tackle – Sport Fishing Mag https://www.sportfishingmag.com Sport Fishing is the leading saltwater fishing site for boat reviews, fishing gear, saltwater fishing tips, photos, videos, and so much more. Tue, 08 Oct 2024 15:31:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/favicon-spf.png tackle – Sport Fishing Mag https://www.sportfishingmag.com 32 32 Fishing Crankbaits for Gulf Jetty Redfish https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/howto/crankbaits-for-gulf-jetty-redfish/ Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:33:03 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=47332 Fish lipless plugs around the rocks for early fall redfish fun.

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Large bull red being reeled in
Texas anglers score on bull reds late in the summer and early in fall at the various rock jetties that open the bays and sounds to the Gulf. Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

I eyed a spot at the southwestern tip of the Cameron, Louisiana, jetties and made a cast. My lipless crankbait hit the water.

As the lure sank, I began my normal seven-count before making the first pull. I stopped at three. It felt as if the lure had hit a rock and got stuck, so I set the hook — just in case.

The rod immediately doubled over, the drag screamed, and for the next 15 minutes, a super-sized redfish put my muscles and tackle to the test.

Catching redfish is fun. Catching big redfish is really fun. And one of the best ways to do that in early fall is with crankbaits at jetties.

Bomber Super Pogy Saltwater Grade crankbait
The author caught this 36-inch red using a Bomber Super Pogy Saltwater Grade crankbait. Chester Moore

Gearing Up for Fishing Crankbaits

Endless varieties of crankbaits flood the market, especially for bass fishing, but the most effective crankbaits for redfish are lipless.

As the name implies, these lures feature no protruding lip, a characteristic that allows this kind of bait to be fished at specific depths. Lipless versions can be more versatile because the angler essentially controls the fishing depth.

Rat-L-Trap has long led the industry, but my favorite is the Super Pogy by Bomber Saltwater Grade. It comes with a high-pitch rattle that I’ve found effective. Other options include the Nobondo Lipless Crankbait, Nomad Design Madscad and Biospawn Rattle Bot.

Best colors include chrome, white/black, chrome/pink, and bronze. I use a casting reel rigged with a 30-pound green P-line braid tied directly to the lure because I fish in dingy water. In clear water, add a 36-inch fluorocarbon leader if needed.

I like a medium-heavy action, 7 1/2-foot rod but have a particular preference for its composition. I learned about this while fishing over the years with four-time Bassmaster Classic champion and living legend Rick Clunn.

Super-sensitive rods actually work against you when fishing with crankbaits, Clunn told me. A fish actually pushes the lure in pursuit; if you’re fishing a super-sensitive (graphite/composite) rod, you’ll set the hook before the fish actually has the lure.

Clunn collaborated with Wright & McGill a few years back to create the S-Glass Series of rods that incorporate traditional fiberglass technology with a modern flare. I use these rods for crankbaits and have had serious success everywhere from the Mississippi River near Venice, La., to the Cameron jetties.

With glass rods, I have had far more hookups than misses because I can’t feel the bite until the fish takes the lure. You’ll find numerous fiberglass crankbait rods on the market, and they can make a massive difference in the pursuit of redfish.

Rat-L-Traps for targeting redfish
Rat-L-Traps are a traditional lipless crankbait that lure in big reds. Other options include the Bomber Saltwater Grade Super Pogy, Nobondo Lipless Crankbait, Nomad Design Madscad and Biospawn Battle Bot. Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

Location and Technique

Around the jetties, start fishing near the boat cuts [Ed’s note: Texas jetties feature breaks in the rock wall about halfway out that allow small boats through] to take advantage of reds foraging on baitfish moving between the channel and Gulf side of the jetty rocks. “You get shrimp, shad and crabs pushing through, and the reds will move in and feed,” says veteran jetty angler Bill Killian.

Anchor up-current of the cut and work the lure against the flow. “Throw it out toward the cut, let it sink a few seconds, and then reel it in as fast as you can. The pressure of the current will allow the rattles to work really well,” he says.

Also look for jetty reds in the deep holes usually found around the southern tip of the rocks and northward about 50 yards. At these spots, the current wraps around the jetty structure and carves out large holes. Reds congregate around large boulders that have fallen off the main wall into these holes.

Read Next: More Redfish Fishing Tips

Throw out the crankbait, let it sink to the level of the rocks, and rip it. I pull a few feet and then reel a couple of cranks. Repeat that three or four times and recast. The reds usually hit just after the first pull and sometimes on the fall.

While it might sound counterintuitive, if you see dolphins feeding in the area, that’s a fortunate sign.

In my logbook, I’ve noted dolphins feeding in the vicinity every time I’ve caught lots of bull reds. The times we had fewer fish, I saw no dolphins feeding. The presence of dolphins often indicates menhaden, a primary forage species for big reds.

Properly releasing a redfish
Releasing big, breeding-size reds helps ensure the species survives. Currently redfish face major problems ranging from toxic algae blooms to bycatch in the menhaden industry. Chester Moore

Releasing for the Future

As everything from algae blooms to bycatch in the menhaden fishery puts pressure on redfish populations, catch-and-release becomes increasingly important — particularly for the big, breeding-size reds that inhabit jetty systems.

Scientists say the discard mortality rate for all sizes of redfish averages around 8 percent, though the type of terminal tackle used plays a major role. In general, lures deep-hook fewer fish than J-hooked natural baits.

In fact, one fish Killian caught at a nearshore gas platform off the Sabine Pass, which I tagged for Texas Sea Grant, made a reappearance three weeks later two miles away at the Sabine jetties. As the super fat bull redfish surfaced, Killian netted it. We quickly noticed a tag covered with slime.

I removed the growth, and my heart raced as I realized the tag said Sea Grant.

After examining our data, we realized it was the same fish Killian caught a few weeks before. It taught me firsthand that releasing big fish pays off, and I will carry that and deep respect for these bulls with me for the rest of my life.

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The Perfect Pitch https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/howto/proper-use-of-pitch-baits/ Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:41:24 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=47303 Top captains keep pitch baits rigged and ready for most offshore species.

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Atlantic mackerel for pitch bait fishing
Pitch-bait rigging for a livey, such as this Atlantic mackerel, is often unique to each situation. But make no mistake: Pitch baits can be very effective. Scott Kerrigan / www.aquapaparazzi.com

The most successful offshore anglers never leave the dock without pitch baits. Dead or alive, those baits can turn a fair day of fishing into an unforgettable one.

“Every single day I go in the ocean, if there’s a snowball’s chance in hell of catching a marlin, I’ve got a pitch bait on. All day, every day,” says Capt. Matt Carter, who once ran charters out of North Carolina’s Oregon Inlet and now skippers private boats.

Carter, who fishes from Montauk, New York to Mexico, always keeps pitch baits rigged and ready because many fish show up unexpectedly. The baits also tempt fish that appear in a trolling spread or behind a daisy chain but show no interest in eating.

“If a gaffer dolphin comes in, you need your pitch bait to be able to catch it,” he explains. “If I’m fishing a 9/0 or 10/0 tuna bait, I promise you that if he comes in on a teaser, he’ll hit that pitch bait. And how many times are people tuna fishing and a small blue marlin or white marlin comes in and is all over the spreader bar, and everyone’s looking at it?

“They have the mindset, ‘We don’t need a pitch bait; we’re not marlin fishing.’ What do you do when that gaffer dolphin comes in? Or that sailfish? You know how hard it is to hook a sailfish on a big lure? I always have pitch baits ready to go if a sailfish, whitey or a blue comes in. I want to make the most of that opportunity.”

Have Pitch Baits Ready When Trolling

Live pitch bait
Whether you rig and use live or dead pitch baits often depends on how you’re fishing, although some dead-bait ­trollers keep liveys handy for this special purpose. Adrian E. Gray

Pitch baits prove popular from coast to coast. California tuna fishermen, such as Capt. Ty Ponder, a private boat captain from San Diego, use live Pacific sardines. Spanish sardines rank as the No. 1 pitch bait for Florida captains such as Casey Hunt of Key West’s CN-it Adventures. A threadfin herring ranks as his second choice. Carter’s go-to pitch bait is a dead ballyhoo, which matches what he’s trolling.

“All trolling guys, whether they’re fishing for blue marlin, white marlin or sailfish on the East Coast pitch dead baits, and all live-bait guys pitch live baits,” Hunt says. “Most boats are set up to always troll or always live-bait. But if you’re trolling and you have some live bait, it’s a great weapon.”

