetres from the node and you're done. There is no need to burn the excess, as you greatly risk to weaken the knot due to excessive heat.
Step 9
The Final result.
Lures & Accessories
Lures, including hard baits and soft baits, jig heads and other accessories, are an extremely vital part of your LRF tackle. A light game fish grip is essential if you want to practice C&R, and in order to handle dangerous bottom fish like scorpion fish, which is found and caught commonly on LRF tackle.
There is a vast range of light rock fishing lures and accessories on the market. At www.fishwiselures.com we distribute a vast range of products, including some top worldwide brands such as Reins, Keitech, Damiki, YGK, and Black Flagg. Visit our website to discover more!!
Conclusion
Finesse fishing has become another part of saltwater spinning. It is a world full of emotions, unexpected catches, and colours. I hope that I have been of help with this article. Personally, I would like to thank Mr. Alex Santoro for all his help and support. Please feel free to contact me on info@fishwiselures.com should you want to discuss further more. Thank you for reading this article !!
Other Pictures
