Q&A

LRF

Q: For LRF, would you see any problem with tying lures direct to the braid, or would you always use a leader? WILL FOSTER, BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX

AK & DS say:

Yes, always use a leader when using a braid mainline for LRF. First, a light fluorocarbon leader of around 4lb will be much less visible to small fish, especially when fishing slow presentations. You’ll find fluorocarbon easier to knot.

Once you’ve tied a decent leader knot, it will hopefully last a few sessions and allow you to easily change lures multiple times. Fluorocarbon is tougher than braid and will offer some abrasionresistance when fishing around rocks, stone quays and pier legs.

Finally, fluorocarbon offers a little stretch compared to braid that has none. It’s as good as a shock-absorber, without losing too much feel. We recommend the uni-to-uni (double grinner) as an easy leader knot to learn.

Q: Why would I use soft plastic lures instead of Isome and Gulp for LRF? SHANE HINTON, BY EMAIL

AK & DS say: Ignoring livebait, flavoured worms like Isome and Gulp will often generate the most bites and catch you the highest number of fish.

However, they won't catch every species – there are better choices for bass, mackerel, scad and garfish, for example. We'd argue that there's more enjoyment in tricking a fish into taking a non-flavoured, non-edible lure.

We quite often joke about "fishing on the hard setting" and we see it in our own LRF sessions where one relatively ordinary fish trumps all other catches because of the way it was intentionally captured. A goby on a metal, perhaps, a scorpion fish on a creature bait, or a pollack on a tiny surface lure.