Forward facing sonar (FFS), or what I like to call live sonar, stands as one of the most revolutionary new technologies in angling. Offered by brands such as Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance, FFS paints real-time, ultrasound-like screen images of structure and fish as far as 500 feet from the boat. Popularized largely by freshwater tournament bass anglers, FFS opens new opportunities to target big fish and determine how they are behaving before wetting a line.

Forward facing sonar is definitely changing the nature of angling. I will let you be the judge if that’s a good change or not. But no matter how you feel, the genie is already out of the bottle. That being the case, Berkley is matching this dramatic technology trend with three lines of remarkable lures designed specifically for fishing with FFS.

Quicklook: Best Berkley Forward Facing Sonar Lures

• Krej: Uniquely engineered jerk bait with an upside-down bill and backward darting action
• Finisher: A hovering hard bait designed to maximize hang time within the FFS sonar beam
• Power Switch: Soft-plastic bait with an internal leadhead that offers a tantalizing action when twitched, and reflects sonar signals exceedingly well

Breaking Down Berkley’s Lures for Forward Facing Sonar

“Berkley is the leader in science-based bait development, and we take pride in providing anglers with the best solution to help them catch fish in any environment,” says Jon Schlosser, Berkley’s chief brand and product officer. “We’ve known that forward-facing sonar was coming and have spent the past few years learning about the trend in anticipation of it catching on.

“Berkley Labs has been able to create some truly special baits that are proven to catch more fish with FFS,” Schlosser adds. “It’s exciting to see how revolutionary these baits are, not only in their design, but in how they enable anglers to manipulate their baits in ways that have never been done before.”

Krej

This odd name is actually “jerk” spelled backward, which is fitting since the Krej sports an upside-down bill and works its way upward and backslides toward fish chasing this hard bait. This not only entices fish to bite, but also keeps the lure in the live-sonar beam strike zone for extended periods of time, providing anglers with more chances to see how fish are responding and tease them into biting.

“The Krej is a bait that performs like no other hard bait, especially when paired with forward-facing sonar,” says Dan Spengler, senior project engineer of bait and terminal tackle for Berkley. “Over two years to develop, the bait’s upturned bill gives anglers several ways to manipulate it, providing a solution to the current gaps when using forward-facing sonar.” The 100 mm bait sinks at a foot per second and is available in 10 color patterns. $14.99 – Shop now

Finisher

The Finisher hard bait optimizes time in the FFS sonar beam by “hovering” and moving laterally in the water column with minimal retrieve progression. This lets the angler effectively maneuver the bait based on how the fish is reacting to it, as observed on the live-sonar display. The fin-less glide bait’s weight-forward design also allows for precision casts, fast drop-ins, and a wide range of actions, according to Berkley. The perpendicular line-tie maintains knot position at all times.

“What makes this bait unique is that it has no fin structure, which can allow it to do a multitude of actions,” Spengler says. Its flat bottom lets it hover or hang in the water column, enabling anglers to control how the lure is interacting with fish spotted on FFS, he explains. The Finisher comes with two Fusion19 treble hooks, and is available in 500, 700 and 900 mm sizes and 20 color patterns. $8.99 to $10.99 – Shop now

PowerBait Power Switch

The Berkley PowerBait Power Switch gives anglers the control to quickly switch techniques (hence the name) in response to how the fish are behaving as observed on FFS.

When a fish is located on FFS, the window to catch the fish can close fast. Power Switch lets anglers present their bait as quickly and precisely as possible with an internal leadhead that creates strong sonar returns. The weight-forward design of this soft-plastic bait allows for precision casts, fast fall rates and a wide range of actions. Packed with PowerBait flavor and pre-rigged with a Fusion19 hook, Power Switch appeals to a wide range of species, according to Berkley. 

“This bait can sink fast, hover at the angler’s desired water column, with each action working together in one profile,” says Kyle Peterson, project engineer for Berkley. “It gives anglers everything they need to best interact with fish, especially when paired with forward-facing sonar.” The Power Switch features a natural baitfish profile and 3D eyes, and comes in 1.75-, 2.5, 3-, 4.25 and 5-inch versions. It is available in standard, HD Tru Color and holographic “wizard” colors—14 color patterns in all. $9.99 – View all the options

FAQ

The post 3 Specialized Lures for Forward Facing Sonar appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

In warm-water locations worldwide, wahoo is predominantly targeted on the troll. While this is one of the most-productive methods to locate and target these gamefish, you tend to miss out on their hard fighting ability and extravagant runs using this method.

Southern California Wahoo Fishing

In Southern California, the long-range charter fleet has been targeting them quite differently for years. They cast to them with “wahoo bombs” and jigs. The methods and range of lures maximize the opportunity of encountering wahoo, often leading to multiple hookups on the boat. In some areas, wahoo really stack up in high numbers. With trolling, you might just get a strike or two when passing through a productive area. Casting to wahoo can be incredibly effective.

The long-range fleet comprises nearly two dozen boats that call San Diego Bay home. Each vessel has been thoughtfully designed as a multi-day fishing machine for anglers. When describing these operations, think of it as hotel meets tasty restaurant meets spacious fishing platform. Trips on these boats can range from just three days to 28 days. The longest trips use the extended period to explore far and reach remote bountiful banks for less-pressured bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, yellowtail and more.

Southern California and its long-range boats have a significant history with wahoo (or “skins,” as they are called among the fleet). On these trips — which explore the local banks off SoCal all the way south to Cabo — wahoo is one of the primary fishing targets. While catching wahoo is not a new endeavor, how this fleet targets this delicious gamefish warrants explanation.

