The Hogy Fishing System
The Hogy Fishing System is built from time on the water—figuring out what works, when it works, and why. It’s a collection of practical insights, proven techniques, and thoughtful gear design meant to simplify decisions and help anglers stay dialed in as conditions change. At our core, we believe in fishing smarter, designing with purpose, and doing our part to protect the fishery for the long haul.
Cracking The Code
Capt. Mike’s Guide to Productive Early Season Albie Recons
Capt. Mike’s Guide to Productive Early Season Albie Recons Salty Cape · Early Season · Recon Capt. Mike’s Guide toProductive Early Season Albie Recons A tactical protocol for f...
Crack The Code: Outer Cape Bluefin Tuna Casting
Bluefin Tuna · Offshore — Outer Cape Backside · Late Fall Cracking the Code Capt. Mike Hogan & John Burns · Salty Cape TV powered by Hogy Location Outer Cape Backside (Peaked Hil...
Crack The Code: Late Summer Bluefin Casting
Bluefin Tuna · Offshore — The Star · Late Summer Cracking the Code Capt. Mike Hogan, Willy Goldsmith & Capt. Shaun Ruge · Salty Cape TV powered by Hogy Location The Star (South o...
Crack The Code: East Of Chatham Tuna Trolling Spread
Bluefin Tuna · Crab Ledge, East of Chatham · Summer Cracking the Code Capt. Mike Hogan · Salty Cape TV powered by Hogy Location Crab Ledge — East...
Crack The Code: Topwater Striper Handkerchief Shoal
Cracking the Code: The Franken Popper at Handkerchief Shoal Striped Bass · Handkerchief Shoal · Early Summer Cracking the Code Capt. Mike Hogan · Salty Cape TV powered by H...
Crack The Code: Micro Squid Rips Finicky Stripers
Cracking the Code: Four Retrieves on One Cast — Surface Eraser vs. Finicky Monomoy Stripers Striped Bass · Monomoy Rips · Mid-June Cracking the Code Capt. Mike Hogan &...
Product Deep Dive
Gear Deep Dive: Hogy Deep Drop Swordfish Eel
Gear Deep Dive: Hogy Perfect Sword Eel — The Eel That Would Not Die Salty Cape · Gear Deep Dive · Limited Relaunch Offshore Deep Drop · Daytime Swordfish Hogy Perfect Sword ...
Gear Deep Dive: Pocket Splash Bird Bar
Salty Cape · Gear Deep Dive Offshore Bird Bar · Spreader Bar System Hogy 18″ Pocket Splash Bar Compact. Versatile. Always in the Water. The Foundation of the Hogy Trolling Spread — and the...
Introducing the Franken Popper
Every once in a while, an idea comes along that flips the script. For us, that moment was back in January, when we asked a bold question: What if we didn’t design our next lure alone? What if we l...
When to use a Slider vs. SP-Style Plug
SP-style swimmers are reliable, no doubt. They’re a top pick when fish are actively chasing slim bait up top. They track well at a steady pace, cover water efficiently, and are often the first plug...
Comparing the Hogy Slowtail vs. Hogy Protail Paddle: When and Why to Use Each
Comparing the Hogy Slowtail vs. Hogy Protail Paddle: When and Why to Use Each Lure Comparison Series · Swimbait Selection Slowtail vs. Protail Paddle Capt. Michael Hogan ·...
Matching Hook Size to Target Species: Hook Size: Larger fish generally require larger hooks to ensure a secure hook set, while smaller fish need appropriately sized hooks to avoid injury and inc...
Rigging & Setup
Performance of 1 vs 2 Hooks On Plugs
First, let’s decompose (one) hook vs (two) hooks in performance terms: One Hook Pros: Efficiency: Easier and faster to release fish, thereby increasing lure time in the water. Improved Action: ...
Weight and Balance: Hook size can affect the weight and balance of a lure, potentially altering its action. Larger hooks might weigh down a lure, changing its swimming pattern, while smaller hook...
