Advice for topwater lure fishing for beginners

4age

New member
Hi everyone.. Im a total newbie at lure fishing..looking at buying a small setup for some topwater fishing or even using paddletail lures on the garden route.

Have been looking at getting a medium 7foot assassin tempest travel (easier to transport when i travel by plane) with a shimano sedona. Have been told it could also be used for small paddle tail lures.. Anyone have any advice on the setup? Will it work?

Also where are some nice spot near knysna to target grunter and or small leeries
 
the 7 ft rod is very short.

there are nicer and longer rods on the market which are all 3x piece for travelling, these go up to 11ft.

my best lure rod from the beech is a 9,6 exceller.
its the most all round versatile rod i have.

it will tick most boxes, weight wise and length wise as you can get in deep enough and also cast in close if needed.

the 7ft rod is just too short for me.
but then again, not all of us fish the same way.
 

Magnum001

New member
I would consider the setup you've described as more for estuary fishing. I'd pair this with a 3000 size shimano reel and 12/15lb braid, perhaps the reel couple of models higher than sedona if you're going to be using it heavily. FWIW i have multiple tempest rods, they're excellent.

if you're spinning off the beach or rocks, then you're looking at a longer rod (9.6 - 11 foot), bigger reel (4000, preferably 5000 size) and heavier lures.

Of course life never simple, so you're probably wanting to tackle both? Suggest a light 9 - 9.6ft rod with 4000 sized reel?

What do others think?
 

Fly-aholic

New member
I would agree with a 9 1/2 foot rod. Especially if you want to target the surf.
Please note that if you intend fishing estuaries and specifically topwater lures, the 9 1/2 foot would be a disadvantage as you will not be able to impart the correct action needed for lures eg. for grunter (walk the dog). I also own a few Tempest rods i.e. 7 foot in ML and M, and they are excellent for estuary fishing and casting 1/2 -3/4 ounce lures. I fish the Tempests with 2500/3000 reels and 12lb braid. Topwater lures I use a mono leader (15lb) and paddletails a 20 pound fluorocarbon leader.
I also fish 9 1/2 foot Exceller in the surf with 4000 reels and 15lb braid.
The Southern Cape has fantastic estuaries, both open and closed, and I would suggest to start with a 7 foot rod and 2500 reel with 12lb braid. The tempest is relatively inexpensive and a medium action for braid. I also have a few Cherrywood rods in ML and M, and they are an absolute steel for the blank quality. I did however upgrade the guides after a year.
 

4age

New member
thanks guys.i will be doing mostly estuary fishing for now as I travel often to garden route for work with little time to pump bait.

was told to try near the area at the Sedgefield bridge turn off just as I pass over the bridg going towards knysna
 

Fly-aholic

New member
Hi 4age.
Correct, as you travel over the N2 bridge, look left. you will see a train bridge. Turn left and you will cross the railway line. Immediately after railway line you will see parking on left.
Walk onto railway line to middle of bridge and climb down onto cement slab. Your back will now be towards N2. Cast to your left into the corner where the reeds are and straight out.
I fish primarily in the morning and then you will see the leeries smashing the baitfish in the corner where the reeds are.
Another place that is very productive is where a little side rivers runs into the main river. This is in front of Placid Waters holiday resort.
 
Hi there welcome to sealine..

I would highly recommend Shimano corvalus setup..would cost you about R1500 it's a very decent beautiful setup..its very versatile I use mine for Steenbras and elf and leeries..cast very smooth and cast a good distance as well.

Tuckers tackle got them.
 

4age

New member
Thanks so much. am I able to catch grunter from this spot as well?

I ended up getting the assassin tempest rod and Sedona reel. I also got skitter v lures, a zombie killer 90 as well as a small popper.
 

4age

New member
Going up this weekend.. Wish me luck guys.. I see rain is expected sunday and monday😕
 
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