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A guide to stickbait success!
The sheer variety of artificial stickbaits now on the market provide
anglers heading inshore and off with endless choices in proven fish
catching lures. Plugs, as they are more commonly known, are now
available in every conceivable size, shape and pattern to suit just
about any species, and any fishing condition. Having some basic
knowledge of each type or style of plug along with knowing how to
properly fish each, will undoubtedly result in greater success!
Saltwater stickbaits actually evolved from the freshwater crankbait market, so it’s extremely important to distinguish the two. The construction of the saltwater version is the most important factor in the lure’s longevity. Freshwater lures simply won’t stand up to the harsh marine conditions and powerful jaws of large aquatic species. Before purchasing any stickbait, carefully examine the packaging to determine if the lure was designed for use in the salt. Look for the word ‘saltwater’ on the package; otherwise look for ‘stainless steel hooks’, ‘stainless steel hardware’, or ‘corrosion resistant’; all are critical for extending the life of any stickbait. The hardware on a saltwater plug needs not only to be corrosion resistant, but also much stronger than its freshwater counterpart. Make sure the split rings attaching the hooks to the body of the lure are heavy enough to withstand the rigors of extended battles with formidable saltwater species.
Plug fishing applies to all saltwater applications, including trolling. Trolling large plugs in rough, choppy water extends the need for a quality manufactured product even further. Imagine a trophy wahoo or king mackerel smashing your deep diving plug, only to have the lure disintegrate due to shoddy manufacturing. That would be a sad lesson to learn in the importance of inspecting and purchasing only top quality saltwater lures. Some of the top names in saltwater stickbaits include Rebel, Bomber, Excalibur and Heddon among many others.
There are different variations of stickbaits, and each was designed for a specific purpose. Anglers should be knowledgeable in each application to achieve the greatest odds of success. A number of basic rules apply to all: body construction, lip design, line used and retrieval rate and technique will determine the depth the bait will swim. As a rule, a faster retrieve with the rod tip low to the water will cause stickbaits to run deeper while the opposite applies with a slow retrieve and rod tip held high. Opting to fish with braided line as opposed to mono will also cause artificial baits to run a bit deeper due to the decreased drag associated with ultra-thin braid.
Jerkbaits are probably the most common type of stickbait. Usually hollow, they have no lip and often feature a concave face. Jerkbaits were specifically designed to be fished directly on the surface and are extremely effective in water as little as only inches deep. Professional anglers competing in redfish tours rely heavily on jerkbaits.
Pay close attention when shopping for plugs. Floating stickbaits are easily confused with jerkbaits, though equally effective, floating stickbaits have a small lip that allows the lure to run just below the surface, rather than on the surface. Floating stickbaits are ideal when fishing flats and shallow water grass beds where the water may be from 2 to 4 feet deep. Floating stickbaits have probably accounted for more gator trout than any other artificial.
Suspending stickbaits do just that: they neither float, nor sink in the water column. Suspending baits rely on the retrieval speed and lip size to determine the depth at which they run. The advantage of neutral buoyancy is twofold. First, the bait can be paused without leaving the strike zone, which often triggers aggressive strikes. Second, suspending baits can be fished over rough terrain without snagging.
Sinking and deep-diving stickbaits are utilized when the targeted species requires you penetrate deeper in the water column. The largest deep-diving plugs are used in offshore trolling applications. While shallow water anglers focus on presenting bait near the surface, offshore enthusiasts prefer their plugs to run deep where they’ll cross paths with the likes of grouper, wahoo and tuna. This is one application where ultra-thin braid really shines, as it allows large lipped plugs to penetrate significantly deeper.
Properly rigging stickbaits is as easy as casting them. When throwing plugs inshore, 3 feet of 30 pound fluorocarbon leader spliced to your main line is all that’s required. Spooling with braided line is helpful for making long casts and solid hook sets, but it’s not a necessity. For overall performance, use a loop knot and tie directly to the plug, as this allows a more natural presentation. Offshore rigging depends on the size of the plug and the target species, but generally a 6 to 8 foot leader of 200 to 300 pound mono is suitable for even the largest heavy duty deep diving trolling plugs.
(See Spring 2004 issue for detailed info on trolling deep diving plugs).
