b'TOPWATERRod & Reel OptionsTOP WATER MID-LEVELDaiwa BG MQ 10000Daiwa Saltist Hyper Rod S792-4/6RRP $750Okuma Azores 14000Okuma Kotare PE5-8 RodRRP $749Learning to swim the lure is a skill that will pay off more than buying expensive gear. Enticing a strike by seductive rod work is your number one goal.OPPOSITE: Jody Waaka hooked up at the change of light at a Hauraki Gulf reef.Dont forget to put in a pause after each sweep as this can be the moment the fish strikes and a head up-tail down position is part of the act.However, a spare spool with mono canSWIM TECHNIQUEmean the combo doubles for bait fishingWhether you are fishing off the boat or duty as well if youre not a full-bloodedfrom the rocks, learning to swim your topwater purist. The shorter 8ft rodslure and perfecting your technique will intended for the boat can also be usedpay off more than buying top-end gear. off the rocks where swell is not an issue,Dont get me wrong, the more expensive or you have deep water to cast into outgear has its place, and it is beautiful to in front. There arent many 9ft+ land- use, but you will get a good return for based lure rods on the market but Daiwainvesting in the skill set of working a lure have a Saltist Hyper 96 PE6 model aslike an expert. Getting the fish to strike well as a Spartan PE 4-6 S100 model. is a matter of fishing in the right place at the right time and having the fish in the STAYING CONNECTED mood but kings are notorious for giving The most popular knot to connect youranglers heart attacks from charging the braid to the leader is the FG knot. Therelure and following but not biting.are others like the slim beauty or GTEnticing the kingie to think it really is knot which also work but the FG is nota wounded baitfish is the art of stick too difficult to learn and retains 95%+ ofbaiting. Keep watching your lure and the line strength. Tying the leader to thefocus on the sweep of the rod. You may swivel can be done with a simple clinchneed to change the speed of the sweep knot but you could also use the AG chainand start with a subtle jerk or pull to knot which gives the line a little shockmake the lure dive under the surface. absorption.If youre in the middle of aThen smooth out the rest of your sweep hot bite, its good to re-tie your knot toto make the lure glide under the surface the lure after every 3-4 smaller mid-sizedor dart and splash, without coming out of fish and consider re-tying your braid tothe water or spinning end over end. Each leader knot halfway through the day iflure can be different so experiment until youve landed some horses. you are happy with the action.26FISHING IN GODZONE JAN/FEB 2023'