Hook Types: J Hooks vs. Treble Hooks
J Hooks: When choosing J hooks for your lures, it's crucial to understand the various types of J hooks and how their orientation can impact the lure's performance. Here’s a detailed guide that in...
Capt. Mike's Inshore Tackle Crate & Load Out
Capt. Mike’s Inshore Tackle Crate & Load Out Hey folks, Captain Mike here. This is my distillation of my personal approach to inshore fishing where I live by the mantra "Fish Smart. Fish Simp...
Capt. Mike's Offshore Tackle Crate & Load Out
Hey folks, Captain Mike here. This is my distillation of my personal approach to tuna fishing where I live by the mantra "Fish Smart. Fish Simple." By this, I mean a system-driven approach that i...
How-To
Capt. Mike's Guide to Fall Plugs and Big Bass in Boulder Fields
Two plugs, one rock line. I swim the OG Swimmer through the lanes beside the boulders and I chug the popper across the open pockets. Here is how I decide which, cast by cast.
Capt. Mike’s Guide to Fall Plugs and Big Bass from the Rocks
My guide to working a boulder field from shore, with an OG Swimmer, a Chug Popper, and a reason for every cast.
Capt. Mike's Guide to the Needle: Open Beach, Sand Eels, Long Casts Into the Wind
From the beach in the fall the fish are on the bar and the wind is in your face. The Perfect Needle is the plug that reaches them and swims like the sand eel they are eating. Here is how I fish it ...
Capt. Mike's Guide to the Needle: Boat in the Wind, Fall Run, Migrating Fish
The Fall Series · S200 Open Water · Boat Fall Run Playbook Capt. Mike Hogan · Salty Cape powered by Hogy Structure S200 Open Water / S100 Rip Line Season Mid-Sept into November ...
How Not to Be a Dick During Albie Season
Every September, the same thing happens. The fish show up, the fleet compresses, the group chat lights up, and somebody in a center console decides that physics, courtesy, and the other eleven boat...
How to Day Drop for Swordfish with a Soft-Plastic Eel
How to Day Drop for Swordfish with a Soft-Plastic Eel Salty Cape · How-To Guide Offshore · Daytime Deep Drop How to Day Drop for Swordfish with a Soft-Plastic Eel A technica...
Conservation:
Five Ways To Keep Big Stripers Alive
Salty Tips: Catch and Release Big Striped Bass — 5 Best Practices Salty Tips · Catch & Release Five Ways to Keep Big Stripers Alive Capt. Mike Hogan & Capt. Rob Low...
Design Considerations For Single Hook Plugs
We (as an industry and anglers collectively) are receiving new data indicating how damaging two hooks can be on a lure for catch and release fishing. As a result, we’re making big changes in on th...
Conservation and Safety Factors with Plugs
A Deep Look at Hooks and Survival Rates of Striped Bass: Here at Hogy and Salty Cape, we have been thinking about the ways we can better contribute to conservation of these awesome fish we chase e...
The Hogy Citizen Science Albie Study
Thank you for checking out the Hogy Citizen Science Albie Study! We are proud to partner with Got One! – the hot new fish logging App – to learn from a dedicated “crowd” of Albie anglers (you!) on ...
Q&A:
When Are Eel Tail Softbaits the “Go To”?
Eel tail softbaits are versatile and highly effective lures that can outperform other types, such as paddle tails, in specific fishing scenarios. Their lifelike, sinuous action and durability make ...
Q & A: Reverse Style Footer Guide On Tuna Casting Rods
Q: I just took delivery of a Hogy Tuna Spinning Rod. It appears one of the guides is backwards? A: Reverse Footer Guide System: Some tuna rods feature a “backwards” first guide, with the guide faci...
Locations:
Black Seabass: Buzzards Bay Rock Piles
Cracking the Code: Simple Sea Bass — Three Methods, One Heavy Minnow Black Sea Bass · Buzzards Bay Rock Piles Cracking the Code Capt. Mike Hogan & George Fearons · Sa...
Join the conversation
Technical Question?
Need more info on a specific technique, fishery or product? Please, send us a message.