Surf fishing with jerkbaits is way more advanced than the extra conventional Carolina rig fashion. Should you’ve struggled with the transition of fishing with lures within the surf and persistently catching fish, this text is for you. These 8 suggestions have helped me catch fish extra persistently and I’m assured they’ll provide help to.
1. Steadiness The Lure
What many individuals don’t learn about jerkbaits is that the burden system housed inside them serves multiple goal.
Should you’re utilizing a top quality jerkbait just like the Shimano WM 115 or the Fortunate Craft FM 110, the burden system is designed to serve a goal through the retrieve in addition to previous to the solid (and through the solid). The load system is what permits the jerkbait to dive on the specified depth, however it ought to can help you do what’s referred to as “balancing the lure” previous to casting.
Simply earlier than you solid, give your lure a shake or a twitch – nearly as if you happen to have been attempting to shake the seaweed off your treble hooks. This could trigger the weights to roll again within the lure, placing the lure in it’s designed/optimum casting place.
Should you’ve ever observed how generally your jerkbait will flutter and never go very far on some casts, however on others it rockets off in a streamlined method, lots of that has to do with how nicely the weights have been balanced previous to casting. Granted a lot of it additionally comes right down to the method utilized by the angler and the general execution of the method in addition to the general high quality of the lure.
Each of the beforehand talked about lures preserve good tight casting kind more often than not. I belief each manufacturers and use each typically.
2. Match The Rod To The Lure
It’s best to all the time match your rod not solely to your lure, however to your goal species as nicely. I’ve written numerous articles about which gear to make use of for the widespread species of surf fish we now have in So Cal. Clicking the hyperlink to that article will can help you see an summary of the widespread species we now have right here and by clicking every species’ particular person web page, you’ll study how one can goal them and what gear to make use of.
I additionally touched on this in a latest article about selecting one of the best line for surf fishing. And to not proceed throwing hyperlinks in your face, however I imply it once I say I’ve written “numerous articles” about all of the little issues that go into surf fishing. So right here’s the preferred and straight to the purpose article on the greatest gear and sort out to make use of for surf fishing in So Cal.
Backside line although, most surf fishing rods have numerous specs listed close to the deal with. One among these specs will checklist the burden of the lure it’s best to use when utilizing that fishing rod. When unsure, that’s a very good vary to go by.
If I have been utilizing both of the jerkbaits talked about above (Shimano WM 115 or LC 110 FM), I’d use an Okuma SST 8’6″ MHA rod. It’s a moderate-fast motion rod which suggests the rod tip gives a reasonably quick twitch when wanted, and the road and lure weight fall proper consistent with what we’d be throwing.
3. Braid or Mono
On the subject of surf fishing with jerkbaits, I don’t assume your line selection is as important as most individuals make it put to be. I’ll admit at this level, I desire braid, however I’ll nonetheless use mono generally. If we’re speaking swimbaits, braid is a should. However jerkbaits really don’t require as a lot manually added texture inside your retrieve so mono is ok generally.
That stated, if you happen to don’t plan on utilizing this setup for something however jerkbaits, you would possibly as nicely throw some braid on it. I’d go together with both 20 or 30-pound braid relying in your native goal.
Typically talking, braid will present extra “suggestions” and sensitivity than mono. Whereas mono will present extra stretch. The one profit that mono has is that upon hooking a fish, the jerky head shakes and fast turns are softened by the stretch and provides that mono gives. This will typically be the distinction between a pop-off and a landed fish.
For extra on braid vs mono for surf fishing, discuss with the linked article.
4. How To Retrieve a Jerkbait – Regular, Twitch, Pause
Choosing the right retrieve to make use of whereas surf fishing with jerkbaits is a private selection, often made based mostly on an angler’s personal expertise. In my expertise, a gradual and regular retrieve is all you want.
Gradual and Regular
You have to be retrieving quick sufficient to “really feel the wobble” of your lure, however nothing sooner. I see many youtubers reel too quick (in my view), however once more, it’s a private desire.