Trolling Helps Locate Wahoo

For better or worse, trolling is the most common method to target wahoo worldwide. It’s tough to argue that there is a better method to locating wahoo than trolling. In most cases, this leads to one or two fish being landed per bite. Here’s the important part: Anglers onboard should be ready to cast lures once a wahoo is hooked on the troll. Being ready to cast quickly leads to several more or, at times, a wide-open bite on these toothy critters.

Wahoo are seldomly alone, and usually, they are in schools ranging from just a few fish to dozens of fish. The schooling behavior presents an opportunity to maximize fish-catching after a troll hook-up. On these head boats, trolling Braud Marauders, Yo-Zuri Bonitas, Nomad MadMacs or diving lures are used to locate a school.

When to Cast Lures for Wahoo

Once a hook-up occurs, the deckhand at the bait tank entices the rest of the fish to stick around by tossing out some baits. Once the baitfish start flying, so do the lures. At this point, anglers will begin casting their wahoo bombs or other assortment of wahoo lures during what’s called “the slide.” The slide is when the boat is still in motion but slowing, eventually sliding to a stop. The overabundance of lures, bait, and hooked fish often turns wahoo aggressive, resulting in a feeding frenzy.

This style of fishing, at times, can be best described as controlled chaos. There is nothing like hooking a wahoo on a jig (often called an “iron”) or wahoo bomb. The sudden stopping of your jig at the hook-up, your line racing across the water’s surface faster than you’ve ever seen it. It’s truly an unforgettable experience. At times, these wahoo-feeding frenzies get so aggressive that they’ll strike just about anything you cast in front of them.

The Best Lures to Cast for Wahoo

Ideally, when casting to wahoo, you want you’re lure to have specific characteristics:

• Castability: Your lure needs to be heavy enough to give you the ability to make a significant cast as the boat is sliding. Most wahoo bombs and jigs are in the 2- to 4-ounce range.
• Speed: Wahoo are speed demons, and you need to be able to have a lure that matches their speed. You should be able to retrieve this lure at a very fast retrieve. A tight wiggle is all you need out of your lure.
• Hooks: Rig with the sharpest hooks available. Think your hook is sharp? Sharpen it even more. These fish have tough boney mouths, making penetrating their jaw difficult.
• Sink: You need a lure that will sink down after casting out. The urge is to cast then retrieve immediately, but I can tell you’ll double the number of strikes by letting your lure sink 30 to 50 feet down before retrieving.
• Color: While the verdict is out, and every angler will give you a different opinion, it’s common to have blacks and dark colors against fluorescent colors. Blacks and pinks are great for wahoo.
• Tip: When selecting lures to cast at wahoo, don’t limit yourself to wahoo bombs and jigs. Take the descriptors above; if it applies to your lures, try it.  Stick baits have also been a successful option in recent years.

What Tackle to Use for Wahoo

As you guessed, conventional tackle is the go-to option on the Pacific Coast. Today, we can access fantastic gear from various manufacturers with this fishing style in mind. Ideally, it would help to have a rod with substantial stopping power and a reasonably soft tip to allow load up when casting and hooking up.

A 7-foot, 6-inch to 8-foot rod with a “Heavy” or “Extra Heavy” rating usually does the trick. As for your reel, there are so many options available today. The three primary descriptors would be: (1) the ability to cast far, (2) stopping power (meaning high drag capability), and (3) high speed retrieve (meaning the ability to crank your lure fast!). Many anglers tuned into this fishery rely on reels with taller spools to increase their retrieval rate and add an oversize handle.

The addition of oversized saltwater baitcasting-style reels has also been a great bonus to this fishery. The reels are fished using 50- to 60-pound braid, connected to a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader.

Should Anglers Use Wire for Wahoo?

To use wire or not to use wire? That is a common question. Wahoo can sometimes be finicky. Presenting your lure without wire can significantly increase the number of hook-ups. At the same time, be ready to lose several jigs to those razor-sharp teeth. Single-strand wire is preferred if you intend to use wire, as it’s much stealthier than multi-strand wire. The recommendation is a simple haywire twist connection on single-strand, 60- to 90-pound wire.

Tips for Casting to Wahoo

• Biting near the boat. When pulling your lure out of the water, have it come to a complete stop, then lift. More than once, I have seen lures get bit as an angler pulls a jig out of the water during their last retrieve, surprising the angler and resulting in a rod and reel overboard.
• Wear close-toed shoes. Please wear boots or shoes when fishing for wahoo. Nothing is scarier than a wahoo flopping on deck with bare feet in proximity.
• Watch out for flying objects. Keep your eyes peeled for flying wahoo. Another crazy scenario I’ve seen several times on a wahoo bite. Wahoo will often fly out of the water in pursuit of their prey just inches from the boat.
• Try casting for wahoo anywhere you fish. While the method of casting to wahoo on a troll stop is a West Coast method, make sure to experiment with this in your wahoo fishery as it’s sure to put some on the deck. There’s no reason jigs and wahoo bombs wouldn’t work in other wahoo hotspots such as Bermuda, Bahamas or even far offshore Louisiana.

The post Explained: How to Catch Wahoo Casting Lures appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Probably few things annoy an angler more than perfectly delivering a cast to a spot you know holds fish only to have the hook on your soft-plastic lure immediately snag some sea grass, a stick, an oyster bar or rocky bottom.

“If you throw a lure out in front of a fish and it gets hung up, you either have to rip it out of the grass and it runs right by the fish, or it’s hung up and a big, ol’ wad of grass spooks the fish,” says professional redfish tournament ­fisherman Mark Cowart, of Panama City Beach, Florida.