Whether you pitch live or dead baits, always have a bait ready, and immediately drop it into the water when a fish shows, especially when you already have one fish hooked, captains say.

“If you’re fighting a sailfish, cast [a sardine] toward it, and a lot of times you’ll hook another sailfish right away,” Hunt says, noting that the technique works with other species, most notably dolphin, but also wahoo, tuna and marlin. “Even before you release it, have a guy cast a bait toward that fish.”

Bridling pitch-bait liveys
Many Florida captains choose to bridle pitch-bait liveys through the nose when sailfishing so that the baits are easier to pick up and move. Jason Stemple

When he trolls at 15 knots for wahoo, for instance, he’ll slow the boat once he hooks a fish and ask an angler to cast a live goggle-eye with a wire leader, in case there’s another wahoo around. With dolphin, he waits to pitch a livey until the fish obviously snubs the trolled baits.

If he finds a school of dolphin, Hunt starts casting lures or jigs. When the fish lose interest, he switches to chunks of ballyhoo or bonito. When they stop biting the chunks, he deploys liveys. And before leaving a dolphin school, he drops a live goggle-eye deep, well below the school, in case a larger fish still lurks.

When targeting tuna, Hunt will watch for the first jump, “then just throw everything you’ve got in your spread, because the more baits you have in the water, the better,” he says. “We do a lot of that, or we cast popping plugs. That kind of gets blackfin and yellowfin tunas fired up, then we cast baits.”

Hunt says he also has tossed pitch baits to white marlin out of Harbor Island in the Bahamas. “We’re pulling baits, hook a white, and as he’s getting close to the boat, we flip out live goggle-eyes and hook another.”

Pitch Live Baits to Sailfish

Sailfish caught on pitch bait
Sailfish often travel in pods, so keeping one or more prebridled live pitch baits handy can really increase your ­number of hookups. Jason Stemple

Florida captains use pitch baits most often for sailfish because the sails usually travel in pods. Hunt also keeps at least one live pitch bait handy, hooked to a spinning outfit, for those times when sails pop up in a kite spread or when he spots a free-jumper.

“If you see one free-jumping, basically lock up all your reels, speed up the boat, and pull all your baits over to where you saw him,” he says. “If I know there are a lot of free-jumpers around, I like bridling kite baits through the nose. If we have to pick them up, it’s easier if they’re hooked in the nose instead of the back.

“If you’re running along and see a sailfish jumping, try to get ahead of him and cast three or four baits at him, even if he goes down. He might come back up and bring more fish with him.”

Ready With a Pitch Bait for Marlin

Waiting to cast pitch bait
When trolling for marlin, always keep different sizes of pitch baits on the boat. Matt Rissell

When he’s trolling for marlin, Carter never knows what might show up in his spread, so he always keeps two sizes of pitch baits on his boat. If the big blue appears but doesn’t eat, he pitches a horse ballyhoo on a 10/0 to 12/0 circle hook behind a Mold Craft chugger lure, a tactic that has caught 600-pound marlin. His smaller pitch bait for small marlin, sailfish and dolphin is a naked “dink” ballyhoo on a 7/0 circle hook.

“Every time I hook a fish, pitch baits go in the water,” he adds. “Everybody’s prospecting. We make 20 or 30 pitches every single day. Don’t be scared to throw it. I think a lot of recreational anglers don’t take advantage.”

When a blue marlin comes up in Carter’s spread, he slowly pulls the teaser to the boat. As the teaser comes in, his mate puts a pitch bait in the water. One tip for hooking a blue on a pitch bait: Don’t let it get too far behind the boat.

“You never let the pitch bait get past where the squid chain would be,” Carter says. “People have a tendency to drop back and back. I always keep it near the back of the boat, and I make the fish come to me. If he’s inside the short-rigger distance, then you’re way better off. Too far back, you can’t see how to feed it.”

He recalls one Mid-Atlantic tournament he fished, when he had a white marlin doubleheader on the two flat lines. His mate was hauling in a daisy chain when Carter glanced at the outside teaser and saw a 400- to 500-pound blue marlin.

Says Carter of another trip: “One time in the Dominican Republic, we hooked two white marlin, and as we caught them on the turn, we had the baits going out and hooked a sailfish. “As we were hooking the sailfish, we pitched a bait to a blue marlin. So we literally caught a grand slam in one turn.”

Targeting Tuna With Pitch Baits

Live chumming
When you draw a school of tuna or dolphin to the boat, live chumming helps keep the fish close and interested. Jason Stemple

Ponder says West Coast anglers typically target yellowfin tuna and yellowtail with pitch baits—although in the past few years, bluefin tuna to 300 pounds also have made the hit list.

When tuna fishing, he runs 10 to 100 miles offshore, where he focuses on known ridge areas or high spots. There he looks for kelp paddies and what he calls floating structure, which attract bait and gamefish. Temperature breaks of 1 to 3 degrees often draw bait to the cooler side; the gamefish stay along the warmer, clearer side of the break. In Southern California, a typical break might transition from 63 to 65 degrees or 65 to 67.

Ponder also looks for dipping or diving birds. During summer, pods of feeding common dolphin can indicate tuna. And he always keeps an eye out for surface-breaking tuna. When he finds promising conditions, he often trolls feathers—real and plastic—as well as deep-diving Rapala X-Rap swimming plugs.

“As soon as somebody gets a bite, the first thing we’re going to do is start chumming,” says Ponder, who tosses out one or two live sardines at a time to keep the school close.

He prefers to rig a 6- to 10-inch live sardine for pitching, although he also uses anchovies and mackerel. Ponder notes that it’s critical to handle a bait with care, taking it out of the livewell with a bait net so that it looks good, retains all its scales, and remains lively.

“When you pitch it in the water, you want it to run away from the boat immediately. That’s going to be ideal,” he says, adding that an underhand pitch works best. “An overhand cast stuns the sardine when it lands, and it doesn’t run. With an underhand pitch, the sardine is more likely to run away from the boat. If it runs hard, it’s likely to get bit.”

If the bait doesn’t swim away, Ponder doesn’t soak it. “I immediately flick it off [the hook], and I go right back to the well and get another bait. I want a bait that’s fired up and swims away to get that reaction bite.”

Feather the line as the sardine swims away to keep in touch with the bait. “I hate to see guys feeding line, and they get a bunch of slack, and they’re not feeling their bait. They feed out 100 yards, and they don’t even know that their bait is sitting straight under the boat.”

Pitch Bait Fishing Tactics

Pitch baits illustration
Common prey fishes used as pitch baits. Ballyhoo (top left), Atlantic threadfin herring (top right), Spanish sardine (bottom left), Bigeye scad [goggle-eye](bottom right). Diane Rome Peebles

Even when pitching dead baits, keep that connection and you’ll score more hookups. With time, experience and dedication to the details, you’ll perfect that all-important sales pitch.

Capt. Casey Hunt of Key West, Florida, who kite-fishes with 20-pound Accurate conventional reels, suggests a 7-foot spinning rod and any brand of reel that holds 400 to 500 yards of fishing line for pitch-baiting.

He ties a Bimini twist in his 20-pound Momoi Diamond or Diamond Illusion main line, creating 10 inches of doubled line. With an Albright knot, he attaches a 15-foot leader of 30-pound Momoi Diamond fluorocarbon tied to an Eagle Claw 5/0 or 6/0 circle hook. He hooks or bridles live pitch baits through both lips so that the baits don’t fly off when cast.

While Hunt runs along a color change to set up a drift, each of his anglers stands ready with a baited spinning outfit. The prepared baits swim in either a 5-gallon bucket of water or a livewell. If Hunt sees a free-jumper, he can maneuver in front of the fish to let the anglers cast.

A Tuna Pitch Bait

To catch tuna in the 20- to 50-pound class, Capt. Ty Ponder of San Diego uses a 7-foot, 6-inch Okuma PCH Custom extra-heavy, 30- to 60-pound rod with Okuma Cavalla conventional two-speed reels in size 5 or 12.

He typically fishes 65- to 80-pound Sufix braided line with 6 to 100 feet of 30- to 50-pound Sufix Invisiline fluorocarbon leader. He uses shorter leaders to maintain sensitivity to the bite but extends them if fish grow skittish.

Ponder attaches the braid to the fluorocarbon with a John Collins knot, also known as the Royal Polaris knot, which he likes because it’s slimmer and seldom fails. He upgrades his tackle appropriately when bigger bluefin tuna come around.

