Cichlid lures/baits
- Thread starter zenyoungkoh
- Start date
Hey there.. The 8lbs line u have is fine as your main line.. but for your Leader I would use 12lbs - 14lbs "fluorocarbon" no less.. because cichlids have teeth and when they take a lure they belt it hard!!! But I have found the lighter the better.. So 12lbs to 14lbs "fluorocarbon" for leader.. It doesn't need to be the best!! just "Berkley vanish" is what I use for all my lure fishing.. the fluorocarbon will not reflect light so it will be invisible under water.. and the thin line with no stretch is very sensitive.. As far as lures for cichlids.. First thing to get for lure fishing is a pack of small size snaps this will allow u to change lure without cutting or tying nots.. And will also make ur lure swim more natural and freely (like a loop knot but stronger) I would use soft plastics.. Use a light jig head with a small size hook.. For styles of plastics I would go for a small sized wriggler (preferably under 50mm).. And also use the "powerbait minnow" in the "pumpkin seed" colour.. Get the 3" size minnow and cut about 1" off the head end making it smaller.. As for technique.. Cast out and let your plastic sink, then give it 2 hard twitches lifting your plastic about 1m - 2m of the bottom Keep this distance from the bottom and retrieve by just gently twitching.. U want the plastic to just twitch Up and drop down about 30cm up then a 30cm drop This will make your plastic look and act just like a small shrimp which is what they are after.. And use brown and green plastics that are dark or similar to the colour of the water or the colour of the bottom natural colours will work best for cichlids .. U can use this technique in any depth of water still or moving.. If u are not getting any hits down Deep then u can try closer to the top.. Go 10 casts deep then, 10 mid range, then 10 closer to the top, untill u find the fish.. But if u do as I have said and u use the "pumpkin seed" minnow "cut down" u should do alright.. And remember.. fish are where the structure is.. And Cichlids pull hard and will keep pulling untill they get u snagged in the structure.. So keep the pressure on and ur line tight and u should get some nice fish.. I am going to try put up some pics of plastics I would use.. !!.Good luck.!! And happy fishing!!
Ok cool thanks for that.. Could u do me a favour and tell me how to upload a profile pic