To avoid that, top anglers and guides rig their soft-plastic baits on hooks and jig heads to run weedless. The key is to essentially hide the hook point, a goal they achieve using a variety of hooks and other terminal tackle.

Hide The Hook in the Soft Plastic

Capt. Gary Dubiel of Oriental, North Carolina, is a Rapala pro staffer who fishes Storm’s 360GT Coastal soft plastics. The 360GTs feature slots in the belly and back so the hook point remains hidden, not protruding from the bait. The lures come pre-rigged with either a VMC Coastal Black jig head or a VMC Coastal Black Hook with Keel Weight.

Instead of fishing them on a jig head, where the hook would be exposed, Dubiel prefers the weighted hook, which he says is “fairly lightweight and designed primarily for fishing shallow grass flats in Florida. If you want to get deeper, you need to use a little bit heftier weight.” In that case, Dubiel rigs the lures on a VMC Heavy Duty Weighted Swimbait hook. The wide-gap hook features a locking spring that screws into the head of the bait and a weight on the shank. He uses 3/0 and 4/0 hooks, going bigger for thicker baits.

“I put the hook point into the body of the bait, and when it comes out, it actually sits in the groove on top,” explains Dubiel, who targets speckled trout, redfish and striped bass. “It’s outside the plastic, but the point is protected. It’s pretty smooth going through the grass. And the keel weight has a tendency to keep the lure a little cleaner, whether you’re fishing grass, wood or oyster shells.”

Capt. Ed Zyak of D.O.A. Lures in Stuart, Florida, says the company works with Eagle Claw to design hooks customized for its baits. D.O.A.’s PT-7 topwater lure comes with a 7/0 extra-wide-gap spring-screw TroKar hook with a needle point instead of the standard triangular point.

“The triangular point cut through the PT-7 easier than the needle point, which doesn’t rip out of the bait as easily and still has an extremely sharp point, plus we needed a bigger gap for the PT-7 for better hookups,” says Zyak, who also fishes the hook with a 5.5-inch jerk bait, 4-inch shad, and 5-inch swimbait for snook, redfish, and trout. “What makes it good is it’s a very strong, very stout hook. And because the wide gap drops down so far, it acts like a keel, which makes the baits swim true.”

Zyak skin-hooks the lures, going through the top of the bait with the hook point, then barely sticking the point back into the lure. He does the same with the 3/0 Needlepoint Screw Hook that Eagle Claw makes for D.O.A.’s 3-inch C.A.L. Shad and 4-inch C.A.L. jerkbait. He adds that a benefit of the spring screw, besides easy rigging, is it allows for multiple bites. “Many times fish come up and whack the bait, pull it down, and now the bait’s compromised, so you’re not going to get that follow-up bite because the bait’s in a ball. With the screw, they whack it and whack it and whack it.”

Rig Saltwater Soft Plastics Like Bass Fishermen

Capt. Mike Mann of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a member of the Rapala and Z-Man pro staffs, pairs VMC’s freshwater bass hooks with Z-Man’s swimbaits for redfish and trout in central Florida’s Mosquito Lagoon during summer. Because of Z-Man’s stretchy, nearly indestructible 10X Tough ElaZtech soft plastic, Mann employs an old Texas-rig trick from his largemouth bass fishing days.

“I use an eighth-ounce worm weight and put a toothpick in the top hole, breaking it off to pin the weight to the top of the lure. Screw-in worm weights don’t work well with Z-Man baits because they don’t stay in the ElaZtech,” says Mann, who fishes with an exposed jig hook during winter. Summertime is when he gets away from jig heads. That’s where a small bullet weight keeps the hook weedless.

“I use a wide-gap 4/0 hook with Z-Man JerkbaitZ and PaddlerZ and a 3/0 with PogeyZ and small (3-inch) paddletails.” Mann says. He Texas-rigs the lures. “I’ll bring the hook point up through the slit in the lure’s back and then just catch the tip of the hook point back in the lure. When a fish hits, it’ll pop right out and you’ll get a better hookup, but it still allows the lure to come through the grass without getting snagged.”

Zyak Texas-rigs lures with Eagle Claw’s specially made Long Neck Hook when grass is thick on the surface. He inserts the hook eye into the bait to reduce the chances of snagging grass, and secures a small bullet weight atop the nose of the lure with a rubber bobber stopper. Zyak also uses the hook to weedlessly rig a ¼-ounce 3-inch D.O.A. Shrimp backward, cutting off the tail flipper, leaving the weight, and adding a glass rattle into the bait’s head.

When he’s fishing around structure, Aaron Wavra, an associate manager at Pure Fishing, Texas rigs Gulp! Shrimp and Mantis Shrimp on a Berkley Fusion19 EWG (extra wide gap) Hook with an unsecured bullet weight because “you get a little more movement when you jig the rod and impart action to the bait. The weight slides up the line and allows the shrimp to do its own thing. It has an erratic action.”

For a truly different weedless option, Wavra suggests drop-shotting a baitfish imitation. Using a technique popular with bass anglers when the bite is tough, a Fusion19 Drop Shot or EWG Hook is attached to the line with a Palomar knot a foot or so above a weight. “Instead of nose-hooking the bait, come in between the gill plates” Wavra says, so the hook point is just inside the nose. “I’ve used it in Islamorada [Florida], in sand holes where you’d typically throw a shrimp on a jig head. You can really control the presentation and keep the bait vertical. The nice thing is you always have a tight line and can feel every bite. It’s ­excellent for finicky fish.”

