The pelagic zone
Fishing advice provided by Paul Worsteling, host of IFISH TVOur oceans and seas form the largest habitat on earth, the pelagic zone, which is home to many different species of surface fish.
Many hours can be spent targeting specific oceanic pelagics, which is to say nothing of the opportunistic moments that can present while out on the water.
But some planning and forethought well before you hit the water will maximise your chances of landing that pelagic of a lifetime.
STRIKE THREE AND YOU'RE ON
While trolling for pelagics such as wahoo, tuna, mahi mahi or dolphin fish, Spanish mackerel and the like, don’t stop if you hook up to one fish. Keep trolling for the second, third, fourth bite. This will produce the best results and might be the only group bite you get that day.
LIMIT YOUR SWIVEL STRIKES
Flashy teasers and lure types are designed to attract attention and bites. Don’t make the mistake of using a shiny swivel on your main line when trolling for pelagics. These can attract strikes and result in your main line being bitten through, losing the lot.
Spanish mackerel and wahoo are the main offenders. Black swivels should definitely be your choice here.
FAST-RETRIEVE REELS
Pelagic fish are strong, streamlined, speed machines that chase down their prey. Use high gear ratio reels against fast pelagic fish. A high-speed reel is the ultimate reel for spinning at speed and enticing strikes from pelagics.
Ideally, you want an overhead or spin reel with a retrieve ratio of more than six to one. If fly fishing, tucking the rod under your arm and strip as fast as you physically can, hand over hand, to initiate a strike.
DECK HOSE TRICK
Having your finger on the pulse can change your pelagic fishing in an instant.
If you come across a pod of dolphins or whales, they can be great indicators of pelagic fish like marlin, tuna, cobia, wahoo and mahi mahi.
If cubing for yellowfin tuna and other pelagic species, use the deck hose and spray it over the ocean to simulate a school of showering baitfish. Often fish will come to the back of the boat out of curiosity.
THE DETAILS MATTER
So, remember, be on the ball when fishing for pelagics. The details are what count, like changing lure angles when casting in schools of longtail tuna, so they just don’t continue past. Ignore the above-mentioned points at your peril.
Yours in Fishing,
Paul Worsteling.
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