Complete Book of Saltwater Fishing by Milt Rosko

Author:Milt Rosko
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781580805216
Publisher: Burford Books

MAKE FIRST CAST COUNT

It’s important to make each cast count. If a fish is feeding in a pocket adjacent to a jetty it will often strike on your first cast. Veteran jetty jockeys will tell you that the first cast to an area often results in a strike, as the fish is actively searching for a meal, and as your lure comes into range it’s onto it in a flash. Working your lure properly means working it right to the very edge of the rocks before lifting it from the water. Newcomers often make the mistake of reeling fast as their lure approaches the rocks, to avoid getting fouled. This is a big mistake, as by far the greatest number of strikes will come in close.

Sometimes the fish are feeding in close, but more often than not a gamefish is attracted to and follows the lure. The fish realizes that the lure appears to be seeking the sanctuary of the rocks and it makes a last-second lunge to prevent it from getting away. Huge stripers, tarpon, and snook often startle you as they crash a lure within a rod’s length of where you’re standing, an exciting experience that really gets the adrenaline moving.

When you’re pursuing smaller fish it’s not too difficult to reel them within range of where you’re standing. With the assistance of a wave, work them within range and simply lift them onto the rockpile. Once a bigger fish is hooked, it’s important to let it move well away from the jetty, where it can’t get the line caught on the rocks and mussels. Let the fish have its head, take drag, and tire itself well out from the rocks. As the fish tires, work it in close and position yourself so that you can get it within range of your gaff; if someone is with you, make sure he’s positioned at a spot to where you can bring the fish. Avoid spots where tumbled rocks or pilings or other debris are in front of you. This limits your control, especially when you may have a big striper or tarpon doing its best to get away.

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