He uses a San Diego jam knot to attach a VMC circle or J hook, which he matches to the size of the bait. “I personally never set the hook on a tuna, even with a J hook. I just reel the line tight and lift the rod tip.”

Ponder often nose-hooks live sardines when pitching them for tuna and yellowtail. He also hooks sardines in the back, just ahead of the dorsal fin, which makes them “look like a Rapala.” For a third option, he hooks the sardine in front of the anal fin so that the bait swims down and away from the boat.

The All Purpose Pitch Bait

Pitch baits organized
Make sure you prepare and organize pitch rods and baits ahead of time. Mike Calabrese

Private-boat skipper Capt. Matt Carter uses 20- to 30-pound-class custom rods with Shimano Talica 20 or 25 conventional reels. He attaches 30-pound main line with an 80-pound top shot to a ball-bearing swivel crimped to a wind-on leader of 60- to 80-pound fluorocarbon. He snells the leader to a 7/0 circle hook baited with a dead, naked ballyhoo.

Carter keeps the rods handy in the rocket launcher or tower-leg rod holders, and the rigged ballyhoo rest in pitch-bait tubes filled with ice and salt water to keep the baits fresh. “Nothing’s worse than fishing all day and having the fish of a lifetime come up, and you’ve got a bait that’s been drying in the sun,” he says. “They won’t eat it.”

Carter notes that the tubes can be attached to a tower rod holder, a fighting chair or a rocket launcher, so they’re always in the right place when the time comes.

“No matter what you do, you have to get in the habit of having that pitch bait in the same location every time,” Carter says. “You don’t even have to think about it. My mate hears ‘right teaser,’ and he goes straight to that rod every time.”

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Sport Fishing’s Deals of the Week https://www.sportfishingmag.com/gear/sport-fishings-deals-of-the-week/ Mon, 19 Aug 2024 17:27:40 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=56611 Having the right gear can make all the difference in your saltwater fishing adventures.

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Here at Sport Fishing Magazine, we understand that having the right gear can make all the difference in your saltwater fishing adventures. That’s why we’re excited to bring you our weekly roundup of the best deals on top-quality saltwater fishing gear. Each week, we scour the market to find the latest and greatest equipment at unbeatable prices, so that you have everything you need to enhance your time on the water. Join us in exploring this week’s deals on gear that delivers performance, reliability, and value. Happy fishing!

AWEMUFA Boat Fender
AWEMUFA Boat Fender Courtesy AWEMUFA

The AWEMUFA Boat Fender features an innovative, patented design with a sleek, streamlined exterior inspired by stylish sports cars. Made from durable, environmentally-friendly EVA material, these boat dock bumpers offer exceptional impact resistance.

Pros

Integrated Locking System: The extra-long straps are not only easy to use but also have an integrated automatic locking system that securely fastens the fender to the dock or deck without the need for complicated knots.

Innovative Design: The curved shape of the fender hugs the side of your boat so that it stays in place and doesn’t roll around like traditional fenders.

Cons

Limited Color Options: The fenders may be available in fewer colors, which might not appeal to those looking for a specific aesthetic for their boat.

PENN Slammer IV Spinning Reel
PENN Slammer IV Spinning Reel Courtesy Penn

The PENN Slammer IV Spinning Reel is the perfect choice for anglers who demand durability, power, and smooth performance, especially in challenging saltwater environments. This reel is built to handle tough conditions and big catches, making it a reliable companion for both serious and recreational fishermen. Here’s why the Slammer IV stands out:

Pros

Powerful Drag System: The Slammer Dura Drag System is known for its smoothness and reliability, providing the power needed to handle big fish without sacrificing control.

Superline Spool: The reel comes equipped with a superline spool that doesn’t require backing, thanks to the rubber gasket that keeps braided lines from slipping.

Fully Sealed Design: The Slammer IV features PENN’s IPX6 sealed system, which keeps water out of the gear box and drag system. This is crucial for maintaining long-term performance and durability in saltwater environments where corrosion is a concern.

Cons

Weight: The Slammer IV is slightly heavier than some other reels in its class due to its solid metal construction.

Simrad NSX 12 Multifunction Display with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer and HALO 20 Bundle
Simrad NSX 12 Multifunction Display with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer and HALO 20 Bundle Courtesy Simrad

The Simrad NSX 12 Multifunction Display with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer and HALO 20 Bundle is an outstanding choice for serious boaters seeking advanced navigation and fishing capabilities. This comprehensive system enhances your time on the water with its state-of-the-art technology and user-friendly interface.

Pros

Vibrant 12-Inch Display: The high-resolution touchscreen delivers bright, clear images, making it easy to view charts and sonar data in all lighting conditions.

Advanced 3-in-1 Transducer: The Active Imaging transducer combines CHIRP sonar, SideScan, and DownScan imaging, providing unparalleled clarity and detail.

HALO 20 Radar: The included HALO 20 radar offers exceptional situational awareness, giving you real-time information about nearby vessels and obstacles.

Cons

Learning Curve: With advanced functionalities, new users may take some time to master the system.

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The Best Lightweight Spinning Reels https://www.sportfishingmag.com/gear/best-lightweight-spinning-reels/ Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=56534 Flyweight fighters: The next generation of spinning reels.

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Quantum spinning reel and speckled trout
Quantum introduced two new saltwater spinning reels in 2024, perfect for inshore gamefish such as speckled seatrout. Sam Hudson

Anyone who has spent hours and hours casting a spinning rod appreciates lower weight and a compact size. But when a big fish turns up the heat, a spinning reel has to muster the power to respond. Fortunately, the next generation of ultralight spinning reels feature design and technology to prevent corrosion and damage with beefed-up components and silky smooth drag for years of reliable performance.

PENN Clash II
PENN Clash II Chris Malbon / Debut Art

PENN Clash II

In addition to a carbon fiber drag, CNC-cut gears, the water-resistant Clash II has a super-slow oscillating rotor with ball bearing line roller that lays line on the spool so it leaves the reel faster for longer casts with a light lure.

Okuma Inspira ISX
Okuma Inspira ISX Chris Malbon / Debut Art

Okuma Inspira ISX

Inside the Inspira’s all-metal body, the small reel packs oversized gears, protected pinion and clutch and stainless-steel bearings. With sizes down to 2000 and priced around a hundred bucks, the Inspira ISX also packs a great value.

Shimano Saragosa SW A
Shimano Saragosa SW A Chris Malbon / Debut Art

Shimano Saragosa SW A

Features like a water-resistant body, carbon drag and shielded stainless steel bearings make the Saragosa SW A virtually bulletproof. On the inside, the pinion gear is supported on both ends with low-friction bushing and a large cold-forged main gear provides cranking strength usually found on more expensive reels.

Daiwa BG MQ 2500-H
Daiwa BG MQ 2500-H Chris Malbon / Debut Art

Daiwa BG MQ 2500-H

In addition to a long list of saltwater-ready features, Daiwa’s BG MQ most unique technology is the super low-friction grease on the drag washers. When a fish takes off, the drag engages smoothly and quickly applies even and steady pressure to the line.

13 Fishing Axum
13 Fishing Axum Chris Malbon / Debut Art

13 Fishing Axum

A sealed rotor, corrosion proof ball bearings and ceramic line roller eliminate common failure points on the new 13 Fishing Axum. The soft and grippy cork reel knob is comfortable for long days finesse fishing.

Quantum Strive
Quantum Strive Chris Malbon / Debut Art

Quantum Strive

Quantum is back in a big way with the introduction of the Strive. This lightweight marvel features 11 seals to be waterproof to IP standards and beyond, with a smooth carbon fiber drag system housed in a sturdy aluminum frame for bantamweight rigidity.

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Standout Fishing Tackle From ICAST 2024 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/gear/new-fishing-tackle-icast-2024/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=56656 Much of the brand-new fishing gear revealed at this year’s ICAST should be available this fall. Here’s what caught our attention.

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Outside ICAST 2024 in Orlando Florida
The fishing industry flocks to Orlando, Florida, every summer for ICAST, the largest sportfishing trade show in the world. Here, new fishing tackle and gear is introduced before it’s available in the fall or following year. Courtesy Orange County Convention Center

Although the huge international tackle trade show, ICAST, is closed to the general public, covering it as a journalist who’s crazy about fishing meant spending two or three days gawking at brand new fishing products. So much new gear looked so interesting, innovative and promising at the July event. From the seemingly endless number of products, I’ve picked out 12 to share here. Some are so new they might not be available for a few weeks, but definitely look to be worth the wait.