If he’s fishing in grass, Wavra rigs Gulp! Shrimp, as well as the Gulp! Pogy, Nemesis and Ripple Mullet, on Fusion19 keel-weighted or unweighted swimbait hooks, which have a spiral bait keeper attached to the eye. “The thing I like about it is it keeps the shrimp vertically oriented.”

Likewise, Mann pairs the Z-Man EZ ShrimpZ with a VMC Heavy Duty Weighted Swimbait hook because it allows the shrimp to hover vertically in the water and float down when he lifts the rod tip. He coats the shrimp lures with Pro-Cure Super Gel fish ­attractant, his favorite scents being shrimp and bloody tuna.

Rig Jig Heads With Soft Plastics

Cowart is a Z-Man pro staffer who partners with his son, Capt. Michael Cowart, in three different redfish ­tournament series. They used to Texas-rig their Z-Man baits on Mustad Grip Pin weighted hooks. Thanks to field testing and recommendations Cowart and his son made in conjunction with Eye Strike Fishing, Z-Man now offers the Weedless Eye jig head. It features a streamlined head that has a bait keeper plus a wire weed guard that goes through the hook eye, which is bent at a 45-degree angle, to the hook point. The weed guard prevents the exposed hook from snagging. “It’s 99.9 percent weedless,” Cowart says. “You can throw it with any Z-Man bait. Not just any jig head will work with a Z-Man. You need a keeper for the ElaZtech.”

Read Next: Secrets of Fishing Soft Plastics

Cowart also uses the Z-Man Texas Eye jig head. The freely swinging Weedless Eye head is attached by a ring to the eye of a Mustad hook. He Texas-rigs the jig head, going through the bait with the hook, then skin-hooking the hook point back into the lure.

“Any paddletail bait swims like freaking crazy on it,” says Cowart. “When you’re fishing a Z-Man and the jig head is resting on the bottom, the bait will float straight up. It makes one fantastic dead-sticking bait. Redfish can become very finicky. They don’t want a lot of flash or movement. A retrieve with the Texas Eye could last two minutes.”

Use a Lightweight Hook or Jig Head

Cowart says that for 90 percent of their tournament fishing, they tie on a jig head with a 3/0 hook. They use as light a jig head as possible because too heavy a head dampens the action of the bait.

His Weedless Eye weights are usually 3⁄16- and ⅛-ounce. He uses a ­3⁄16-ounce Texas Eye half the time, going to ¼-ounce when fishing in 5 feet or more of water.

Dubiel’s VMC weighted hooks range from 1⁄16- to ¼-ounce. The heavier hook is used for deeper water when Dubiel has to get a 360GT down to structure. Whichever hook he uses, it’s perfectly rigged so only fish get the point.

The post Hooks for Weedless Rigging Soft Plastics appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

First, apologies for insulting you by citing the terribly cliched “elephants eat peanuts” maxim. But when it comes to fishing tiny lures, there’s really no getting around it. That catch-phrase is and has long been a ubiquitous part of fishermen’s jargon for a reason. It’s true. So often a fish larger than the angler ever imagined ends up hooked on a very small lure.

But then there is some logic to such experiences. We, as people, can say no thanks to something like liverwurst, but fish more often can’t afford to pass up anything edible they find, whether it’s a mouthful or a speck. So, yeah, “specks” do attract the attention of predators. And tiny lures put your offering on the menu of a great range of eaters from mini to mighty, increasing the odds for action.

Micro Fishing is Not Micro-Lure Fishing

Before we get too far along, I should stress that we’re talking about the growing specialized technique of micro-lure fishing and not a different approach, that of micro fishing. Micro fishing is a specific attempt to catch tiny fish, often less than the length of a finger — on hook and line, with line being 2-pound test or less, essentially no larger than sewing thread. The hooks used are called “hair hooks,” so named because they’re about as thick in diameter as a human hair.

Micro fishing is something my friend Steve Wozniak (no, not the one from Apple) of California practices regularly, with great success, as he approaches catching an astounding 2,000 fish species on hook and line, per his 1000-fish blog. Not that all of Wozniak’s catches are tiny; many are “macro” — of trophy size. But when he pursues fish the size of a cockroach, he’s micro fishing.

Small Lures Catch Large Fish

When anglers engage in micro-lure fishing, they’re ready for anything from fish as long as their hand to fish as long as their arm. While there’s no accepted standard that quantifies a lure as micro in size, think two inches, give or take. This may include Lilliputian crankbaits — actually far smaller than Jonathan Swift’s tiny folks from Lilliput. Crankbaits can be less than 1½ inches and weigh under 1/8 of an ounce. Most often, micro-lure anglers pair soft plastic tails, only a bit larger than your average mealworm, to thin-diameter hooks on jig heads that weigh 1/8 of an ounce or less.

Part and parcel of micro-lure fishing is ultra-light rods and reels. To go heavier would be more exasperating than fun. Think of trying to cast a Wooly Bugger trout fly on a baitcaster. But with scaled-down ultra-light spinners, spooled with 4- to 6-pound braided line, and thin, noodle-like rods, suddenly reasonably long casts aren’t out of reach.

Such super-light rods and reel also make micro-lure fishing feasible because they’re simply too light to apply great pressure — the sort of pressure that could easily bend out little micro hooks. Finesse is the key to all aspects of micro-lure fishing. Hook a (relatively) big one, and you’ll realize that you need all your skills as an angler to land that fish.

