Only Carry Necessary Fishing Tackle Jigs, sinkers, hooks, and plastic- prepared saltwater anglers come with plenty of stuff, sometimes too much stuff. Keeping up with current fishing information and by using a tackle management system that targets specific prey, anglers can save on preparation time and valuable fishing time, while still having the right stuff.
Throughout the year, up to date fishing information illustrates the changes in fishing conditions and the movements of fish. The tackle you bring along should be realistic, reflecting your possibilities, and your style of fishing along with some degree of optimism. The new soft packs boast tremendous versatility for such specific systems. For local fishing of any kind, regardless of the species, bring pretty much the same sinkers and hooks as these are based on bait availability and ocean currents and conditions and not the fish count you’re after. Blue and white or chrome and blue are terrific al around jig colors. But as your jig assortment expands and your total arsenal grows, so should your ability to manage it. The key to this system is good information and sorting out the right stuff from the gear you leave at home.
For targeting species, purchase extra boxes to sort and separate tackle based on the species and conditions that you may encounter. Use a specific tackle arrangement when going bass fishing based on conditions and what they’re eating at the time. For example, bass bite the plastic much more frequently than metal jigs. When targeting bass, and they are up high in the water column, load up with a plethora of plastics. Or maybe its leadheads you’ll need, but not for plastics. Perhaps the bass are eating cut squid on a specific style of leadhead. When conditions are right, bass do eat the iron. They chase the surface iron, preferring less shiny finishes and more drab colors, greens, subdued yellows and browns.
Barracuda eat metal, so when they want to come out and play load up accordingly. Sometimes almost any jig will work. Most often, however, they’ll show favoritism, surface action or down deeper- often seeking high contrast colors, bright colors, or shiny chrome finishes. When barracuda are abundant, so should your assortments of jigs in tow. Occasionally they only want live bait. If this is the case, and large sardines are on the menu, then long shank hooks in larger sizes should be in one of the clear boxes you bring along.
This principle applies to all styles of fishing for the species that you may encounter. There are specific preferences for each target, and there are some preferences that are shared by more than one species. There is no substitute for doing your homework. Up to date information and tackle arranged to reflect the possibilities are the keys to expanding your fishing horizons.