Columbia PFG Pro Sport Deck Boot

Columbia PFG Pro Sport Deck Boot
Columbia PFG Pro Sport deck boot Shawn Bean

Florida Keys fly guide and Columbia PFG ambassador Capt. Bear Holeman greeted us at the brand’s exhibitor space with big hellos, high fives and hugs; the former Division I offensive lineman even lifted one petite woman off the ground. The conversation quickly led to Holeman opening his phone and sharing photos of his recent fly-fishing trip to Ireland. From there, Columbia rep Andy Nordhoff gave us a tour of their coming additions for Spring 2025, including their entry into the crowded deck boot space: the PFG Pro Sport. Two standout features: the notches on the heel for easy removal, and the Omni-MAX sole. Unlike other deck boots that are flat with no foot contour, these soles provide adaptive cushioning, enhanced stability and high-level comfort. Think of it as the evolution of basketball players going from Converse to Air Jordan. Suggested retail price: $100. www.columbia.com — Shawn Bean

Daiwa Saltiga Light Jigging Rod

Daiwa Saltiga Light Jigging Rod
Daiwa Saltiga Light Jigging Rod Courtesy Daiwa

The new Saltiga light jigging rods from Daiwa exemplify an industry trend of focus on jigging gear, making it lighter and stronger. That was evident at the ICAST show, where anglers unsuccessfully tried to break the rod, pulling against stout braid tethered securely. That strength stems from solid carbon construction, with Daiwa’s X45 carbon-fiber weave throughout the blank. Fuji K guides with SIC (silicon carbide) rings ensure smooth passage of braid, with reduced friction and heat under load. The 6-foot, 2-inch conventional models accommodate jigs to 160 grams (5.5 ounces) and to 200 grams (7 ounces). Both are designed for up to 20-pound braid. Retail is set at $449.99. daiwa.us

Fish Arrow Riser Jack Jointed Swimbait

Fish Arrow Riser Jack Jointed Swimbait
Fish Arrow Riser Jack Jointed Swimbait Doug Olander

The marketing team for this 8 ¾-inch Japanese swimbait claim its swimming action is incredibly realistic. Watching it underwater, upon a moderate retrieve, one is hard-pressed to argue with that. The Riser Jack (so named because it rises headfirst, if paused during retrieve) is a collaboration between two leading Japanese lure manufacturers. The lip is easily removed for a very different movement (for example, as a topwater wakebait). The hard-plastic jointed lure weighs 2 ½ ounces and is available in 11 colors. Manufacturer’s price is $74.07. Spare lips and v-tails in different colors are also available. kkjapanlure.com

Halco Laser Pro 210

Halco Laser Pro 210
Halco Laser Pro 210 Doug Olander

Halco’s venerable Laser Pro series has gained wide recognition as one of the premier trolling hard lures ever made. The Australian lure maker has finally bowed to popular demand and offers the largest Laser Pro ever, a 210 model. The 8 ¼-inch Laser Pro is designed with the same strength and durability as other LP models, including Halco’s noteworthy Triple-Turn split rings, the extra turn providing what Halco says is 70 percent more strength than most rings. It also uses polycarbonate lips (“bibs” Down Under) made to last. The 210 comes with super-strong inline single hooks. halcotackle.com

Isle Flywater Micro-Skiff Hybrid

Isle Flywater Micro-Skiff Hybrid
Isle Flywater Micro-Skiff Hybrid Doug Olander

Isle boasts that its new skiff-kayak hybrid is “300-percent more rigid than usual inflatables.” While that’s tough to really evaluate, a hands-on evaluation offers some justification. The Flywater’s patented Infinity Fiber composite construction makes it rugged and rigid. The 12 ½-foot boat’s shallow draft allows it the stealth to sneak into most waters. Its light weight (49 pounds hull only) makes it fast, whether paddling or with a small electric or gas trolling motor. An “Isle-Link” system is designed for installing accessories, such as one or two “Cloud Kayak Seats” (included with the boat). $1,695 list. islesurfandsup.com

Nocqua 20-Ah Lithium Battery

Nocqua 20-Ah Lithium Battery
Nocqua 20-Ah Lithium Battery Doug Olander

From personal experience, this little 12-volt rechargeable lithium battery is a small wonder for kayak anglers running electronics. Although it’s not much larger than your fist, it will easily power a 7-inch color sounder/GPS for a long day and have power left over. A water-resistant silicon skin encases the battery, further enclosed in a durable nylon sleeve. A sealed connection protects electrical integrity. The battery comes with a Nocqua Pro Battery Charger with circuit-board protection, overcharge protection and battery-level indicator. It offers a 12-month limited warranty. The 3-pound battery measures 8 by 8 by 4 inches. MSRP: $169.99.  nocqua.com

Ocean’s Legacy Roven Jigs

Ocean’s Legacy Roven Jigs
Ocean’s Legacy Roven Jigs Doug Olander

Among the more eye-catching lures on display at the 2024 ICAST show, if these jigs catch fish as effectively as fishermen, they should be dynamite. The Roven series is a dedicated slow-pitch design, offering a slow side-to-side rocking motion as it falls nearly horizontally, offering appealing action even in low-current conditions. Its glow pattern and ultra-high-UV shimmer maximize reflection. The Roven comes in 9 colors and sizes ranging from 40 grams to 260 grams, priced at $11.95 (for the 40) to $22.95 (for the 260). oceanslegacy.com

Penn Fathom Electric Reel

Penn Fathom Electric Reel
Penn Fathom Electric Reel Sam Hudson

Everyone at the show had to check out the new electric reel from Penn. The Fathom Electric reel incorporates an integrated lithium battery, easy-to-use LED display screen, and simple customizable settings. That’s right, this electric deep-dropper is entirely cordless. Well, unless you really want a cord, and Penn has optional corded batteries with pigtail or Hubbell plug connections. The reel has a max winding power of 35 lbs. and can achieve speeds of up to 750 feet per minute, says the company. Reels are currently produced in 30, 50, and 80 sizes. MSRP is expected to range from $799.95 to $899.95. Extra batteries cost about $100, chargers $100 to $200. The reels should be available in September 2024. pennfishing.com — Sam Hudson

Quantum Benchmark Spinning Reels

Quantum Benchmark Spinning Reels
Quantum Benchmark Spinning Reels Courtesy Quantum

Quantum’s venerable Cabo and Boca reels developed a loyal following for reliability at a reasonable price. Now, the manufacturer offers its Benchmark series, employing rigid aluminum frames sealed with what the reel-maker calls Sealoq 6, promising to protect internal components and five stainless-steel ball bearings from water, salt and sand. The aluminum and brass gearing is cut to tight tolerances for smooth performance. The carbon-fiber drag system is said to offer impressive max-drag levels with a consistent performance curve. Six sizes range from 2500 to 8000, accommodating 10- to 65-pound braid. Prices range from $149.95 to $189.95. quantumfishing.com

Salta MagRunner 220 Deep-Diving Lure

Salta MagRunner 220 Deep-Diving Lure
Salta MagRunner 220 Deep-Diving Lure Doug Olander

What might be the ultimate deep diver will troll to more than 100 feet, claims Salta Lures. Its MagRunner 220 offers two attachment points, one for deep trolling and the other for ultra-deep — at up to 10 knots. The MagRunner is through-wired and made of aircraft-grade polycarbonate, said to be twice as strong as ABS. It comes with two stainless-steel big-game hooks, incorporated into a four-magnet HookMag system that magnetically keeps the belly hook in the downward stinger position until released on the strike. The lure measures 8 ¾ inch and features 555-pound stainless ball-bearing swivels connecting hooks via Power-Lokk 470-pound stainless split rings. It should be available by November, 2024, at a price of $75.95-79.95. saltalures.com

Stafu Tasman Hooded Tech Shirt

Stafu Tasman Hooded Tech Shirt
Stafu Tasman Hooded Tech Shirt Doug Olander

Seen one fishing shirt and you’ve seen ‘em all? Not quite: Turkish apparel maker Stafu’s new line of Tasman Rash-Guard hoody lightweight fishing shirts for men stands out from the crowd. But beneath their innovative graphics and colors, these ultra-lightweight shirts are loaded with features for anglers, including: moisture wicking, bi-stretch fabric; antibacterial properties; 40+ UPF protection; and they’re water- and stain repellent. The shirts are 85 percent polyester and 15 percent elastane (an exceptionally elastic polyurethane). The shirt is available in several colors in addition to the striking octopus pattern shown, in sizes small to 3X large. It will sell for approximately $95. stafupro.com

Strike King Rage Hawk Soft Bait

Strike King Rage Hawk Soft Bait
Strike King Rage Hawk Soft Bait Doug Olander

Among dozens of soft-lure designs, this Rage Hawk caught the attention of many anglers at the ICAST show. Strike King quotes one bass pro as choosing this bait “when you want to show the fish something different.” An apt description, the unique shape of the Rage Hawk can be rigged weedless and pulled through cover or sight-cast in the spring. Its body will accommodate a 5/0 hook perfectly, Strike King maintains. The lure measure 3 ¼ inch. It’s available in 13 colors, and a package of nine baits sells for $6.99. strikeking.com

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When to Use Circle Hooks or J Hooks https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/howto/circle-hooks-vs-j-hooks/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:33:43 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=46772 Pros highlight prime opportunities to use J hooks rather than circle hooks.

