Whether you are heading out on your first deep sea fishing chartered fishing trip or you have been out a number of times before, you know just how important it is to have all of the right gear. You need a quality pole, a great charter, and of course, you need to know what bait and lures to use for the different types of fish you are hoping to land. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of fish and the baits that we’ve found tend to work well for them.
KINGFISH
Natural baits are more effective than artificial lures when it comes to kingfish. Menhaden shad (also known as pogies) is the bait that has the most luck. Ribbonfish and even squid are other baits you might consider. They love lady fishing and also small sea trout. You may be able to catch kingfish with lures like spoons, but live bait is always the best option.
COBIA
Cobia, another popular fish, is aggressive and will strike both lures and live bait. This fish is very popular because it is delicious and can be quite difficult to catch. With the largest species, the fish can weigh more than 100 pounds. This fish is known for its natural diet, which can be used as bait. These include shrimp, crabs, eels and small fish like squid, Pin fish, mullet and menhaden.
These fish can also be attracted to lures, as mentioned above. A plastic swimming eel is one of the best baits you can use. They can be used in almost any situation you fish for cobia. Other types of lures that can be used to catch cobia include bucktail jigs with lots of color, and artificial versions of the natural bait.
SHARK
Fishing for sharks is a wonderful experience. There are many shark species, so the best bait for each species can vary. To find out more, it is important to do research on the shark species you are interested in and to speak to the fishing charter.
There are some things that you should remember about the bait. Bluefish and mackerel are popular choices. In most cases, live bait is more effective than lures. Sometimes, sharks may be attracted to an area by using a chum-slick.
MAHI-MAHI
The mahi-mahi (or dorado) is a fish that has a distinctive appearance. The Hawaiian word for the fish is mahi-mahi, which means “very strong”. Anyone who has ever caught one of these fish will tell you that it is a beautiful fish. The Williamson ballyhoo combination is a popular lure to catch these fish, but there are many other ballyhoo combinations, both natural and artificial. Crabs and squid can also work well as live bait when used with small fish.
SAILFISH
Because of their iconic appearance, sailfish are a popular target for deep sea fishing. These fish are stunning and can be caught using both lures and natural bait. The fish tend to eat squid, octopus, mackerel, tuna, ballyhoo, flying fish, mullet, and other small fishes. You should also consider the Super Chugger and Wide Range lures made by Mold Craft, Copa Fishing Lures’ Tado, and the Pakula Lumo Sprocket.
TARPON
When fishing for tarpon, you should consider shrimp, crabs, and mullet as bait. Although they prefer to eat live bait, you’ll find that lures can be just as effective. You will need to choose the right lures for your job. You should use lures that are able to mimic fish prey like sardines or menhaden.
WAHOO
This fish can also be fun to catch, aside from its great name. You can achieve great success if you use the right baits to target their area. Although they will respond to many lures, they have a preference for certain colors. Use red and black lures, or purple and dark lure patterns. Live Ballyhoo works well.
These lures and baits are the best to catch the most common types of fish while deep sea fishing. Capt Avery Hughes is well-versed in the best ways to catch fish and where to go to get them. Salty Knots Fishing Charter is aware of all the latest trends in the fishing world and can give you advice on the best bait to use.
Get in touch with salty knots fishing charter to book the fishing trip of a lifetime today!
