Change Tackle to Catch Fish

Lots of times we fish – maybe offshore and maybe inshore – and we get discouraged because we can’t seem to hook up with the fish that are biting. The tackle we are using is either too big or too small. Many anglers suffer through or even move to another spot. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Right Tackle

This past week we were fishing offshore on some close-in reefs. The usual array of fish was coming to the boat, mainly black seabass. The tackle we had was just fine for seabass, and we caught quite a number.

When we relocated to find another school of fish, we began missing the bites. We could not seem to hook up with what felt like very aggressive fish.

A Change in Tactics

Rather than leave that area, we tried downsizing. We broke out some lighter tackle with smaller hooks, and used smaller baits. The change we made worked. We began catching ring-tailed porgies as fast as we could get a bait to the bottom.

These fish are generally smaller than seabass and have very small mouths. That’s why we couldn’t hook them with the bigger tackle.

Bottom Line

Next time you are on some fish that you either can’t seem to hook or that you can hook but can’t get to the boat because they are too big, try changing your tackle. Match the tackle to the fish and see your success ratio increase!