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Striper caught using a traditional hook
Traditional inline Js work best when replacing lure trebles with single hooks. Tom Migdalski

Circle hooks have taken over many fishing applications for their conservation and hook-setting benefits, but some captains say anglers might be missing an important point: J hooks perform more effectively in certain situations.

When targeting fish with small mouths, such as tautog and winter flounder, or when pursuing aggressive gamefish, such as tuna or mahi, captains often choose J hooks. Traditional inline Js also work best when replacing lure trebles with single hooks (a process that also offers conservation benefits), and for targeting certain soft‑mouthed predators such as swordfish. But choosing the right hook always boils down to a case-by-case approach.

Bait Fishing with Crabs and Blood Worms

Tautog caught using an octopus hook
Capt. John Luchka hoists a tautog caught on an octopus hook. These fish have crushers that usually prevent deep hooking. John Luchka

“We typically use J and octopus hooks when we’re fishing for blackfish,” says Capt. John Luchka of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. “They have small mouths, and we use green, white-legger and fiddler crabs. You need that wide gap between the point of the hook and the shank to hook the crabs.”

Luchka says the tautog’s big front teeth and crushers usually prevent deep-hooking. In most cases, they’re hooked in the lip or mouth area. He cuts off the legs and claws of the crabs and runs a 3/0 or 4/0 hook through the bottom part of the crustacean where he removed one of its legs. Luchka uses inline J hooks for stripers when he’s fishing lures. He replaces treble hooks on swimming plugs with J hooks, which are easier to remove from a striper’s mouth.

J hooks also work better than circle hooks for winter flounder, he says. “They have a very, very small mouth, so we use a long-shank J-style hook or a bait-holder hook,” Luchka explains. “You’re not catching the fish deep in the throat or the gullet. For bait, we use sand worms or blood worms and thread them on the hook, a Chestertown 2/0 or 3/0. It’s hard to do that with a circle hook. And the longer shank of the hook gives you the leverage to remove the hook from a fish’s mouth and release it.”

Tuna Fishing on the Troll

When Luchka runs to the canyons for tuna and mahi, he trolls rigged ballyhoo with a 6/0 to 8/0 J hook, depending on the bait size. “[Mahis’] feeding behavior is very vigorous, so most of the time you’re going to hook that fish in the mouth,” he says.

To catch tuna, he fishes either naked ballyhoo or pairs that bait with a Joe Shute skirted lure. J hooks lie flat in the bait, unlike circle hooks, which would have to be bridled to a ballyhoo because “it’s next to impossible to thread a bait on a circle hook.”

When to Use J-Hooks

Marlin caught using a J-hook setup
For trolling marlin lures, the single or double J-hook setup has always been the preferred rig. Scott Kerrigan / www.aquapaparazzi.com

Capt. Tony DiGiulian, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also replaces the plug trebles with J hooks. Otherwise, he only uses J hooks when he trolls lures and when he’s daytime swordfishing. Although he experiments with circle hooks for that fishery.

“You would probably have a better hookup ratio,” says DiGiulian, who releases both undersize and keeper-size swordfish. “If we get into a big pod of mahi, one thing we do is try to release a lot of fish. If we’re catching 5-or 6-pound females, we let all of them go. Our personal standard for size is way higher than what the state or federal limits are. We use circle hooks because we want to make sure that we can harvest the fish that we target, and that the fish we are releasing are released in good condition.”

When trolling for kingfish with planers and lures or strip baits, or targeting big blue marlin and tuna, he uses J hooks. “If I were trolling, I’d use either a single J hook or a double J hook set,” he adds.

Under special circumstances, he also uses J hooks when live-baiting for kingfish. “If I’m targeting just kingfish, and I know I’m in a spot where there are no sailfish around, I might fish some J hooks with live baits,” he explains. “Fish such as kingfish or wahoo, with really sharp teeth, like to immobilize a bait by biting off the tail or biting it in half. Then they eat the remaining chunk as it sinks, and the hookup ratio with a J hook is traditionally greater. Kingfish of 5 to 10 pounds are harder to hook on a circle hook. The big ones eat the whole bait on a circle hook.”

Better Hooks for Baitfish

Nice sized yellowtail caught in California
Stout rods, lever-drag reels and live bait help anglers land powerful yellowtail such as this 40-pounder at San Clemente Island. Jim Hendricks

Capt. Jamie Thinnes, who fishes out of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego, says he primarily uses J hooks except when he’s fishing for bluefin tuna. A drawn-out battle with a bluefin often ends when the tuna spits the J hook because the angler failed to stay tight to the fish as it neared the boat and begin moving erratically.

Bluefin tuna, they’re just smart; they just roll over and do a complete 180 on you,” he says. “Our catch rate is usually a lot higher with circle hooks.”

Yellowfin tuna are a different story. “If we’re fishing for yellowfins or yellowtail, we’re using mostly J hooks. A 3- to 4-inch live sardine is a perfect yellowtail-size bait.”

Thinnes uses light line, 20-pound fluorocarbon leaders and No. 2 and No. 4 Mustad bronze hooks up to 1/0 or 2/0. “For a small bait to swim really well, we have to collar-hook it. Being able to get a bait on the hook without damaging the bait is important. A J hook hurts the bait less. We’re able to grab a bait out of the livewell, snap it on the hook and let it out immediately. The less handling the better. Hooking a bait on a circle hook is more challenging.”

So don’t let those old J hooks rust just yet. At times, they’ll run circles around the competition.

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Best Circle Hook Rigs for Striped Bass https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/howto/best-circle-hook-rigs-for-striped-bass/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 22:39:00 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=47783 If you're using live or cut bait, try one of these tactics.

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Large striped bass caught along the waterfront
Anglers using bait to catch stripers must now employ circle hooks to help reduce release mortality. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

If you walk into any Mid-Atlantic or Northeast tackle shop, fishing club or shady dockside bar and start talking about circle hooks, expect some mixed opinions. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission rules require anglers to use non-offset circle hooks when fishing bait for striped bass. And some stock assessments show that stripers are still not where they’re supposed to be. Circle hooks reduce release mortality. Despite some circle-hook skepticism, captains and pros have used them for years. They say the conservation-minded hooks work exceptionally well if you know how to rig them.

Fishing With Eeels

Baiting an eel using a circle hook
Hooking an eel ain’t easy; pin it so that it swims straight without tangling the line. Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

In late winter, Capt. Kenny Louderback slow trolls live eels off Virginia’s Eastern Shore. He fishes up to 10 rods, using planer boards to spread out the lines. The tactic produces a lot of slack line between the rod tip and the bait, which can impede striper hookups on circle-hook rigs. To improve his odds, Louderback says he waits until the fish pulls line off the reel before he takes the rod out of the holder. He also uses a lightweight circle-hook rig.

He snells an 8/0 Gamakatsu circle hook to 4 feet of 50-pound fluorocarbon, capped with a 150-pound-test barrel swivel. He slides a small, ½-ounce egg sinker onto his 30-pound monofilament mainline, and then ties the mainline to the swivel, creating a Carolina rig. To control the bait’s depth, he uses a heavier egg sinker. “I want just enough weight to keep my baits just below the surface,” he says.

