FAST WATER FLOW POINTS

Summer is a great time of the year for handing out gifts, catching up with family, drinking with old friends and more importantly targeting freshwater natives in fast-flowing sections of the rivers and creeks. Fish tend to frequent these sections due to it being cooler, highly oxygenated and more importantly a great place to grab a fresh feed of unsuspecting baitfish and crustaceans flowing down in the wash. Here are a few quick tips for smashing the quick stuff on your next mission.

SLIM SHADY

When it comes to choosing a lure we find slimmer profile lures are always a great option. Lures with a wide profile have a tendency to grab more water, get caught up in the flow and quickly rush out of the strike zone. This rule applies to both surface and sub-surface lures. A few TG favourites can be found below. 

SURFACE

• Shimano Triple Impact 130/140
• Jackall Chan Wake
• Evergreen Noisy Dachs

SUB-SURFACE

• Jackall TN70, 80 and Doozer
• STORM RIP Shad
• DUO Realis Chank 87 20A

SHALLOW? NEVER HEARD OF HER

Too often we are guilty of neglecting fast water sections because they are ‘too shallow’. I am continually surprised by how little water our freshwater natives are happy to sit in. In these sections, we opt for slower sinking lures or more recently the unweighted Beaver baits which stay off the bottom and in the strike zone for longer periods of times giving you the best chance of a strike.

C – LOCK IT IN EDDIE

Look for Eddies (slack water behind mid water obsticale) in the fast water and bring your lure through these areas from as many angles as possible. Remember these zones for when the sun goes down and ensure you drag your surface lure over them as well. This steady water gives the fish a well-deserved rest from the current and is the perfect hiding place to ambush food coming down in the flow.

RESPECT THE HOOK-UP

Don’t be too quick to call your fish as a tiddler until you get a visual. The fast water has a habit of making small fish use the flow to their advantage and pull like freight trains and monsters feel like a fouled up crankbait. Keep your wits about you until you’re sure of what you’re up against and play the fight accordingly.

RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME

Just because you caught one fish in the fast water doesn’t mean it’s time to move on. Native fish tend to use these areas as feeding zones with new fish regularly making their way to prominent points for a quick feed. We always make a habit of returning to the spot before the end of the session and quiet often come up with the goods.