So I'm at south curidgee on stradbroke, i have a kayak i wanted to take out towards crab Island. It's a very still night at 10pm. What's my best bet for lures? I'm very new to using lures and have never caught anything on a lure, so i need a very beginner lesson on how to use it from a kayak in the Broadwater

Question

So I'm at south curidgee on stradbroke,  i have a kayak i wanted to take out towards crab Island.  It's a very still night at 10pm. What's my best bet for lures? I'm very new to using lures and have never caught anything on a lure, so i need a very beginner lesson on how to use it from a kayak in the Broadwater

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Nighttime kayak lure plan for Crab Island, Broadwater (South Stradbroke Island, Queensland)**

Starting from a kayak at Crab Island in calm Broadwater conditions, you’ll want simple, effective lures and an easy-to-follow routine. Here’s a beginner-friendly approach that covers lure choice, gear, technique, and safety. 🛶🌊

### 1) Lure picks for a beginner
- **Soft minnow / paddle-tail swimbaits** on a light jighead (1/8 oz to 1/4 oz) – great for covering water and tempting wary fish in low light. Good beginner option: 
  - [HALYXS 7 pcs - Soft Minnow](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTTBYPFH?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- **Jointed swimbaits** for that lifelike wiggle and easy casting: 
  - [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- **Topwater lure** (glide or small popper) for surface ticks when the water is still and fish are feeding near the surface:
  - [TRUSCEND Top Water Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- If you want a bit of variety and lots of options, a small lure kit is handy: 
  - [41Pcs Fishing Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQTP3SWS?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- **Jig-head lures with paddletail/smaller swimbaits** for near-structure work:
  - [TRUSCEND Jigs Lures with Paddle Tail](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W2Z6VT8?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

> Quick tip: bright or light colors (pearl, white, chartreuse) work well at night, and a bit of glow can help in low light. If you don’t have glow plastics, bright colors with a subtle tint of glow paint on the head can help.

### 2) Gear setup (simple and effective)
- Rod/reel: a light spinning setup, about 6–10 lb braid mainline with a 6–12 lb fluorocarbon leader. If you’re unsure, a 6–8 lb mono works fine too.
- Terminal tackle: small 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz jigheads for soft plastics; a couple of extra jigs (1/6 oz, 1/4 oz) for depth changes.
- PFD and safety gear: wear a bright life jacket, bring a whistle, and have a light on your kayak for visibility.
- Basic knots to practice: improved clinch knot (for lures), and a simple loop knot if you try soft plastics with a fast drop.

### 3) How to cast from a kayak (beginner-friendly)
1) Get comfy: sit low in the kayak, keep knees bent, feet on the hull if you’re kneeling, and use a relaxed grip. 
2) Cast with a smooth arc, aiming just beyond weed lines or drop-offs where fish ambush bait.
3) Start with a short, steady cast to keep your line tight. If the line has slack, pop it to feel the bite more clearly.
4) After the cast, keep your rod tip high, reel steadily, and watch the line for subtle taps.

### 4) Retrieval patterns that work from a kayak
- For soft plastics: a slow, steady retrieve with 1–2 quick pauses every 2–3 seconds. The pauses let the lure pause in the strike zone, then resume.
- For topwater: small pops and a slow walk-the-dog action to elicit surface strikes.
- Cover water edges first: target weed lines, channels, and drop-offs where baitfish school up.

### 5) Night-specific tips
- Light discipline: keep noise to a minimum; a red headlamp helps you see without spooking fish.
- Color/flash: brighter or slightly reflective lures can help you track the lure in low light. A little glow on the tail or head can help.
- Tide and timing: in the Broadwater, the bite tends to improve around moving tides. Plan your night with tide changes; fish feed along edges when water moves.
- Safety first: keep a buddy system if possible, carry a whistle, and stay aware of other boats and swimmers.

### 6) What you’re likely to catch (seasonal note)
- Common Broadwater nighttime targets include small to mid-sized flathead, bream, juvenile trevally, and kingfish often with bigger tides. Autumn (mid fall) can see cooler water and clearer conditions, which makes a steady retrieve and simple lures particularly effective.

### 7) Quick practice plan
- Practice casting on land first: 15–20 casts to build accuracy.
- Then practice quick retrieves and pauses in calm water before heading out at night.
- Start with one lure type (soft plastic on a light jighead) and add a second lure if you’re not getting bites after 20–30 minutes.

### 8) Quick resources
- YouTube: Kayak fishing basics and tips — [Video resource](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kayak+fishing+basics)
- Lure options (see above products for quick picks)

**Bottom line:** keep it simple, stay safe, and cast to edges where bait is likely to be hiding. With a steady retrieve and forgiving lures, you’ll get a feel for what fish want in the Broadwater. You’ve got this—enjoy the adventure and good luck on the water! 🎣💪

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🎣 Crab Island, Broadwater, South Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia