How to catch redfin
Redfin can turn up when fishing for golden perch or other species, however you’re more likely to get better results with specific techniques and locations, along with small lures and baits. Redfin are very aggressive schooling fish and respond well to baits and lures, so if one technique or location is not working it pays to mix things up. Their preferred habitat in Eildon can vary but they’re usually near structure such as logs, rock walls or standing timber, often schooling around the base of larger submerged trees. Having a good sounder and knowing how to use it is a big advantage, otherwise keep moving until a school is found. Catching golden perch or trout when employing any of these techniques is common and, on the flipside, sometimes big cod jump on the line too!
Trolling
Redfin tend to school up together and a big key to catching a haul is finding them in the first place. Whilst not many people troll for redfin, it’s a great way to find them. Success can be had in Eildon by trolling small, bibbed crankbaits/deep divers, lipless crankbaits and even soft plastics at depths of four to 12 metres around the shoreline. Anything is worth a try, provided it can move slowly near the bottom. Try two lines in the water with different lures to see what the fish respond to as it can change day to day. Trolling is better conducted adjacent to banks with less timber or in areas where there’s large dead timber standing vertically in the water. The downside to trolling is getting hung up or snagged. A balance must be struck between being in a good area and not being constantly snagged! Once you find redfin turn around and go over the area again.
Boat-based lure casters
Redfin are usually caught in Eildon fishing vertically in trees. Take up a stationery position and fish in amongst the trees by dropping lures vertically down to them. The vertical approach relies on moving every 20 minutes or using a good sounder to find the schools in the first place. Small soft plastic lures, vibes and ice jigs are effective. Aggressive hops and pauses of lures ignite the species’ inherent aggressive and competitive nature, meaning more bites!
Bait fishers
Bait fishing for reddies is effective, fun and easy using a variety of natural baits. Earth worms, small yabbies and freshwater shrimp all work well. When bait fishing it pays to use rigs that keep your bait anchored relatively still to avoid getting snagged. A running sinker or paternoster rig work well and a size #1 hook is ideal. Concentrate your efforts around the standing timber and move often if you’re not getting a bite.
Shore-based anglers
Casting lures for redfin is a great way to target them. Fan out long casts, then move 10 metres and repeat. This approach covers plenty of water and increases the chances of locating a school of active fish. This prospecting style of fishing is effective using the same lures as trolling. Soft plastics are great too. Sinking lures that can be cast a long way into deep water, then bounced off the bottom as they’re retrieved are ideal. Longer rods will help cast further to cover water, so a 7-to 7.5-foot medium actioned rod with a 2500 sized reel, 3kg braided line and 3 or 4kg leader of 6 foot is perfect. Add in a good rod holder so you can anchor it down and you’re in the game!