Eels are slippery and very uncooperative. Given a chance, the slimy worm ties itself in a knot or slinks overboard. Louderback hooks the eel through the nose so it swims straight without tangling the line. Louderback points out that circle hooks improve the release survival of his catch.

Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass

Striper caught on a circle hook
The shape and design of a circle hook enable the point to pierce most fish in the corner of the mouth. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Some years, 70 percent of the world’s striped bass come out of Chesapeake Bay, and Maryland anglers have perfected methods for catching these fish year-round. Capt. Greg Shute favorite time of year to target striped bass occurs in late spring and summer, when he anchors along a drop or channel edge and fishes menhaden chunks and live spot.

To fish cut menhaden, Shute uses a bottom rig with a 6/0 to 8/0 light-wire circle hook, made from narrower, more malleable wire. “I like a light-wire hook because it pierces the fish’s jaw,” he says. He snells the hook to 18 inches of 25-pound fluorocarbon, and ties the leader to a swivel. He threads a fish-finder slide and bank sinker onto his 20-pound-braid mainline, and then ties the mainline to the swivel and leader. Shute lightly passes the hook through a small piece of the chunk bait so the bait doesn’t interfere with the hook gap.

Different rigs for targeting stripers
When Capt. Greg Shute fishes cut menhaden, he uses a bottom rig with a sliding sinker. For live bait, Shute loses the swivel and weight to drift liveys to hungry stripers. Ric Burnley

When he uses a live spot, Shute creates the same rig, but leaves out the swivel and sinker. He ties the leader directly to the mainline. “If I need a little extra weight I’ll pinch on a split shot,” he says. He runs the hook through the spot’s back, behind the head and in front of the dorsal fin. “This encourages the bait to swim down,” he explains. It also creates a solid connection without deep-hooking the bait.

New Jersey Cow Striped Bass

Striped bass held up next to the boat
Capt. Greg Cudnik prefers using wide-gap circle hooks like the Mustad 39951. Capt. Greg Cudnik / fishheadlbi.com

Capt. Greg Cudnik targets striped bass off the famed Long Beach Island in central New Jersey. From spring through fall, Cudnik chases striped bass in the ocean, inlet and back bays with live spot, eels and menhaden. To fish a live spot or eel, Cudnik chooses a 5/0 circle hook. For live menhaden, he upsizes to a 9/0 circle hook. He prefers a wide-gap circle hook, like the Mustad 39951, that he can dig a little deeper into the bait.

Cudnik snells the hook to 25 inches of 50-pound fluorocarbon tied to a small, 230-pound-test swivel. He passes his 30-pound braid mainline through a ¾-ounce egg sinker and ties it to the other end of the swivel. He wants to keep the bait on or near the bottom with as little weight as possible. “I don’t want the fish to feel the weight,” he says.

When he fishes live spot, Cudnik hooks the bait in the mouth and out the cheek plate for a solid connection. He hooks a live menhaden near the tail. “The tail presents a solid place to insert the hook,” he explains, adding the bait swims naturally and the tail doesn’t inhibit the hook gap. Cudnik particularly recommends circle hooks to new anglers. “People who haven’t learned how to use a J-hook have an easier time with a circle hook,” he says. Keep steady pressure on the line, and the hook will find its home, he adds.

New England Stripers

Large Striped bass using a large circle hook
Capt. Jack Sprengel chooses a circle hook that’s 30 percent larger than an appropriate-size J-hook. Capt. Jack Sprengel / eastcoastchartersri.com

Fishing out of Rhode Island, Capt. Jack Sprengel has made a science of using circle hooks for striped bass. “I’ve been using circle hooks for years because they actually make it easier to hook a big bass,” he says. Sprengel starts the day catching menhaden with a cast net, gill net or snag rig. With live bait onboard, he heads off looking for bait schools and structure in Narragansett Bay. “When the current is moving, I drift the baits, and when it drops out I bump troll,” he says.

To handle a huge striped bass, Sprengel breaks out a 6000 size reel. He spools the reel with 30-pound PowerPro. “I like traditional four-carrier braid,” Sprengel says, preferring the heavier, more abrasion-resistant line to keep a 50-pound trophy out of the rocks.

The sturdy tackle allows Sprengel to put smooth pressure on a big striper with a light, 25-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. He uses a 30-inch leader in dirty water and 48 inches in clear water. To further reduce distractions for the fish, Sprengel attaches the leader directly to the mainline.

Hook size plays a critical role in success. As a rule of thumb, Sprengel chooses a circle hook that’s 30 percent larger than the appropriate-size J-hook. A larger hook allows him to hook the bait deeper with plenty of gap to catch the striper’s jaw.

Sprengel has tested his knots for effectiveness and prefers to attach his hook with a Palomar or uni-knot. “The knot allows the hook to pivot,” he says, explaining that when the circle hook pulls into the corner of the striper’s mouth, the hook pivots to drive the point into the fish’s jaw. He also improves the circle hook’s efficacy by lightly hooking the bait. “Bridling is the best,” he says. Use floss to lash the bait to the hook, providing a strong connection without interfering with the hook gap.

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When to Downsize Your Tackle https://www.sportfishingmag.com/light-tackle-fishing-techniques/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:53:25 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=45887 When fishing's tough, score big with light-tackle.

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Female angler holding redfish
Redfish this size require light leaders and long casts in clear, shallow waters. Adrian E. Gray

In south Texas’ glassy inshore waters, Capt. Brian Barrera of South Padre Island targets redfish, seatrout and even snook using jig heads and soft baits on light leaders. He catches spooky fish in the clear waters — but to do so, he has to ­downsize his tackle.

“Sight-fishing in 8 inches of water, I have to drop down from 20- to 10-pound braid to make longer casts,” says Barrera. “Jig heads must be ⅛ to 1⁄16 ounces. Four- to 6-inch finger mullet require smaller hooks, too. Don’t use a swivel to connect braid to leader; instead use a line-to-leader knot.”

Because fish are often on edge in his local waters, Barrera prefers to fish greener, off-color waters around his local sand flats. He’s also meticulous about not crowding the fish he’s targeting. “I really try to limit boat noise,” he points out. “You want your casts to be as long as possible to reach undisturbed fish.”

For Barrera, a switch to lighter tackle is a vital strategy for increased hookups. Other top captains along coastal shores employ similar tactics. Consider the scenarios below, each one describing a dramatically different fishery. The captains I interviewed all trim down their tackle differently for success. Chances are you can utilize some of the same techniques the next time you downsize.

Late-Season Tuna Fishing

Albacore tuna fish fishing Washington
Capt. Mark Coleman excites the albacore tuna bite off Washington’s coast by slowing his trolling speed and downsizing his lures. Mike Mazur

Albacore are sized favorably to ­succumb to light tackle in the Pacific Northwest. “During the early season on the West Coast [starting in mid-June], albacore tuna tend to be very naive and susceptible to fast-trolled ­surface lures,” says Capt. Mark Coleman, of All Rivers & Saltwater Charters in Westport, Washington.

For anglers, it’s easy fishing for the tasty tuna just two hours off the Washington coast. But as the season progresses, these fish move off the troll gear and prefer live baits on a dead-boat drift. Most of the anchovies used as bait are small in stature, measuring just 4 to 6 inches.

“I have found that by downsizing our trolling lures and cutting our trolling speed in half, we can bring back the excellent trolling action we experience in the early season,” says Coleman.

But why troll when the action’s wide-open on live bait? Well, many times, longfins aren’t feeding at the surface, and that makes them hard to find. “Along with a few other indicators, trolling hookups help us locate the fish,” he explains. “Downsizing your leader from 30- to 20-pound and decreasing your hook size from a No. 1 to 4 make a big difference.”

Fishing Docklights at Night

Snook swimming around Florida dock light
Snook spiral around a South Florida dock light, dining on miniature shrimp and baitfish. Casting a big bait into the halo is an awful strategy; instead, try fly or light-tackle gear. Rick DePaiva

In South Florida, nighttime anglers in skiffs position down-current of docks outfitted with LEDs. The tiny shrimp, baitfish and plankton clouds attracted to the halos of light tempt game fish such as snook, speckled seatrout and redfish. Because the baits are so small, lobbing a big plug or live bait up-current near the dock is an awful strategy. Often the water is clear, too, so casting bait or lures too large, or getting a boat too close to the structure, spooks that prize ­swimming along the shadow line.