A Micro-Lure Fishing Day to Remember

A recent morning fishing the St. Johns River in a shallow stretch northeast of Orlando, Florida, served as a good reminder to me just how rewarding micro-lure fishing can be. Variously casting and trolling 1/10-ounce mushroom jigheads, armed with 1 ½-inch soft baits, my first fish was a stunningly brilliant red-breasted sunfish. I would catch two more that morning. I was trolling up-current when my little rod arced under the sudden strain of what proved to be a lively American shad, the first of three I hooked on my tiny lures. After that I landed several crappie (including a sizable one for the river) and Mayan cichlids.

But the least expected catch on the teeny-tiny jig, and most impressive, came as I trolled mid-river when something far bigger than expected began heading downriver with me in tow. After a number of long, hard runs, I finally managed to get the fish by the kayak long enough to get my lip gripper on the lower jaw of a catfish weighing more than eight pounds. At times, I had felt pretty outgunned, attached to the fish with only 6-pound line and that tiny jig hook, but landing it made my day.

Tips from Micro-Lure Fishing Experts

I asked two veteran micro-lure-fishing pros for their insight on this very specialized form of fishing. Paul Macinnis, an enthusiast fishing journalist, when not tied up in his day job as a Lockheed engineer, says he started fishing micro crankbaits in his youth, with Rapala Original Floating Minnows as small as 1.5 inches. “I’ve caught thousands of fish on that Original minnow and still use it. But Macinnis also favors the deeper-diving 1.5-inch Rapala Ultra Light Shad and the 1.5-inch Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap, a lipless rattler. “I catch a surprising number of monster bluegills on those two crankbaits,” he says.

For micro-lure expert Jose Chavez, a Florida resident of Tampa, his choice of micro lure is a tiny jighead with plastic tail, also in the 1.5-inch range. He fishes these, well — wherever he fishes, from home waters to as far away as Australia, where the micro jig-and-tails gave the kayak enthusiast an edge at times during a Hobie fishing tournament.

As for reels, both use 1000-size reels for much of their micro-lure fishing, though Chavez says he’ll go up to a 1500 size at times; Macinnis, on the other hand, will fish as light as a 500 size. He favors a 6-foot ultra-light rod (rated 2- to 6-pound); Chavez prefers slightly longer rods with light or medium-light power. That means rods with a decidedly soft action appropriate to very light lures and lines. Chavez goes with 10-pound braid, while Macinnis seldom exceeds six. Both prefer light leader — 10-pound test or lighter. Macinnis will tie his main line to 20-pound leader if tarpon, snook or large ladyfish are on hand.

“The Z-Man Shad Fry is  my go-to lure,” says Chavez. “I use this 90 percent of the time,” he says of the 1.75-inch tail. Disclaimer here: Chavez is Z-Man’s Director of Product Development. That said, I am a fan of Z-Man’s squishy and super-tough ElaZtech soft lures, and have had success with the company’s entire Micro Finesse line of tiny soft baits (five designs), fished on their miniscule Micro Finesse Shroomz mushroom jig heads.

Macinnis also lists these as among his current faves, particularly the Tiny TicklerZ, StingerZ and Shad FryZ, but also Nikko’s medium Okiami Shrimp, 1.5-inch Caddisfly, and 1.9-inch Pin Straight worms.

Micro jigs and tails have a cost advantage. That is, they’re cheap, especially compared to larger such baits and other lures. So you can fill a box with a variety of little jig heads and soft tails without any great investment.

Tiny crankbaits aren’t quite as inexpensive, but their size still offers a cost saving. Most lure manufacturers do offer various versions of their popular crankbaits in 1.5- to 2.5-inch sizes. I’ve had some notable success with little divers such as Rapala’s Ultra-Light Crank and the Savage Gear 3D Goby Crank Bait, which sadly seems to be discontinued.

I tend to favor tiny deep divers like these in many situations, since their diminutive size limits how far they can dive but the large lip (relative to the lure) give the lure plenty of frenetic action in a hard jerk/pause retrieve. Macinnis says he’s also a fan of trolling tiny crankbaits when moving from spot to spot.

When to Fish With Micro Lures

For me, fishing micro lures offers two of the things I crave most when I go fishing: variety and action. Just about everything eats the flashy little lures, which means in many situations, it’s hard to predict what will end up on your lure next. And since just about everything will snap at a micro lure, figure on fast fishing oftentimes.

Chavez echoes the variety appeal. And he’s quick to break out his box of micros “when small forage is abundant in a waterway,” where “predators can become focused on small forage to the point they may ignore anything larger.” For Macinnis, micros are great “when I just want to catch a mess of fish, and not spend a lot of time, effort or money doing it.”

“Just about every body of water is home to minnows, insects, tiny shrimp and other small prey — and an array of fish that feed on them That means micro lures work just about anywhere,” says Macinnis. He has a great time fishing Florida retention ponds, creeks and roadside canals with micro lures for bluegill, sunfish, crappie, cichlids, bass, catfish and more. “Besides all those panfish, you may catch baby versions of much larger game fish, and sometimes weird little fish you never thought would be there.”

Fishing brackish water, as Macinnis often does, offers even more variety. And he mentions in particular how effective micro lures have proven for him many times when targeting baby tarpon, which are a real kick on light tackle. “They’re so tuned in to mosquitofish and little killifish, they’ll pounce all over micro lures while ignoring larger baits.” (Though bigger tarpon will also inhale mini baits: Macinnis recalls casting teeny jigs in a coastal pond and catching bluegill and shellcracker. “I had no idea tarpon were in that pond until a 15-pounder ate my micro jig. The hook grabbed in a perfect spot, and I eventually landed it.”)

