http://www.topcatch.co.nz/images/Bait/gulp1.jpg
Of the ever increasing range of Berkley soft plastics that are available, there are a few which have become renowned as successful fish takers. The following are some of the better performing gulp soft plastics:
Minnow Grub[]
The Minnow Grub (relabeled 'swimming mullet' in the saltwater range) is the traditional ribbon tailed soft plastic design that has long been regarded as an outstanding performer on a wide range of estuary species. The minnow grub comes in two sizes (2" and 3"), 13 colours, and is a great all-round performer.
Perhaps the gulp with the most inbuilt action, the minnow grub's action becomes active at very slow speeds which is ideal for trolling behind a kayak. Success has been obtained by simply casting the minnow grub 30 meters behind the kayak and simply forgetting about it while tending to other lines. The minnow grub will bounce along the bottom while paddling or during the drift and, when least expected, will be taken by nearby fish waiting in ambush.
Pumpkinseed appears to be one of the most successful colour choices in the range and has developed a reputation for taking Flathead. The smaller 2" minnow grub is also capable of tempting Bream when only lightly weighted and cast accurately around structures such as wharf pylons. These small minnow grubs can also be used to catch small fish, such as snook (pike), that are intended for use as live bait.
Pogy[]
The pogy is the 'shad' style, paddle tailed, imitation baitfish of the gulp range. Coming in two sizes (3" and 4"), the pogy falls short of many shads by other competing manufacturers (such as squidgies) due to their comparatively restricted action. It appears that the thickness of the pogy tail restricts the movement of the paddle, therefore requiring a higher speed to effect the lure's action. This problem makes it difficult to troll behind a kayak at anything short of maximum speed.
The absence of smaller 2" pogy in the Berkley range arguably reduces its possible uses in the estuary environment to chasing large flathead. Nevertheless, the pogy does account for a number of larger fish (such as snapper) when used around coastal areas and offshore.
Sandworm[]
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/images/Lures/Berkely/sandworm.gif
The sandworm, when used on a single hook rig, is typically cut in half in order to increase hookups. Used at full length, a stinger hook in the tail is required in order to avoid a large proportion of missed strikes. With no real action to speak of, the success of the lure appears to rely on its realistic imitation of a live sandworm. Accounting primarily for whiting and, to a lesser degree, other estuarine species such as bream , the Berkley sandworm is fished with a lightweight jig head and allowed to drift over sandbanks that are expected to hold fish. A slow retrieve or the occasional gentle lift of the rod tip appears to bring the lure to the attention of nearby fish.
The "blood red" coloured sandworm seems to be particularly successful on whiting.
Shrimp[]
Fished in a similar fashion to the sandworm above, the shrimp is also a successful soft plastic when weighted lightly and fished with only a subtle action. The "new penny" colour has been successful in attracting species such as bream and juvenile snapper.
Minnow[]
The minnow (and similar 'jerk shad') is one of the most popular soft plastics in the Berkley range and for good reason. Being a 'flick bait' style lure, the minnow has no inbuilt action. Instead, action must be imparted onto the plastic through erratic movements of the rod tip. Coming in three sizes (2.5", 3" and 4") and ten colours, the minnow is capable of being used in a range of different environments and on a variety of different species.
Anglers have had success with the 2.5" minnow in smelt or chartreuse on a lightly weighted jig head.
Photo board[]
They're not all monsters that are caught on the gulp sandworm (note that it was the rear stinger hook that was effective against this small snapper, as it will be in around 80% of all hook-ups using the sandworm).
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