Fly-anglers favor casting baitfish imitators, such as white Clouser flies on 6- and 8-weight outfits. Personally, I remember many nights fishing with friends and doing pretty well on spin tackle; still, nearby boats ­casting fly tackle ate our lunch. The only instances we could match fly tackle fish-for-fish occurred when snook targeted our D.O.A, Z-Man or Gulp! shrimp tied to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Bait size matters at night for ­stripers, too.

“We call it fire in the water,” says Capt. Jay Cianciolo, of Laura-Jay Sportfishing Charters in Sandwich, Massachusetts. When there’s lots of phosphorus and other nutrients in the water, increased numbers of dinoflagellates turn on the light show of bioluminescence to evade predators.

“That’s when I drop down to small ‘pencil’ eels,” he says. “Big eels leave trails in the water, which I believe might push stripers off the feed. [In these circumstances] small eels always get bit better.”

Spinning Tackle for the Win

Angler holding cobia caught fishing light tackle
No chumming or live-baiting necessary. Have more fun catching cobia by sight-casting small soft plastics or hard baits on 4,000-size spinners, says Capt. Brandon Long. Capt. Brandon K. Long

Cobia are great light-line adversaries, and not enough anglers take advantage of the unique species on scaled-back tackle. The visual fishery across southeastern and mid-Atlantic waters makes a ling’s aggressive bite and fight all the more exciting to light-tackle anglers.

“I know many captains who use ­levelwinds like Shimano TLDs, Avets, Accurates and many others,” says Capt. Brandon Long, of Long Overdue Charters in Charleston, South Carolina. “But over the past couple of years I’ve gone lighter and started having much more fun with cobia.”

Long fishes the brown bombers ­using 4,000- to 6,000-size spinning reels paired with medium-light rods. You don’t want the 4,000 in your hand when an 80-pounder pops up boatside, but for fish in the 15- to 50-pound class, it’s ideal.

“Lighter tackle makes it much easier to cast, present to and feed these fish with smaller plastics and hard baits,” says Long. “I fish 4- to 9-inch Z-Man Jerk ShadZ, smaller subsurface hard baits, and ½- to 3-ounce bucktails rigged with trailers.”

When Long downsizes his reels, he upgrades his drag washers. He also spools his reels with 20- to 30-pound braided line to guarantee sufficient line capacity, terminating with 50- or 60-pound mono leader.

“Felt drag washers will get ­destroyed by fish if not greased properly,” Long points out. “To avoid this issue, I replace all my drag washers with carbon washers from companies such as Carbontex; the strength and heat diffusion these washers handle produce much smoother fights.”

Fish the Docks During the Day

Soft fishing bait
Home-crafted soft baits like this jerkbait tempt fish holed up under docks. Capt. Brian Barrera

Targeting tarpon and snook in the Brownsville ship channel and basin, Capt. Brian Barrera focuses on the deep sections of channel, along dock structure, and on freshwater runoff channels called resacas. Instead of trolling heavy gear around the jetties (a preferred tactic in the area), Barrera uses home-crafted soft baits to cast deep into the legs of docks.

The bait consists of a ⅛-ounce Tungsten bullet weight atop a 2/0 to 5/0 octopus 4x circle hook. A jerkbait holds to the circle hook with a screw lock or hitchhiker.

“Those tarpon come out from the docks in the morning, but go back into the pilings when the sun’s up,” says Barrera. “I cast far back under the docks and use 20- to 30-pound fluoro leader to get them to bite during the day.”

Play the Odds

Fishermen holding big bluefin tuna fish
Bruiser bluefin tuna sometimes require a “lighter” touch, even if that still means 130-pound fluorocarbon leader and an 8/0 circle hook to entice a bite. Doug Olander

Capt. Jay Cianciolo can’t help but gamble. Live-baiting for trophy bluefin tuna far off the coast, he sometimes marks fish on the sounder when he can’t buy a bite.

“That’s when I’ll gamble,” says Cianciolo. “I’ll drop down to 130 fluorocarbon leader and an 8/0 circle hook.” That might not seem like light tackle, but large bluefins often necessitate 11/0 hooks and 180-plus-pound leader. “Usually, I’ll start getting bites then,” he says, “even though I definitely don’t land them all.”

The gambit is worthwhile for Cianciolo, especially when line-shy fish require lighter leaders. You don’t have to take the same risks with light tackle, and plenty of opportunities are available for anglers to downsize their gear and still maintain high landing percentages. So whether fishing inshore, nearshore or far offshore, consider dropping some of that tackle weight — it might just turn into your most productive trip of the season.

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Add Blades to Your Fishing Lures https://www.sportfishingmag.com/blade-fishing-lures-how-to/ Mon, 20 May 2024 14:56:22 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=48534 Tip the odds in your favor with flash on your artificials.

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Dolphinfish swimming under sargassum weed caught saltwater fishing lure with blade
Try modified metal jigs that incorporate blades to lure mahi (pictured), wahoo, tuna and other species. Jason Arnold / jasonarnoldphoto.com

Richard Root burned his lure back to the boat, eager to entice a strike from a marauding wahoo. The wahoo bomb’s hook held securely to a black swivel and split ring, connected to a hexed blade spinning faster than a tornado. Flash and speed proved too enticing, and he soon pulled tight to a beastly wahoo.

Root’s success with a blade wasn’t a fluke; it proves that blades aren’t just for guys with carpet in their boats. Root was fishing far offshore in Baja Mexico’s Pacific waters when the ’hoo hit.

Flashy lures and modifications for saltwater anglers are diverse and widespread. The flash of a blade whirling, just like a silver-sided baitfish reflecting sunlight, often tips the odds in your favor. Whether a coastal or offshore fisherman, chances are you probably don’t have a single lure with a blade in your tackle bag. Not enough anglers take advantage of this simple lure component. Here’s why you should.

Deep sea fishing rod and offshore reel with skirted wahoo lure
Bank on bladed baits offshore. Wahoo bombs incorporate a spinning blade behind a skirt to entice high-speeding wahoo. Sam Hudson

Bladed Baits for Inshore Fishing

Where bladed soft baits truly shine are the coastal off-colored bays, rivers and marshes.

“There are very few venues where bladed baits don’t excel,” says Capt. C.A. Richardson, of Tampa Bay, Florida, and host of Flats Class TV. “Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. At night, snook and big seatrout have always hit spoons in dim ­conditions. That’s a great time to throw soft ­plastics with a blade.”

Low light is key, along with cloudy waters and the presence of baitfish. “On a crystal-clear flat with few baitfish present, I’ll use a spoon or ‘naked’ soft plastic,” says Richardson. “But if I’m fishing in the marsh where there are plenty of pogies and mullet, I want my bait to stand out. I want something that looks different, something that’s aggressive with a bigger profile. Alpha fish want that type of bait, one that throws a bigger wake.”

Bladed soft baits have other ­advantages, including casting farther than lightweight plastics, so they’re ideal as prospect or search baits when blind-casting. Plus, the blade itself provides a weedless element.

Bladed saltwater fishing lures
A collection of individual blades, modified hard lures and inshore baits. Zach Stovall / Sport Fishing

“I’ll throw bladed baits on top of oysters and spartina grass, and then slowly pull the baits off the structure in front of redfish,” says Richardson. “A spoon or soft plastic goes right through the grass, getting stuck; I want to make a subtle presentation that doesn’t blow out the fish.”

Richardson will throw bladed soft baits in 1 to 8 feet of water. Too shallow and he opts for a simple spoon, but in deeper depths he’ll stick with bladed soft baits such as the Z-Man DieZel Spin. “Use a half-ounce head and slow-roll the bait deeper,” he says. “It’s perfect for fish that drop off a flat and hang in the deeper channel waters. There’s not as much light down there.”

Top soft baits with blades include Z-Man’s DieZel ChatterBait and Spin, Terminator’s Snagless In-line Spinner, and Castaic’s Lynch Mob, among others. Of course, you can take one of these baits, or others, and modify it with your favorite soft tails.

“Try adding an artificial-shrimp trailer to a spinnerbait for areas where marsh drains out, especially during the outgoing tide,” he says. “I use a ‘­helicopter retrieve,’ letting the bait bounce up and down. New penny is a perfect color in the turbid waters.”

Redfish caught inshore fishing soft fishing bait lure with blade
The off-color, brackish waters of marshes and bays are prime habitat to throw soft baits with “bling” for species like redfish. Courtesy Zman Fishing

Score Offshore

Metal jigs, and even plugs and poppers, benefit from blade modifications. Sport Fishing editor Doug Olander alters all three, at times, with ­additional bling.