In serious bass-fishing circles, micro baits have found fans. In clear waters or where fish populations are heavily pressured, bass — and not just little ones — that ignore big worms or lures often pick up micro lures without a second thought.  Even coastally, in various fisheries, micro lures may prove valuable — for example at times for flounder.

The Challenges of Micro Fishing Lures

Fishing with such tiny offerings does present certain challenges. Both Macinnis and Chavez cite the casting distance of micro lures weighing as a limitation. Tossing lures weighing a fraction of an ounce can be tough, especially when it’s not with the wind. But very lightweight gear helps greatly. Chavez advises anglers not to bother fishing micro lures if they don’t have such light rods and reels. He likens trying to cast micros on heavier gear to “using a golf club to move a bowling ball.”

Tying braid to leader can be a challenge in general, but particularly with a very thin mainline to a wispy mono or fluoro leader. Macinnis extols the FG knot for this, and I’ve been able to tie some solid bobbin knots on super-light braid and leader, but when on the water, I still find it’s hard to beat tying a Bimini in the main line then tying that to the leader via an improved Bristol knot.

 Tiny mushroom jigs have very small, thin hooks. The good news is that such hooks tend to bite into flesh without great pressure. The bad news is the danger of thin-wire hooks bending out. That’s where the super-light line and gear come in, along with an angler’s finesse skills, to avoid applying excessive pressure. Odds are if the very light line or leader don’t snap, the hook won’t bend out. But there’s no denying that an angler’s chances of landing bigger fish require a dose of luck as well. But that challenge is part of the micro-lure fun, says Macinnis.

Micro-Lure Fishing Tips

• You may find that it doesn’t take long before tiny soft tails keep sliding down the tiny hook. The fix, advises Macinnis: A dab of gel Super Glue to hold plastic tight to jig head.
• While he generally fishes one micro jig at a time, Macinnis says in open water where casting distance may be more important, he’ll switch to a tandem rig. Two jigs cast better than one, plus of course that does put a second lure in the water. It can also be a good way to test for color preference.
• Like Macinnis, Chavez cites juvie tarpon as a poster fish for the use of micro jigs. They’re often feeding on fry bait and glass minnows and, at such times Chavez is glad he has the gear and baits to offer up micros, because, “They won’t touch anything bigger. In this situation, which I often run into in my home waters, a micro-finesse plastic bait can change a morning of frustration into one of great fun!”

The post Micro Lures Catch Fish Big and Small appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Lipped plugs provide swimming, diving action, swimming deeper the faster they are retrieved, imitating a range of baitfish. Surface plugs lure predators keyed on shallow swimming or surface-feeding baitfish.  Crankbaits swim through the middle part of the water column with an erratic or steady action: that’s up to you. Lead-head jigs with a plastic tail, perhaps one of the most versatile lures, prowl the bottom when fished slowly; with a steadier, faster retrieve they’ll swim mid-level, imitating either shrimp or baitfish. And the venerable white bucktail jig adapts to bottom crawling, hopping off the bottom, or swimming and darting like a baitfish.

With these five types of inshore fishing lures you’ll be able to approach a day on the water with confidence.

Lipped Plug

In a survival-of-the-fittest world, a lipped plug, whether trolled or cast, presents as unfit to succeed, and predators are notorious for a lack of empathy.

Walk-the-Dogger

Fished with a leisurely, erratic walk-the-dog cadence, the surface dance excites fish and incites strikes.

Crankbait

Anywhere big fish eat little fish, the shimmy and shake of this subsurface lure bouncing over obstructions trips the feeding trigger in predators.

Jig and Tail

Any of an endless array of configurations pinned on a leadhead jig, from a plastic grub to a Berkley Gulp! soft bait—rigged weedless or not—just looks like fish food.

White Bucktail Jig

If you were limited to just one lure for the rest of your fishing life, the white bucktail jig would certainly keep you in the game.

The post Best Lures for Inshore Fishing appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Yeti Roadie 24

Yeti says it’s responding to fan comments and suggestions with the release of the new Roadie 24 hard cooler. The new model weighs 10 percent less (and yes, we’ve inspected the new model and can verify that); it holds 20 percent more, and the company says it performs 30 percent better thermally. The new cooler presents a more vertical profile (it’s 17 ½ inches high by 16 ½ inches long and 14 ½ inches wide) than the previous Roadie. It can accommodate a standard bottle of wine and fits better behind the driver or passenger seat of a vehicle. New Quicklatches are quite honestly simple and easy to operate. A new flexible woven handle has also replaced the original metal bar. The Roadie 24 comes in four colors and costs $199.99.

Penn Clash II

Penn has introduced the second-generation Clash II inshore reel, which features Penn’s CNC gear technology and HT-100 carbon-fiber drag system. The reel’s clutch armor system and hydrophobic line roller bearing ensure strength and protection to critical components. The Leveline slow oscillation system promotes precise line lay cast after cast. Available in 1000 to 5000 sizes with high-speed models in the 3000 and 4000 class, Clash II features a full metal body and sideplate. Max drag ranges from 9 to 20 pounds; prices range from $209.95 to $249.95.

Bluefin USA Face Shield/Neck Gaiter

Bluefin USA’s neck gaiters, made from ultrafine microfiber, can be used as a face and neck shield. The 36 different patterns were designed to be soft and stretchy for a lightweight feel. The gaiters offer UPF 30+ sun protection; they’re moisture wicking and quick drying. When used as a face mask, they can help limit respiratory droplets. They measure 19-by-9 ½ inches and cost $18.

