Yesterday I went back to the flats to try a new cut bait, aku belly. I was told that the smell of aku belly draws the predator fish like papio and kaku in, so I geared up with 20lb test fluorocarbon and a bigger bait casting rod/reel. The wind was light and the skies were clearer which allowed me to see the hinalea and moana flitting around but also provided the predator fish a good view of me and my offerings.
I didn’t get any hits after about 15 mins so I dropped the aku belly bait in front of the hinalea and they sniffed and retreated. I then put on a piece of my go to secret bait and they immediately swarmed that. I guess aku belly isn’t high on the list of delicacies for reef fish.
I swapped between the few secret baits I had and aku belly. Caught a 7 inch omilu on the secret bait before I ran out of it.
It was a slow bite on a beautifully calm, clear day. There were 2 fly fisherpeople working the shallows. Then a small skiff came in and its fly fishing occupants got out and joined the sight fishing activity. I was told that a few small oio were sighted but they didn’t want to eat feathers and fur.
Take away: Aku belly isn’t the best bait to drag the flats unless the larger predators are in. Clear conditions cause the fish to be very wary. Or maybe it was because I didn’t use the orange weight?
Another post that contains great information for my upcoming Oahu amateur fishing vacation. Thanks Scott!
Secret bait huh. Give us a hint here. Does it come from Safeway? I did tell you what my secret bait for trigger fish is…
Hey Justin,
Now it wouldn’t be a secret if I said where to buy the bait and how to add the secret sauce, now would it?
The secret part is how to enhance it, the core bait can be purchased at many locations.
Can’t give all the secrets away, yeah?
Your visit is just a little more than 2 weeks away huh? I have a new place to take you.