Some of South Australia’s Reservoirs are teeming with big populations of Redfin Perch. Before you go, make sure you are equipped with the right combo, lures, and tackle!

Introduction

South Australian Recreational Anglers are lucky to have access to some great freshwater fishing in the form of reservoirs with the opening of the Warren, South Para, and more recently Myponga Reservoir. Redfin have become a popular target due to the sheer number and size of Redfin in these systems.

Getting geared up for Reservoir Redfin is quite easy as you can catch them with simply a rod and reel combo, a box of lures, and your permit. You may also use a kayak with or without a sounder if you are serious about your Redfin pursuits.

Kayak or Land-Based?

All three reservoirs allow kayak fishing. Kayaks are without a doubt the best tool to cover ground and find Redfin with, especially if it is fitted with a quality sounder. With a kayak, you can access areas and depths land-based anglers cannot. If you have the luxury of a kayak to access these reservoirs and weather permits, kayaking is the best option.

On the other hand, if a kayak is not at your disposal, you can still catch a bucket load of Redfin land based. It will require some hiking and potentially specialist equipment to help you locate some schools.

Rod & Reel set-ups for Land-Based Redfin

There are two types of outfits to use for casting lures at Redfin Perch land based. One is generic and versatile, the other is a bit left of field; but the technique is deadly and will allow you to cover more ground, and hopefully catch more Redfin!

Outfit 1 consists of:

• 7ft 2-4kg or 1-3kg Spinning Rod
• 1000 – 2500 Spinning Reel
• 4-10lb Braid
• 4-10lb Fluorocarbon Leader

These generic light-tackle ‘bream’ combos are a staple in South Australia for most light-tackle targets, including Redfin. They are nice and light, enabling you to cast all-day and get the best fight out of all Redfin big and small. This type of outfit will also cast light lures like soft plastics, spinners, blades, and crankbaits as far as possible.

Outfit 2 consists of:

• 9ft+ 4-8kg Spinning Rod
• 3000 - 4000 Spinning Reel
• 10-15lb Braid
• 10-20lb Fluorocarbon Leader

This combo might seem excessive, but this outfit is used to cast heavy metal lures like shore-jigs and spoons. Why these lures? Because they cast a very long distance. They reach schools of redfin you would not be able to with a conventional 7ft outfit. Big Redfin also love a 20g - 30g metal lure!

Rod & Reel set-ups for Redfin from a Kayak

The one outfit will cover 99% of scenarios. This outfit can cast and retrieve soft plastics, blades, vibes, crankbaits, and spinners from a kayak with ease:

• 6-7ft 2-4kg or 1-3kg Spinning Rod
• 1000 – 2500 Spinning Reel
• 4-10lb Braid
• 4-10lb Fluorocarbon Leader

Considering an angler will be using this outfit via kayak, a shorter rod under 7ft will be ideal but not essential. The shorter rod will help land Redfin with less chance of rod breakage.

Lure Types – Pros & Cons

Soft Plastics

Grub tails are the best type of soft plastic for Redfin, but they will also take slim paddle tails, jerk shads, and creature baits. Softies between 2-3 inches are the ideal size. They will take a variety of colours including black, purple, chartreuse, pink, and white; although the most consistent colour is generally an olive green with red dots or fins, basically a colour that resembles a small Redfin. Although some soft plastics come rigged, you are likely to need jig heads to match your soft plastic. Hook sizes are usually from #2 – 2/0 and weights between 1/12^th – 1/6^th

Pros:

• Ultra-realistic – will get eaten by the fussiest of fish
• Cheap compared to other lure types
• Versatile – plenty of different tail shapes and rigging methods

Cons:

• Do not cast as far as alternatives
• Can be prone to snagging (use weedless jig head to increase snag resistance)
• Some soft plastics can tear or break easily

Blades / Vibes

Metal blades, hard body vibes and soft vibes are deadly on Redfin. They create a lot of vibration, cover plenty of ground, and sink into the strike zone quickly. An appropriate size is between 35mm – 60mm. Colour selection is much the same as soft plastics with anything that has stripes or looks like a Redfin will work. Hard body vibes may have a rattle which can make a difference on any given day due to the added sonic appeal.

Pros:

• Cast well in all conditions
• Sink quickly into the strike zone
• Vibrating action

Cons:

• Very prone to snagging
• Tend to pick-up weed easily

Floating Crankbaits

Floating crankbaits are great to use in the warmer months when Redfin are active in shallow water. Their natural swimming action is appealing to most fish, Redfin included. Floating crankbaits in the 38mm – 70mm range work well. Colour selection is the same as soft plastics, blades, and vibes.

Pros:

• Natural swimming action
• Can float/bounce over snags

Cons:

• Typically, do not cast long distances
• Can pick up weed easily

Spinners

Spinners are one of the oldest known and most used lures for Redfin. They have been effective in just about every waterway all over the world. They truly are a great allrounder as they cast well, emit vibration and flash, and they catch stacks of Redfin. Most coloured spinners will work on Redfin including Redfin pattern, gold, pink, chartreuse and even Trout patterns! 3g - 10g spinners are ideal for most situations although heavier spinners up to 20g can be used to cast further or with the intent of catching bigger Redfin.

Pros:

• Cast well
• Emit great vibration and flash
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

• Can pick-up weed occasionally

Spoons

Spoons are a relatively unknown type of Redfin lure in South Australia. They are basically a weighted casting slug in the shape of a spoon. This design gives the lure a wobbling action on the drop and the retrieve. 20g – 30g spoons are typically used for Redfin from the bank. The same rules of colour apply for spoons although they can be tricked up with all sorts of fluff or assist hooks to make a more appealing or snag resistant spoon. Fun fact: spoons are also a great lures for Bass in the eastern states!

Pros:

• Cast further than conventional Redfin lures
• Great appeal to big Redfin
• Can be retrieved with a variety of speeds

Cons:

• Require specialist rod & reel outfits for best results
• Can snag easily with treble hooks (use assist hooks to reduce snagging)

Shore-jigs

The idea and process of shore jigging with metals jigs is much the same as spoons. The main difference is they are retrieved with more speed and their action is often more intense on the drop. 10g – 30g specialist shore jigs are ideal. Colours are much the same; however, these jigs are typically made for saltwater, so finding a Redfin or freshwater fish pattern will be difficult. Nonetheless, saltwater patterns will still catch Redfin.

Pros:

• Will cast further than any other lure mentioned
• Can be an effective technique on shut-down fish

Cons:

• Require specialist rod & reel outfits for best results
• Fast retrieve only

Other Equipment

It pays to take a bucket or ice box with you as Redfin are classified as a noxious species in South Australia, meaning they cannot be returned to the water. They are a great fish to eat, often referred to as freshwater Whiting or freshwater chicken. Other items to take include braid scissors, pliers and a backpack or satchel to store your lures and tackle in.

Conclusion

South Australia’s Reservoir Redfin are there for the taking and with these tips you will be into them in no-time. The lures and techniques suggested can also be applied to other native species in our reservoirs with Callop and Silver Perch likely to have a go at most of these lures, even Murray Cod will jump on a big spinner or soft plastic occasionally. We urge South Aussie anglers to make the most of these great new freshwater fisheries!

Handy Links:

Permit: https://www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au/activities/fishing

Myponga Reservoir: https://www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au/reservoirs/myponga

Warren Reservoir: https://www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au/reservoirs/warren

South Para Reservoir: https://www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au/reservoirs/southpara

Reservoir fishing restrictions & size limits: https://pir.sa.gov.au/fishing/recreational_fishing/reservoir_fishing

*Permits cannot be purchased from Tackle World Adelaide Metro