How-To — False Albacore

Watch Hogy owner Mike Hogan use his favorite light tackle casting techniques for false albacore. Lures used: Epoxy Jigs

We spent 15 minutes on the phone with Capt. Jay Shields to discuss casting for finicky albies that are keyed in on bay anchovies in the Vineyard Sound with pink Hogy Epoxy Jig Lures. Here's what we learned... Capt. Jay Shields Location: Vineyard Sound – Elizabeth Islands Tides: Moving tides are important; the incoming tide seems to produce the best bite. Approach: Begin scouting for flocks of birds actively feeding or resting on the surface. You may need to sit and wait near birds that are resting until the albie school begins to feed again. This can sometimes take 30 minutes or more...

There may not be a more difficult fish to catch than False Albacore feeding on Bay Anchovies. The fish can become so focused on anchovies that it’s not uncommon for them to ignore all other offerings. We have found using realistic soft baits, like the Hogy 4.6inch Light Sand Eel can hook up on fish that just won’t eat. Recommended Soft Bait: Hogy 4.6″ Light Sand Eel Recommended Rigging: Hogy 1/0 Weighted Swim Bait Hook Recommended Retrieve: A medium to fast paced retrieve is ideal to trigger a reaction strike. Casting along the edges of feeding blitz will present the bait within the...

We spent 15 minutes on the phone with Capt. Michael Hogan, owner and president of Hogy Lure Company, to discuss using top water lures for false albcore keyed in on bay anchovies on Cape Cod. Here's what we found out...   Capt. Michael HoganWebsite: www.hogylures.comInstagram: @hogyfishingFacebook: Hogy Lures Introduction: Albies can be both a source of thrills and great frustration. When they get keyed in on big schools of bay anchovies, albies can have little interest in just about anything else. Location: Cape Cod, MA Tides: Incoming or outgoing but never during slack tide.  Approach: These top water techniques are best suited when sight casting to boiling fish....

If you’ve heard us talk about albie fishing, you’ll certainly hear about the 7-inch Hogy Original in amber again, again and again. I love that lure for albies. It’s my old standby. It never fails. Well, actually, it almost never fails.  The other day, I was humbled when I was fishing for the first time with owner and founder of Aubut Rods. I was excited to show him the power of the 7-inch amber and bragged about the lure the whole way out of Falmouth inner harbor. I quickly knew I was in trouble with the albies when I caught one on my very...