In this new Salty Cape shoot I joined Diogo from Gorilla Tactics Charters to chase late season bonito on topwater. Feeds were quick and the fish were a little finicky, but nothing beats watching them crush plugs on the surface

Approach:

We slid in from upwind, staying patient and leading the fish with long downwind casts. The key was adjusting retrieval speed. Sometimes they wanted it burned across the crown, other times a slower pace kept them pinned.

Capt. Mike’s Gear List

Hogy Surface Eraser 7/8oz (Amber, Pink, Olive)

Long Ranger: My go-to plug for reaching short feeds from long distances.

• Keeled for action.
• Weighted for super-long casts.
• Fantastic Eats

How I fished it:

1. Softbait Retrieve: Fish it like a topwater softbait. The same great greats BUT no re-rigging. Steady medium retrieve with short sweeps and twitches, keeping it moving across the crown.
2. Stick retrieve: With tip up, let the Hogy Surface Eraser wobble an inch below the surface resulting for longer hang time in strike zone. (Keeled for action)

Hogy Micro Chug Popper 3/8oz (Bone, Pink, Silver)

Noisy Fish Whisperer:

• Not so subtle topwater for scattered fish after the feed dies.
• Call fish back into the fold.
• Even More Fantastic Eats

How I fished it:

1. Pop and stop: Impart long pauses, letting the plug sit before the next chug. Most eats come right after the pause.
2. Continuous chug: Steady retrieve with steady pops to cover more water when fish are spread out.

Outfit: 

Hogy Inshore System: 7’ M

This is my go-to light setup for funny fish. It’s got the finesse for long casts with small plugs and jigs, lite enough to enjoy the fight, enough back bone to land quickly. Paired with a 4000-class Daiwa Saltist, 20lb braid, and 15lb fluoro leader.