Along with advancements in lure designs, competitive angling has also taken a cutting edge approach. Big dollars, corporate sponsorships and huge media exposure of tournaments has catalyzed the evolution of stickbaits. When competing anglers head out in pursuit of their prey, most already have an established game plan. They’ve recently scouted the water, patterned the fish and have a general idea of what lures they’ll throw to invite the most strikes. Those emerging victorious have undoubtedly found that stickbaits consistently played a pivotal role in the winning outcome of those plans.
Charter fishing guide, outdoor writer, renowned speaker and professional tournament†angler Capt. Woody Gore prefers to begin his days on the water in search of explosive surface strikes. He recommends throwing jerkbaits during low light conditions. Like most successful inshore anglers, Gore points out that any bait that creates noise and commotion directly on the surface is deadly on the flats for gator trout, snook and hungry redfish. Gore prefers the walk-the-dog retrieve with any surface plug that he throws. He recommends the Zara Spook and says it gets ‘em every time! Most of the productive water he fishes is only a foot or two deep, so anything with a lip picks up too much grass.
The walk-the-dog retrieve is a side to side movement imparted on the lure as it’s retrieved directly on the surface. It’s performed by rhythmically twitching the rod while reeling the bait towards you. The action imitates wounded bait and emits plenty of commotion that fish hone in on from great distances. The legendary walk-the-dog action of the Zara Spook is one reason every successful angler has at least one of these lures in his or her tackle bag. This bait is available in a variety of colors that effectively mimic most Florida baitfish. Proven patterns include black/white for redfish & trout and red/white for snook & tarpon. Spooks with a black back and gold sides seem to be extremely productive in tannin-colored water, while mullet imitators are popular in more transparent areas.
Gore brought up an excellent point by mentioning whatever lure you select; make sure it matches the size of the prevalent forage in your particular area.
He also mentioned that around 9 a.m. or so, topwater action dies and suspending baits heat up. Boat traffic and rising temperatures limit the amount of time anglers can effectively fish topwater baits. The resulting wakes of the passing boats stir up sea grass which floats to the surface and makes retrieving ‘clean’ plugs virtually impossible. Unfortunately the treble hooks that are so effective for catching fish are also frustratingly effective at snagging grass.
“As the morning progresses, switch to suspending baits that run below the surface. It’s a reaction strike. Fish instinctively react to the wobbling, wounded baitfish action that subsurface lures emit and often smash the bait as soon as you begin the retrieve” says Gore.
Speaking with gore, I learned that along with Zara Spooks, another one of his go-to-baits is a Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow. The Jumpin’ Minnow is an easy to use surface bait with a perfectly balanced body that allows effortless casting. The Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow features a super loud rattle that attracts attention from great distances while being extremely effective on most inshore species.
Wanting to learn more, I put a call in to Captain Troy Mell, an IGFA certified captain who specializes in backwater fishing throughout the Everglades National Park and the flats of Islamorada. Mell echoes Gore’s sentiments about the Zara Spook, though he recommends the Zara Puppy when specifically targeting redfish. The Puppy is slightly smaller than the Spook and evidently is a little more convincing when reds are chasing more diminutive forage. Mell says that he throws stickbaits probably 25 percent of the time.
“It all depends on the time of day, the prevailing conditions and whether or not there’s a lot of grass. With a stiff breeze, there’s usually a ton of grass on top and it becomes extremely difficult to use a topwater plug.” Like Gore, that’s when Mell switches to suspending baits.
Captain Chris Holleman of Jacksonville, a multiple tournament champion and accomplished outdoor writer, indicated that he too depends heavily on stickbaits. Holleman throws Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogues and Cotton Cordell Red Fins on a daily basis. He says both lures are perfect finger mullet imitators because they swim about 6 inches below the surface — and vibrate just like injured bait.
When Holleman pursues tarpon, he’ll turn to the larger 7 inch Red Fin. He takes the split ring off and ties a loop knot directly to the bait. He finishes things off with a length of Silver Thread shock leader that he connects directly to his braided line. Hollman prefers the bigger Red Fins for tarpon because of their larger silhouette and extra heavy duty hardware.
With the never ending assortment of stickbaits currently available, purchasing the right plugs can be a daunting task. Stickbait designs for saltwater applications continue to improve with every passing season. Manufacturers are using new techniques and cutting-edge materials to develop the most realistic and durable artificial baits ever conceived, and this is a boon for both inshore and offshore anglers. At the very least, well prepared anglers should carry a few stickbaits in each variation. All successful anglers will tell you, regardless of the kind of fish you’re after properly presenting and retrieving each of those lures will make all the difference in the world.
Thank you and good luck on the water.
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