Haruan loves clear to brackish water (see previous post). Muddy/silt stained waters are not conducive. Lure size, lure running depth and time of day are some of the considerations that an angler should take into account for any kind of fishing. These considerations should be made based on the environment and behavior of the target fish.
My first quest for Haruan ended frustratingly with no results. I used a topwater plastic frog while my fishing buddy who was using live frog bait, caught (and released) 3 good sized specimen. However I took back the information I had by comparing my techniques and lures with those of my fishing buddy.
Never one who back down from a challenge, I analyzed the differences in baits and techniques used that day. My 1st post on Haruan documents my observation.
On my second outing in search of Haruan, I have decided to try another plastic lure, this time a Berkley Ripple Shad in Firetiger. Flexibility in changing the jig head plus low cost of lure replacement was the main consideration when I chose this bait for my Haruan hunt.
The ability to change the jig head (hence its weight) will allow me to vary the depth the lure is running.
The other consideration was cost. Water visibility was zilch, not knowing the depth and snags in the pool and the thought of losing a prized spinner bait or lure lead me to believe that using a plastic bait to scour the bottom for snags is more cost effective.
I am amazed by the swimming action of the Berkley Ripple Shad. It will display a remarkably life like swimming action at varying speed of retrieve. Thus providing the angler better focus in finding suitable casting spots.
Using a Fenwick medium heavy bait casting rod and Abu Garcia C4, I fan casted from the left. While casting to my right; parallel to the bank next to a half submerged tree branch. Halfway retrieving the lure I felt a fierce strike on the other end of the line and there was a splash of water. The fight was valiant...but it ended quickly. To my joy, holding dearly to the Berkley Ripple Shad was a decent sized Haruan. My first!
Picture above, a beautiful specimen with the Berkley Ripple Shad.
A close up of the fish with the plastic lure.
My 2nd Haruan. Also with the same bait, it was barely hooked. Approximately 1 ft long. Here's my take on what worked for me this round. This pond faces heavy fishing pressure. Thus trying a different lure might have helped me in this case. I fished with a slow and steady retrieve, enough to impart life like action on the Ripple Shad. Using a 1/4 ounce jig head, I was able to get the lure down to about 2-3 ft below the surface. It might have been lower since I had my rod tip down most of the time. Then finally is location, it occurred to me that I didn't try casting to the partially submerged branch on my first cast. Hooking up 2 Haruans from the same location solidifies the fact that fish loves cover ALOT!
I have finally accomplished my mission in getting my Haruan "license". Both fish was released back to the wild. On to the next mission...do I see Peacock Bass in the radar???