I like to recommend testing how slowly you may retrieve your lure whereas nonetheless feeling the wobble after which sticking with that velocity for essentially the most half.
Twitch Retrieve
Whereas gradual and regular is my go-to, at occasions it simply feels proper to place just a little little bit of texture in your retrieve. A fast twitch right here and there’s a great way so as to add some selection and in addition take a look at the waters simply in case the gradual and regular isn’t engaging the fish that day.
I do imagine fish may be finicky and select totally different shows at totally different occasions and on totally different days and many others.
Getting Bit on the Pause
getting bit on the pause is legit as nicely. Many occasions, I’ve slowed down my retrieve to a pause, and simply earlier than starting my retrieve once more, “wham!” For no matter motive, paused baits do get hit. You may even mix the twitch and the pause.
On the finish of the day, there’s no proper or mistaken option to retrieve a jerkbait. Should you get bit, that’s good. I’ve simply discovered gradual and regular to work for essentially the most half. However as I stated, some days that simply doesn’t work and I swap it up.
5. Location: Forged Into Hazard
You realize that lure you simply purchased for 20 bucks? Yah, that one. Throw it into these rocks over there the place you see a sliver of sand resting between them. That’s the place you’re going to catch halibut and chunky surfperch.
I don’t make up the principles… I simply uncover them and apply them. That’s what works for me, so I like to recommend it. You may catch massive fish in sandy troughs and gentle construction basically, however you received’t be as efficient as you’ll be if you happen to threw your lure into harmful areas round laborious construction.
If this scares you an excessive amount of, skip right down to tip #8.
6. Attempt Totally different Angles
The prerequisite to attempting totally different angles is studying how one can learn the seashore for surf fishing. After you’ve mastered the artwork of discovering construction along with your eyes and understanding what you’re in search of, you’ll sometimes discover totally different zones and see what seems to be to be “one of the best angle” to fish it from.
Undoubtedly, you’re intestine is probably going proper, so strive it from that angle. You would possibly discover two rocks parallel with the shore line. The pure path to retrieve your lure can be standing straight-on and casting between the 2 rocks and retrieving straight again.
If there are three rocks, you’re eyes will naturally discover the trail that runs you’re lure close to the perimeters of as most of the rocks as doable whereas nonetheless permitting the lure to go via a spot with out operating instantly over a rock. Belief your eyes and fish that path first, however get artistic and check out different angles.
I nonetheless bear in mind the day I caught my PB 31.5″ halibut. I discovered the construction and tried two angles. Neither resulted in a chunk. I attempted another and “wham!” That was it! So keep persistent and keep assured. Belief your eyes and belief your intestine and go get that PB.
7. Use The Greatest Jerkbaits
This goes with out being stated. Should you’re surf fishing with jerkbaits, you would possibly as nicely optimize your time through the use of the greatest jerkbaits for surf fishing.
That hyperlink above will overview the one jerkbaits I belief my time and efforts with. The LC and Shimano WM are simply one of the best on the checklist.
There are a selection of cheaper lures that I’ve used and I’m certain different anglers have tried, however as a rule, they both flutter via the air or flip over too simply within the water. Each are dangerous traits in the event that they happen to incessantly.
8. Know When To Swap To a Swimbait
My final tip is one which I want I knew about earlier. There’s an enormous distinction between jerkbaits and swimbaits. After I say, “throw your lure the place you assume you would possibly lose it”, I imply it. So, there does come a degree when jerkbaits simply aren’t match for the construction you’re fishing.
The extra kelp and reef there may be, you’re extra prone to snag and lose a jerkbait. Utilizing weedless swimbaits for surf fishing then again are a a lot better choice in terms of this sort of construction.
Like many matters inside the realm of surf fishing, I’ve written numerous articles about surf fishing with swimbaits. Try the article linked right here and proven under overlaying the greatest swimbaits for surf fishing.