Standard Horizon GX2400B Matrix

Standard Horizon’s new GX2400 Matrix fixed-mount VHF radios replace the company’s earlier GX2200 series. Features of the new units include NMEA 2000 and 0183 compatibility, second-station wired RAM4 or wireless RAM4W capability, and an upgraded display with a brighter backlight. The 25-Watt GX2400 comes with a built-in 66-channel GPS receiver and AIS/AIS SART target display and more. Available in black, the unit costs $449.99.

XtraTuf Slip-On

XtraTuf has released its Slip-On deck shoes in a women’s version. The shoes feature the same slip-resistant Chevron outsole as the company’s Legacy Boots. They are 100 percent waterproof with a rubber and neoprene upper and come with an XpressCool lining for breathability. The shoes weigh just under 2 pounds, come in sizes 5 to 11 in seafoam green, and cost $85.

Shimano SP-ORCA FB 150S

Shimano’s new sinking pencil baits introduce Flash Boost technology to the company’s saltwater lure lineup. Flash Boost reflective foil suspended on springs inside the lure emit a fish-attracting shine. The lures come in six colors (injured sardine pictured above) primarily to target tuna and other pelagic species. They measure 5 7/8 inches long and weigh 2 ½ ounces and wobble side to side as they sink. The SP-ORCA FB 150S comes equipped with Shimano’s propulsion weight-transfer system for longer casts and through-sire construction. The baits cost $22.99.

Columbia PFG Low Drag

Columbia’s PFG Low Drag boat shoes, available in men’s (pictured) and women’s versions, are made with a water-and-stain-resistant, quick-drying mesh and leather upper and a siped Omni-Grip rubber sole. Lightweight cushioning in the Techlite EVA midsole enhances impact absorption. Men’s lace-up Low Drags come in sizes 7 to 17 and in three color combinations (dove/blue chill pictured). The women’s version comes in sizes 5 to 12 and in three different color combinations. They cost $85.

Humminbird Solix G2

Humminbird’s new Solix G2 multifunction displays combine technologies such as Mega Side Imaging+, Mega Down Imaging+, dual-spectrum chirp sonar, AutoChart Live and Cross Touch control for anglers with all levels of experience. Mega Imaging+ extends Humminbird’s imaging capabilities down 200 feet for and 200 feet to each side. The high-frequency megahertz range provides the clearest, sharpest imaging returns available.The G2 units also come equipped with Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, which allows anglers to choose between wide mode, showing bigger and better fish arches, and narrow mode, maximizing detail and target separation. Available with 12- or 15-inch displays, the units cost $3,099.99 and $3,699.99 respectively.

Huk Rogue Wave

Huk has introduced two new color options for its 4-inch Rogue Wave boots. Hannibal camo (pictured), created by K.C. Scott, came from that artist’s fishing experience on Panama’s Hannibal Bank. Rogue Waves also now come in white. The boots feature a waterproof rubber and neoprene upper, Grip X outsole traction pattern, and an 8mm molded EVA footbed. They weigh 38 ounces per pair, come in men’s sizes 8 to 13 and cost $85.

Read Next: New Products

Gamakatsu Superline Swimbait Heads

Gamakatsu’s Superline Swimbait Heads are built on a high-carbon NSB-coated hook with a 60-degree bend that keeps baits running true regardless of presentation. The angled shank also sheds weeds. The leadheads come with a stainless-steel spring that secures the swimbait and are available in weights from 1/8 to ½ ounces on 4/0- or 5/0-size hooks. Choose painted or unpainted heads for $5.99 to 6.99, depending on size.

The post New Fishing Gear for May 2020 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

MagBay Lures designed the new MagTrak 10 high-speed wahoo lure to swim straight and below the surface at speeds of up to 20 knots, no trolling weight required. The lure incorporates 10/0 stainless-steel hooks and HookMag Technology, which keeps the front hook in the stinger position at any speed until the strike. The 10-inch lure features through-wire ­construction and welded rings on 500-pound ball-bearing swivels. It weighs 13 ounces, comes in six colors and costs $89.95.

The post MagBay MagTrack 10 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Berkley’s Crazy Legs Jerk Shad is one of five new shapes and sizes in the Gulp! saltwater collection. The soft bait swims with an erratic darting motion, imitating a struggling bait fish. The two long curly legs kick and move on the drop and retrieve. The Crazy Legs Jerk Shad measures 5 inches long and comes in seven colors. Berkley recommends rigging the bait on a weighted EWG swimbait hook or jig head. Available in bags of five, the shads cost $6.99.

The post Berkley Crazy Legs Jerk Shad appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Designed by legendary lure-maker Patrick Sebile, this floating jerkbait, introduced in August of 2019, is shaped to glide with a side-to-side motion while producing a tight vibrating wobble. The manufacturer says it has kept the internal rattle subtle to attract fish without spooking them. Through-wire construction ensures the body’s integrity even under considerable pressure. It runs 3 ½ inches and is available in 10 color patterns. MSRP: $11.

The Long Shot relies on a wide wobble when worked in a jerk-and-pause retrieve. The lure runs 5 to 7 inches; the 5-inch model is particularly versatile, the manufacturer says. It’s available in 10 color patterns. MSRP: $7.99.

This suspending twitchbait, in the lineup since 2006, offers a profile that mimics one of the most important Southeast baitfish, the pilchard (scaled sardine). The manufacturer says that when twitched on retrieve, the lure comes alive with the flash and darting action of a baitfish. The 2 5/8-inch lure is available in 16 color patterns. MSRP: $8.49.

