bonita question...
Pensacola Fishing Forum
Forum Home       Members    Calendar    Who's On
Welcome Guest ( Login | Register )
        



bonita question... Expand / Collapse
Author
Message
Posted 1/9/2009 12:13:17 PM


Mingo

MingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingo

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:18:20 PM
Posts: 66, Visits: 308
So this morning I went out to NB at 730am with the intentions of landing my first bonita. I was using my 7 foot ugly stick with a penn 550ssg that had 20lb power pro and a 30lb mono lead. I used gotcha lures and various other lures throwing them into the schools of birds feeding and bonitas running so close to shore you could almost touch em, but not even one hit. So my question is what is the prefered technique and type of lure. Also do you think I should trade out the mono lead for flouro lead? any tips would be great

A wise man once said good things come to those who bait!
Post #251753
Posted 1/9/2009 12:16:43 PM


Sailfish

SailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfish

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 7:29:34 PM
Posts: 1,875, Visits: 5,085
Try not to catch one and that will be all you catch.

    Voting for Obama and then deciding to fight for gun rights makes about as much sense as fighting for your daughter to keep her virginity after dropping her off at a bar.

 

NRA Member http://www.nra.org           

 

 

 

 

Post #251758
Posted 1/9/2009 12:28:38 PM


Mingo

MingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingo

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:18:20 PM
Posts: 66, Visits: 308
Yea its funny how that works huh, but I couldn't resist after seeing them so many times while pomp fishing I finally got some lures and setup a pole to target them and no luck

A wise man once said good things come to those who bait!
Post #251771
Posted 1/9/2009 12:38:45 PM


White Marlin

White MarlinWhite MarlinWhite MarlinWhite MarlinWhite MarlinWhite MarlinWhite MarlinWhite Marlin

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:28:08 PM
Posts: 2,413, Visits: 7,791
Downsize your lure.

Soemtimes they are feeding on very small minnows and a Gotcha migth be to big. They make 2" gotchas I think or you could just throw small all white pomp jigs and should do OK.

www.saltwater-events.com

Bleach is for socks, not for docks, jackass!

Post #251781
Posted 1/9/2009 1:00:00 PM


Sailfish

SailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfish

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 3:24:53 PM
Posts: 1,479, Visits: 4,412
Small white pompano jigs around 1/4 to 1/2 oz. work great on light tackle. Small silver spoons will work too but I would give the nod to the jigs. Bonito are great sport on light tackle and fight 10 times as hard as the more "desirable" species.
Post #251802
Posted 1/9/2009 1:12:14 PM


Grouper

GrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouper

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:54:59 PM
Posts: 766, Visits: 3,534
White jig, FAST AS YOU CAN REEL, straight retrieve, and I'm not so sure you need the leader since there are no spanish around to cut you off.
Post #251815
Posted 1/9/2009 1:36:57 PM


Trigger

TriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTrigger

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/30/2009 10:34:30 PM
Posts: 279, Visits: 1,222
JoeZ (1/9/2009)
Downsize your lure.

Soemtimes they are feeding on very small minnows and a Gotcha migth be to big. They make 2" gotchas I think or you could just throw small all white pomp jigs and should do OK.

 

the minnows the bonito are feeding on right now are about the size of your fingernail.  hard to throw something that tiny, but try to get as small as you can throw into them.

white or mylar bucktails or tiny spoons, or maybe the smallest gotcha plugs. 

we've managed to catch a couple the last few times out, with the smallest lures, but even then we had to work for them.  as the bait gets bigger, so will the lures.

 

cheers.

drew

 

 

Team Soul Patch redfish tournament team

Team Trailer Trash family fishing team

 

Post #251835
Posted 1/10/2009 10:57:46 AM


Mingo

MingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingo

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/31/2009 4:57:35 AM
Posts: 84, Visits: 271
At Pensacola Pier we're catching them on white/white pomp jigs. like they said light tackle is WAY much better. Consisdering most are only catching Bo bos for sport, heavy tackle will ruin it for you. Some days we're hitting them until you almost have to be carried off the pier in a stretcher. For you novice (like me) fighting a bobo from the pier is alot easier than the surf but not as fun. 8lb test or less is the way to go.
Post #252249
Posted 1/10/2009 12:42:22 PM
Trigger

TriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTriggerTrigger

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:26:24 PM
Posts: 169, Visits: 1,164
Bonita are fun; especially on UL gear.

