Detecting bites on SP's

[Aaron1985]

Been out for a couple of hours the last 2 days trying to catch down in the st kilda area on the pier and a couple of the jetties with no luck. Is there anyway of detecting bites easier? I don't know whether I'm getting bites,I'm just dragging the lure through weed or the current has something to do with my line suddenly going tight.

On another note the tide was out when I went yesterday so I ventured out to a sandbar I could which took me out towards where all the boats are moored up. I couldn't see any signs that said no fishing around the beach but a couple of people walking their dogs gave me a lot of dirty glances. It was really empty so there was no chance of me making it unsafe for anyone. Surely you're allowed to do this or are you only allowed to fish from designated areas like the pier?

Any information on either of these would be great.

Cheers.

[Basti]

Bites are generally a lot sharper twitches than hitting the bottom. It's really tough to see in the wind but you may also be able to feel them

[cobby]

Nothing wrong with fishing off the sand. Anyone says anything tell them to shove something sideways up the back end.

Always watch your line. If there's a bit of slack in it you'll see it twitch. Good gear and you can feel tiny hits. Get smashed and you'll know straight away. It's all just a learning curve

[Aaron1985]

Cheers for the replies.

The guy in the tackle shop set me up with 8lb sufix elite monofilament line,I've been doing a bit of research and everywhere on the net is saying use a braid and preferably in an easy to see colour as it's easier to detect bites. Mainly after flatties so was thinking if it was worth going down to BCF tomorrow and grabbing a 6lb braid and spooling that up?

[Master-pro]

yes, for lures especially you should be using braid, much easier to feel the lure and bites

[sloth]

If you go braid then run a Flourocarbon leader. The braids easier for you to see - and the fish generally I fish braid with two rod lengths minimum of fc leader or I fish fc straight through. Both work with sp but you'll get better sensitivity with the braid. Have controlled slack in the line and watch for tics or unusual movement (watch for it stopping on the drop too). To be honest though if you're bottom bouncing an sp for flatties you'll know when you have one no matter the line - they generally aren't a subtle bite. One other benefit if braid is the zero stretch which makes the hook set easier. Overall if say a good move to ditch the mono but ensure you run ax decent fc leader and tie a decent leader knot like a slim beauty, fg knot or seaguar knot

[kaotay]

True, when a decent flatty grabs on you will not be left guessing if it's wind or weeds etc. They are an ambush hunter and will inhale your SP/bait. Once you get one you'll know.

[purple5ive]

If you want to see the line twitch like these Guys are saying then you need to fish with braid.
For flathead make site your Lure is in the bottom

[AVG_Fisho]

just keep a belly in the line and watch for any suttle twitches, work for me..

if your using mono it you would see a huge difference by switching to braid.