A stalwart in the Rapala lineup since 2004, the X-Rap remains one of the manufacturer’s most popular designs, attributed to its versatility for so many species of fish in many situations. A hard “slashbait” retrieve style produces a tight wobble. A weight-transfer system facilitates long casts. The Saltwater X-Rap is available in lengths from 4 1/8 to 5 1/2 inches and comes in 12 colors. MSRP for the 4-inch model is $11.29.

This subsurface jerk bait is fined-tuned to accommodate its 4X-strong hooks which, unlike many inshore lures, don’t require swapping out. And a through-wire system prevents hooks from being pulled out. Large internal rattles create the high-pitched sonic sounds of nervous baitfish. The 3.5-inch Twitch Reaper, new on the scene, is offered in six colors. MSRP: $9.99.

Sebile’s Stick Shadd, introduced in 2008, is a stickbait that lends itself to a hard jerk/pause retrieve. It comes in floating, suspending and sinking/fast-sinking models. Depending upon the model, the Stick Shadd may be available in lengths from 2 3/8 inch to 8 ¼ inch. The manufacturer says its patented Power Keel is particularly responsible for its dynamic action. More than 20 color patterns are available in total but fewer for each model/size. MSRP for the 4 ½-inch model ranges from $7.49 to $10.40 depending on action.

Shimano’s premier jerk baits are designed for larger, more aggressive inshore game fish. The ColtSniper uses a proprietary Weight Transfer System for long casts. A jerk-and-long-pause retrieve produces a sliding action. The floating lure comes in a 5.5-inch and a 6.6-inch version available in eight color patterns. The 5.5-inch version retails for $12.99.

This suspending jerkbait, popular with bass anglers, also works well in the salt, particularly trout and reds hang in a bit deeper water or back up in creeks during the winter. The 4.3-inch (110-millimeter) lure runs 3 to 5 feet upon retrieve. The 30 available colors offer plenty of choice. MSRP: $13.99.

The post Nine Top Jerkbait Lures for Inshore Fishing appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

One thing that all successful anglers have in common: They tie good knots. Many learned the hard way—by losing a big fish or watching the tournament winner swim away—that certain knots don’t hold up under pressure, and not all knots work for every situation.

Some knots might be stronger than others; some might be easier and quicker to tie. Knots that fasten a leader to a lure must also allow the bait to swim properly and facilitate an efficient hook-set.

Some inshore captains swear by loop knots, which let the lure swing and move unencumbered. But in the o­ffshore world, where big fish slash and tumble bigger plugs, anglers might need a different connection.

To sample a few of the options, I asked two captains—one inshore guide in Florida, one offshore captain in North Carolina—to describe their go-to knots for tying on lures.

A Great Inshore Loop Knot: the Double Figure 8

Capt. David Cohen of Cooper City, Florida, fishes year-round for tarpon and snook in Miami’s north Biscayne Bay. When throwing swimbaits for those species, the Salt Life pro staffer likes a loop knot because it makes the lures swim more naturally.

“Any bait that needs movement, I want a loop knot,” Cohen says. “I want to make sure the bait has exaggerated motion, has good action and side-to-side motion to get the best out of the lure. The double figure 8 loop knot is my go-to knot for a loop knot. I’ve tied a lot of loop knots in my day, and the double figure 8 has been tried and tested on big fish over 150 pounds, so I know it works.”

The connection features two ­figure-8 knots that jam against each other. Cohen says it’s similar to a double uni-knot, which is used to tie one line to another. His theory is that having two knots results in added strength.

“Tarpon, when they get over 150 pounds, can take more than an hour to land, so the knot has to not slip and has to stay true,” he says.

Cohen adjusts the strength of his leader to the size of fish he targets. For tarpon of 20 to 50 pounds, he uses 40- or 50-pound fluorocarbon leaders 3 to 6 feet in length, with a main line of 30-pound braid.

If he’s fishing for 100-plus-pound ­tarpon, Cohen upgrades his line and leader to land the fish without excessively tiring the tarpon. That means 40- to 60-pound braided line and 60- to 80-pound fluorocarbon leader.

The double figure 8 works especially well, he says, with a DOA Baitbuster—a soft-plastic lure that imitates baitfish such as a mullet, pilchard or sardine.

A Great Offshore Lure Knot: the Nail Knot

Offshore: Nail Knot Used primarily to attach a leader to a fly line, the nail knot also works great for tying leaders to plugs used for tuna, says Capt. Daniel “Backlash” Davis, of Manteo, North Carolina.

“I like the nail knot because it slides down on the lure ring better,” he says. “I’ve tried other knots—like the perfection loop—but at some point, the hook will tangle in the loop.”

Davis—a longtime charter captain who now runs private boats—uses the nail knot on big offshore poppers made by Rebel, Rapala, and Yo-Zuri that his anglers throw at blackfin, yellowfin, and bluefin tuna up to 100 pounds.

The classic fly line-to-leader nail knot originally used an actual nail, although a short tube can usually substitute these days. The leader is wrapped six times around the line and tube, then inserted through the tube, which is then removed. Pulled tight, the leader is now held securely by its wraps around the line. Instead of a nail or tube, Davis uses his index finger, which makes it quick and easy to tie.

Davis fishes the big tuna poppers on 20-pound Ande Backcountry blue monofilament with 40- or 50-pound Ande pink fluorocarbon leader on a 6½- or 7-foot rod. He also uses the nail knot to tie on jigs for cobia.

Read Next: How to Snell a Hook

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