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This is a Slender Half Beak from our very own coastal waters.
Half Beak for Fishingkaki Flyers.
Habitat & Fish Behavior
Half Beak by natural is a Surface water species who roams our coastal waters. Some of the sheltered Estuaries & River mouths are some of the favorite conditions where they thrives in their younger stages.
By character, they are highly opportunistic, surface feeders! Be it a fallen insect, bread crumbs, small morsels of prawns, they will not turn down the offer to take a nibble. “Think later, Nibble 1st… before those mates at my back!” is their motto. Therefore you will need to prospect the path of the schools of cruising fish & land ahead.
Take note : Casting right into the school will at times spook the whole entire school into wonder space...
Once hooked, the fish at times will go berserk with some acrobatics into the air but due to the limited size of the fish, it’s not as spectacular than herrings or long toms.
Tackles & Flies
Floating or slow intermediate sinking line with a long fine tippet for this fish. A good tapered down to 4lb bite tippet should be done or else the leader will effect & stiffen the fly's swimming action. They will take surface dries & smallish charlies in size 10 - 16 & other patterns very well...
If it not for some windy conditions, I will use my 0wt set for the fish. Usually, our 6wt set is considered a great over kill to the fish.
Here's a Barred Half Beak which you can encounter in swams.
Take notice the size of the fly against the body of the half beak. - This is about size 16 - Micro Charlie.
Retrieval Action
Sight casting to this fish is fun! As you sees the whole school of a 100 fishes marches across you. Try your best effort to make the landing in front of the school. Once the school is close proximity to 2 – 3 feet. Make short strips to your fly & you will see the whole bunch of fish sped towards your fly. Continues the retrieval until one finally nibbles at the right angle to be hooked. Usually size 14 is small enough for the most fishes’ mouth.
Another great tip is to slow down your striking moment. At times during sight casting sessions, allowing the fly to “disappear” into the "white" of their mouths is a good indicative moment to lift strike the fish.