I fish the surf with a 12 foot rod built on a crappie blank. I designed it for Pompano fishing but is really good for casting small lures. Also lots of fun catching both species.

I fish with a small white Pompano jig, reeling, like the poster says, as fast a you ca, for bonita. I bump the bottom for Pompano(and occasional) flounder..

I fish for Pompano with the same sized jigs, but different colors. I've never(never say never) had any luck on Pompano with a white jig. I use yellow, pink or chartreuse.

I've also caught bonita and Pompano on a fly rod when I waded. A shark put me on dry sand and I've not waded since. I like the long rods from dry sand. C2


A Game Law Violator is a Thief
Post #252285
Posted 1/10/2009 7:04:35 PM


Grouper

GrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouperGrouper

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:41:21 PM
Posts: 848, Visits: 2,349
Everybody has giving you Great advice,but one thing I have found out is somedays It doesn't matter what you throw at them they just will not eat, I have had my Boat in schools of hundreds boiling everywhere and I would throw everything in my Box To try and match the Hatch as they say, but still would not eat, next time your in Navarre stop by HHT and say Hello Nice to put a Face to the Name  just my 2 cents worth  Dwayne

As Long as your having fun Fishing ,Then Catching a Fish Is Just a Bonus!!!

  Dwayne

Post #252446
Posted 1/10/2009 7:19:18 PM


Sailfish

SailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfishSailfish

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:09:12 AM
Posts: 1,376, Visits: 3,017
I'm a landlocked freshwater guy with limited salt experience so take this for what it's worth. When a retrieve isn't working switch up.Try letting it fall if you're in the middle of a feeding frenzy. This will imitate an injured or dead bait drifting below the bait and will likely get picked off.

-------------------------------------

Still in Knoxville,TN but working on it.

Thanks for all the info. Lets go fishing! Can't wait to meet more of you folks.             Hal, you owe me a beer!

http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/galleries/usergallery.asp?gallery=1156

Post #252452
Posted 1/11/2009 12:02:09 AM


Mingo

MingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingo

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:18:20 PM
Posts: 66, Visits: 308
Redfish (1/10/2009)
Everybody has giving you Great advice,but one thing I have found out is somedays It doesn't matter what you throw at them they just will not eat, I have had my Boat in schools of hundreds boiling everywhere and I would throw everything in my Box To try and match the Hatch as they say, but still would not eat, next time your in Navarre stop by HHT and say Hello Nice to put a Face to the Name  just my 2 cents worth  Dwayne

Hey Dwayne my name is Alex I'm sure you have seen me in your store more then once I have a very noticable scar on the left side of my face. BTW I hear ya on the fact that every so often the fish wont bite no matter what you throw at them. Maybe I'll have better luck next time.

A wise man once said good things come to those who bait!

Post #252589
Posted 1/11/2009 12:05:49 AM


Mingo

MingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingoMingo

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:18:20 PM
Posts: 66, Visits: 308
David Ridenour (1/10/2009)
I'm a landlocked freshwater guy with limited salt experience so take this for what it's worth. When a retrieve isn't working switch up.Try letting it fall if you're in the middle of a feeding frenzy. This will imitate an injured or dead bait drifting below the bait and will likely get picked off.

Never gave that thought but I will be sure to give it a shot thanks for the tip.

A wise man once said good things come to those who bait!

Post #252590
« Prev Topic | Next Topic »


All times are GMT -6:00, Time now is 10:57pm

   Pensacola Fishing Fourm


This site is also available at:
http://www.fishinginflorida.info  http://www.fishinginalabama.info http://www.destinfishingforum.com
http://www.orangebeachfishingforum.com
  http://www.fishthebridge.com   http://www.pensacolahuntingforum.com  http://www.pensacoladivingforum.com