Hello everybody, just some sweet suggestions on your next trip on the open seas. I’ve noticed here a lot of anglers are so hooked on hard body crankbaits, plugs & jigs. Have you ever tried using plastic swimbaits such as Big Hammer, MC Swimbaits, Mega Bait,Tuna Slider, etc.? I hope they’re available here. In California, most anglers often use swimbaits or iron jigs. If you haven’t use ‘em, you’re in for some thrills & excitements. These plastics actually move and look like a live fresh baits. I often use ‘em wherever I go. On the boat, the guys will still be waiting at the bait tanks while I’ll be the first one catching fish. Of course there some days that the only thing that works is fresh live baits. PITCH AND CATCH Many days, catching fish on swimbaits really does involve nothing more than casting and reeling. And, since this simple technique is so often effective, it should be considered the `go-to means of retrieving swimbaits. The simplicity of this approach also makes a swimbait as close to a `no-brainer bait as one is likely to find in salt water. For this reason alone, swimbaits are ideally suited for children and inexperienced lure fishermen. Of course, even the tried and true `pitch and catch method allows for some variance. Anglers have two basic means for varying this retrieve - the speed they crank the reel and the amount of time they allow the bait to fall before beginning to reel. The primary principal of this technique is that the retrieve is at a constant speed. That speed, however, can vary. In a nutshell, reeling faster will cause the bait to swim higher in the water column, while slowing the rate of retrieve will cause it to swim closer to the bottom. Anglers should begin with a medium speed retrieve and vary from that point until it is determined what speed produces the most strikes. Anglers can also adjust the retrieve by varying the time they allow the bait to fall before beginning the retrieve. In order to be effective, it is handy to know how fast a plug falls. One of the simplest ways to determine this with a new plug is to drop it directly below the boat in a known depth of water. Simply count how long it takes to fall this known distance, then apply that scale to your casts. Although this technique may strike some as `too simple, it is extremely effective. In fact, for some species, this steady retrieve is absolutely the odds-on means to make them strike. I also use plastic swimbaits trolling on the open seas. Rigging the swimbait properly is critical in order to have it track correctly at the 7-9 mph trolling speed required for the rest of your pattern. Start with a 1.5 or 2.5 oz quality jig head, I prefer the plain Hammer Heads because of the ultra-sharp hooks and large eyes. One thing all of our local baitfish have in common is very large eyes. I believe predators key in on the eyes. Pick a 5 or 6 swimbait that you have confidence in and carefully run your jig head through it. In low light conditions I like a darker bait such as Deep Purple (#39). Once the sun comes out my options open up and I switch to a light colored solid bellied bait such as Great White (#102), Pacific Chovy (#7), or Walleye Wacker (#2), or a flashy clear bellied bait such as Mackerel (#72), Baitfish (#13), or Green Sardine (#34). Its good to have a couple of these rigged with 4-5 of 60 lb. leader topped with a high quality barrel swivel. FISHING THE SLIDE: When we have a bunch of trollers assigned at the back boat, I always have a 25 lb. rig ready with a Big Hammer on a 1.5 oz. Hammer Head for the slide. As soon as they shout “HOOK UP”, I’ll be sliding my rig out away from the troller side. Most of the time, I’ll be hooked right away. Oh, what a feeling!!! This will be great panga trip. Don’t be watching him bringing up his trolled fish,,, do your slide technique. You’ll be amazed. Listen up guys, you outta give this one a world. They absolutely work and they are not that expensive. Good luck. Catch you later, Edgar Llamas Ylanan CHECK OUT THIS WEB FOR MORE INFO: swimbait/techniques/basics.htm
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:26:40 +0000
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