The Yellowtail is to be found in central California and down south into the tropical waters. In fact, this fish have been a staple in the Pacific fishery for a lot of years already.
How To Fish
Just like with most other kinds of fish, you have a variety of ways to choose from in able to fish for yellowtail. A number of lures and baits would be needed such as squids, sardines, mackerels and the most preferred one, anchovy.
Jig Fishing Technique For Yellowtail
Jig fishing for this fish could be very fun and is considered to be very productive by most people. The Yo-Yo jig can be done by using a four to twelve ounce candy-bar type of jig. Once you have the jig, drop it to the bottom, which is usually not any deeper than 200 feet.
When you feel that you already hit the bottom, try to lift your jig off of it for four to five feet. Repeat this several times, then being followed by a very fast retrieve all the way up to the surface.
It is important to remember that it doesn't matter how fast you are cranking, since the yellowtail would always be much faster than you. Once you feel that you're bit, then there's no mistaking it. Once this happens, don't set the hook and just continue reeling. Once you feel that your catch is already swimming away from you, then that's the time that you should set the hook.
Jig fishing enables you to fish using a much heavier line than your bait. A 30 to 50 lb. test usually works pretty well. When yellowtails are feeding on the surface or near it, they would sometimes take surface iron.
Surface irons are jigs weighing 4 ounces or less. They are retrieved with a much slower speed than the other kinds of jigs. Using a live squid is the much preferred bait with this kind of jig. In fact, when yellowtails feed on squid, they have the tendency to ignore all the other baits.
Using A Fishing Squid
Using a fishing squid is quite simple. All you have to do is either tie the hook directly to the line or make use of a sliding sinker which is right on the bait. However, the size of the weight you'll be using is usually dictated by factors and conditions like currents and depth.
Find the pointed end of the squid and place the hook once through it. However, take note that when fishing with squid, even small yellowtails are able to swallow it quickly. That is why you should not let them swim far before you decide to set the hook.
Using Anchovies
If you'll be using anchovy, then you should either hook through its nose or behind its gill, specifically on its bony collar. They are weak swimmers, which is why you would want to make use of smaller line and hooks.
Using Sardines
When you'll be using sardines, you can make use of the same rig. However, this time around, you should put your hook through the sardine's nose or on its bottom, just behind its vent. Your bait would tend to swim deeper, if you hook it on its bottom.
Keep an eye out for telltale signs: When out on the ocean, if you spot seagulls swooping down to pick up small bait-type fish, you know there are bigger game-type fish hunting and driving these fish into tight balls near the surface.
In certain cases, you will even find larger fish swimming near floating wood or debris. Generally, the best place to fish for big game fish is near reefs. This is because these larger fish prey on the fish that live in the reef.
Oftentimes, fishermen try to catch live bait-fish near the reef and head to deeper waters in the hopes catching the big ones. However, this tactic rarely proves successful and it's recommended to fish around the edges of reefs.
Type of Fishing rods and hook: Using lighter fishing rods out in rivers, streams, lakes and even surf fishing is fine, but when you go fishing in the ocean for larger fish like marlin, large sea bass, shark, tuna and stripers, you will need a much stronger rod that can take the weight of the fish, withstand the time it takes to catch one and handle the struggle between fish and fisherman.
This is why it's not surprising to see fisherman opting for graphite fishing rods which are relatively light yet extremely strong and durable for heavy duty fishing. Although graphite is also used to make fishing rods for other types of fishing, deep sea fishing rods made out of graphite are much longer, wider and denser. The only downside to graphite fishing rods is that they are not as flexible, which is why some fishermen also use relatively less durable but strong, light and flexible fiberglass fishing rods for deep sea fishing.
As far as hooks are concerned, circle hooks are best suited for deep sea fishing. Circle hooks translate into more catches since they have a minute gap and a reverse point. Such hooks are also better for the fish because they hook the fish in the lip and not in the gut, causing minimum suffering.
Popular Catches: Snooks are a popular fish among deep sea fishermen and these can be found swimming around rocks, ledges and posts. Another popular type of fish are Stripers and the best time to go fishing for these is at the full moon when they are hunting for crabs who have just shed their shells.
A great way to catch these is to use crab imitations as bait. Yet another popular deep sea fishing fish is the yellow fin tuna. These are often found schooling with dolphins, so if you spot a dolphin group, you may find some tuna swimming in the area as well.
The aforementioned are a few tips that will help enhance your deep sea fishing experience. So go ahead, head into the open seas and strap yourself in for a fun filled roller coaster ride!
Both Jack Safford & Lee Dobbins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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