Half Beaks Hunting

It has been a while since I last fish for half beaks, almost a full year ago. As they comes near to our mainland shoreline in huge numbers for a short 3 months period or so, it is usually a case of catching them when they are around. Myself and DesT decided to hunt them before they are gone from our shore line.

Arrangement are made the day before the trip, my hands are itching for some action as we noticed that the half beaks are still around just a couple of days ago.  However, this trip almost didn't happen as while we are having breakfast on the day of this trip, we notice the weather isn't too good, slight overcast with a chance of raining.  With a heavy heart, we gave up the thought of going fishing and started to have a chat and have more kopi and teh.  I think mother nature took pity on us, as the sun came out blazing in the late morning, with hunting season coming to a close and with itchy hands, common sense are thrown out of the window and we decided to go half beak hunting.

Once we reached the location, I wasted no time to set up my tackle, while DesT being himself, put on his polarized clips-on and started to look for them.  By the time he came back with the report "They are everywhere", I have already landed 2 half-beaks. So immediately he set up his tackle and before long we are having fun, landing half beaks left, right, center.

After a period of fishing, I noticed that while I am having a consistent hook up, DesT seems to have a burst and catches and then go thru a lean period.  Upon further observations, it seems that he are getting almost all his hooks up when the sun is shining brightly, when the rain clouds covers the sunlight, he is having problem getting the half beaks. More on this later when I discuss the different methods we both deploy.

We both are having some much fun that we both failed to notice that rain clouds are closing in on us from behind, by the time we felt the rain droplets, we have to make a mad dash to the shelter.  While waiting for the rain cloud to pass us by, we decided to clean up the the half beaks.  And what a mistake that turns out to be, cause by the time we have finished, the rain have stopped long ago, and the tide have gone down and worst of all, the half beaks are no longer around.  We did try for a while, but gave up when DesT failed to spot any.  No matter as the itching in my hands have longed been cured by then, and I have such good fun hunting for them on mainland, I am more then pleased with the the fishing done today.

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GLoomis NR1382
Unmodified Shimano Slade 1000
Unknown strength braided line, with 8lbs leader.
Running float rig.

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There are like 100 and 1 ways to catch half beaks, everyone have a method they preferred, so stick to it if you like your own method.  For folks who wanted to try to hunt for them for the first time, you might want to try these methods that I have tried before.

Baits -  Breads, prawn meat, fish meat, sotong, some even use hotdogs which I never try before. A small piece of bait on each hooks is enough.

Hook size - No hard and fast rules here, it all depends on the size of the half beaks on the day itself, so usually for me, I will use a Mustard Kirby No. 10 (almost same size as Tamban hook No.3), to gauge the size of the half beaks available on the day itself before moving to other sizes, up to Aji No.8 which is like the biggest I will go for half beaks.

Do note - While a small hooks will hook up the half beaks irregardless it is big or small, but most of the time it hooked the half beaks so deep inside, removal of the hooks will take a fair bit of time.

Method

Double Float system

You will need 2 floats for this method as the name suggested, one weighted and one unweighted.  The weighted floats will be right at the end of the rig after all the hooks, while the unweighted float will be before the hooks closer to your rod.

Weighted Float --- Hooks --- Unweighted Float --- Line --- Rod

This method is best when you are fishing on the beach or such, where current is giving you problems to place where you want your rig to be.  The 2 floats will keep your rig where you cast them, a lot of folks will use tamban rigs from tackle shop when deploying this method. When the 2 floats close up, you know you have a catch, it is almost an idiot proof method.

One reason why I don't like this method is that after one catch, the rig is usually tangled up.

Single Float

Preferred method for most, most if not all will used a weight float as we need the weight to cast. Rig can be multiple hooks or just a single hook.  Personally I deploy a single hook method as even with 2 hooks, these half beaks could easily tangle up your rig, so to make my life easier, I deploy with just a hook usually.

There are a few method to gauge when to set your hooks,

• Visual - When you notice that the float is suddenly flowing in a different direction or is behaving strangely. However, usually by the time this happens, the hook is already deep into the fish already, you can even reel back without setting the hooks.
• Feel - My preferred method, you will need a sensitive rod for this method preferably with braided line, Cast out, reel back the loose line and feel for the bite, once a bite is detected, wait like a second or two before you set the hook, with the proper hook size, 90% chance it is hooked at it's mouth.
• Visual Aid - A method that DesT prefer, however needs a little bit of visual training and the right condition (i.e. High vantage point (e.g. jetty) and bright sunlight).  You will need a pair of polarized shades for this method, you can buy them from petrol kiosk or optical shops. First you need to learn how to spot the half beaks with the polarized shades, need to train your eyes a little as it is not like wearing a X-Ray vision glasses. Then cast your rig right where they are, once you spot your bait is taken, strike and reel the half beak in.