“I prefer the metallic colors (gold and silver) or white blades,” says Olander. “For jigs, I favor smaller rather than larger blades, figuring the small blades still offer good flash without hindering free flutter much.”

As Olander points out, the trick is to add flash and attraction without altering the lure’s presentation, increasing bites from your target species. He’s not particular about the fish species or depth; he’s had luck with most fish that commonly attack metal.

“Though I rarely put them on poppers, when I have, I swapped out the rear treble with a big single hook and the front treble with a blade,” says Olander. “For deep-diving lures, I might add a blade at the back split ring. Blades and hooks are easy to swap out with split-ring pliers.”

Olander gladly admits to ­experimenting with different sizes, shapes and colors of blades. That’s all part of the fun, he says. Possible ­attachment points include replacing either of the hooks with blades, adding a smaller blade to a split ring that’s also occupied by a hook, or adding a blade to the leader in front of the lure.

Red grouper fish caught jigging modified fishing jig with blade addition
This red grouper attacked a metal jig outfitted with a blade. Use blades to experiment with your own jigs and hard plugs, always making sure the lure swims true. Jason Arnold / jasonarnoldphoto.com

How to Modify Lures to Add Blades

“Blades are application specific,” says Rollie Vallin, national sales manager for the Worth Company, makers of blades, split rings and clevises. “You probably won’t use a size 0 for barracuda, but there really are no limiting factors. It’s completely up to the angler how he wants to build.”

Still, it pays to have an idea of what’s available, including the different types of blades. “The width of the blade determines how fast the blade rotates in correlation to its length,” says Vallin.

A wide and short blade such as a Colorado blade turns slower but has more vibration. Willow blades are much thinner and spin faster, but they don’t exude as much pulsation. Indiana blades are a mix between the two, shaped almost like a pear. Worth sells all different types of blades, with popular finishes in gold, nickel, silver and copper, says Vallin.

“The best action for a straight, steady retrieve is a Colorado blade,” says Richardson, “for that deep ­vibration and thump, thump retrieve.”

Clevis fasteners, like those used on spinnerbaits, allow anglers to add a blade to the leader in front of the lure itself. Worth’s Clip N Spin clevis handles most blade sizes and is easy to use, says Vallin.

Using a clevis is much better than threading a leader straight through the hole of the blade, discovered Olander. “I liked the idea of a blade spinning in front of the lure, with the leader running through the blade,” he said. “But I had enough ‘mysterious’ breakoffs that I stopped doing that.”

To attach a blade to a lure, ­sometimes it’s as easy as using the available split rings or adding your own rings to the lure. Channel your inner mad scientist to see what works. Add a blade to the front or rear hook eye of a hard bait, and then cast it out. Does it swim true? Similarly, test a blade at the top or bottom points of a speed jig.

“It’s all about research,” says Vallin. “Always test it out. Cast it out there in real-life conditions to see what makes the best fish trap.”

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Braid vs. Mono Fishing Line https://www.sportfishingmag.com/braid-vs-mono/ Fri, 03 May 2024 18:35:28 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=47538 Tips on how and when to use braided or monofilament fishing lines.

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Fishing for northeast fluke
Braid’s sensitivity makes it a great line for working jigs, plugs and lures to catch species such as fluke. Matt Rissell

Deciding when to use braided fishing line vs. monofilament fishing line might seem intuitive in most cases. Not so fast! One pro advocates braided line for all bottom fishing applications, while another says braid inhibits bites in clear water, even with a fluorocarbon leader. One says monofilament offers more abrasion resistance; another says braided line does.

As usual — easy ain’t easy in the braid vs. mono equation. And questions like “why use braided fishing line” or asking “when to use braided fishing line” all of a sudden becomes a lot harder to answer. Most fishing pros agree on the following basic generalizations for the best fishing line in specific situations — with a few caveats:

  • Trolling: mono
  • Live-bait fishing: mono
  • Kite-fishing: mono
  • Bottomfishing/jigging: braid
  • Fishing structure: braid
  • Casting plugs/lures (especially with spin tackle): braid
  • Fishing kelp: braid

When to Use Braided Fishing Line

redfish catch Louisiana
Inshore anglers like the extended casting distance they get with braid. Redfish are a top target. Sam Hudson

Redfish tournament pros often use braid because it doesn’t stretch yet improves casting distance. A lot of fish on shallow flats, in places such as Florida’s west coast, remain spooky and wary. Anglers need to cast as far as possible so the bait stays away from the boat. With a bait that far away, the taut, no-give braid can better drive home the hook point. Just how much farther braid casts remains debatable, but its smaller diameter compared with mono means it flies through the air and cuts through water more easily.

When is the best time to use braided fishing line? Lighter braid in the 10-pound class works well on open flats. Switch to heavier braid — 40- to 50-pound — reels when fishing around structure such as mangroves. The stronger braid allows anglers to pull fish from structure quickly where mono might give the fish time and distance to wrap a few roots.

Braid’s sensitivity makes it a great line for working plugs and lures, particularly crankbaits or spinnerbaits that have movement. Bottom fishermen have almost all gravitated toward braid fishing line. The angler can feel a bite or piece of grass on the line, and braid creates better contact with a hooked fish.

Surf fishing reel
Surf anglers need to launch their baits toward the horizon. That’s where braided line shines with its small diameter. Sam Hudson

Braid also offers more strength compared with line diameter, which means anglers can pack more line onto smaller reels — an advantage for long-range tuna fishermen off Southern California. SoCal yellowtail anglers prefer braid because it quickly slices through kelp, a favorite hiding place for those Pacific brawlers.

But while braid’s strength creates confidence, its knot-failure rate means connections must be tried and tested. When you tie mono and braid together, braid will win. Pros know how to make the best connections between braid and mono, and while they use braid for a main line, they also rig long top shots and wind-on leaders offshore to add stretch and subtract visibility.

The evolution of braided lines in recent years has helped to eliminate early issues with wind knotting and tip wrapping. Monofilament has also come a long way, as the formulas now include multiple ingredients to focus on lowering stretch and memory and improving tensile strength. The current manufacturing trend seems to be combining the best attributes of the two.

When to Use Monofilament Fishing Line

Dropping back a ballyhoo to a sailfish
When trolling or dropping back a ballyhoo to a sailfish, the stretch of mono is vital to prevent pulled hooks. Mark Going/Columbia Sportswear

What mono and fluorocarbon bring to the table is stretch, which can be a positive and a negative. If you use too much drag or too heavy a rod, mono might accommodate the shock from a quick hit or surging fish, where braid might snap at the knot.

Mono’s stretch becomes especially critical when anglers go big-game trolling, where a fish weighing hundreds of pounds can hit with devastating force. Most offshore anglers also use mono for safety reasons. Take a wrap past the leader with braid, and you could lose a finger if a big fish struggles boat-side.

Mono holds knots better and costs less than braid. It also works better on smaller bait-casting reels because light braid can dig into itself. Florida sailfish and dolphin anglers still use a lot of mono on the troll, and some use it for kite lines because it runs through the clips better.

Costa Rica trolling rigs
Conventional rigs for trolling are almost always rigged with mono; anglers tend to choose monofilament for its stretch and abrasion resistance.

Mono also helps prevent possible cutoffs when using kites. A fish that takes off with a kite bait fished on braid, crossing other lines, could inadvertently sever them. In fact, there’s still a huge demand for mono, especially for use in clear water — whether you’re trying to get a snapper bite or casting to a bonefish.

In some cases, mono isn’t quite good enough. Kingfish tournament anglers sometimes use fluorocarbon as mainline. Yes, that’s expensive, but fluoro can offer the angler better feel when fighting the fish, and with a trace of wire leader, the rig stays intact. Fluorocarbon features average tensile strength, but its knot strength rates below that of nylon. It does offer good abrasion resistance, better than mono, and some say better than braid.

Braid’s main strength is straight up and down. When its fibers abrade, the line can sometimes become compromised, but in general, it’s still much stronger than mono at the same diameter.

The Features of Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

Even though fluorocarbon can seem too expensive a mainline choice for offshore anglers, inshore fishermen often do use it because of its higher shock strength. Its primary drawback besides price: susceptibility to friction.

Anglers must also take extra care when tying knots. Some knots, such as the Palomar, don’t do well when tied in fluoro. Follow some general guidelines when choosing mono or braid, and you should increase your hookups and suffer fewer cutoffs.

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