Are you ready to dredge the depths of the open ocean? Deep sea fishing goes far beneath the surface and midwater levels to target Grouper, Halibut, open-water Billfish, and many other species. Reaching the deep waters and ocean floor requires specific lures that have the ability to drop quickly and perform in such a vertical environment.
Deep sea fishing is an absolute blast and you can bring home great-tasting species with the potential to land a true giant. Every deep sea angler has their favorite lures – me included! And I’ll run through the best artificial and bait setups to target giant fish on long lines in this article. Let’s dive in…
Understanding Fish in the Deep Sea
Most deep sea fishing takes place from a vessel on the ocean. There are a few places where docks and shorelines drop off steeply but you need a vessel to really get in the deep sea zone.
Deep sea fishing creates more resistance and demands more power from your equipment, so you’ll want heavy trolling rods and stout reels. It’s a fun way to fish because you never know what’s lurking down in the depths. From Goliath Grouper to huge Halibut, the deep sea is one of the most exciting environments to fish.
Best Lures for Deep Sea Species
Whether you’re stocking your own vessel or bringing gear on a charter, these are some of the most productive and valued lures for the deep sea. Stock up, play with different colors, and get ready to haul in a trophy…
Deep Jigs
If there’s one lure that’s universal for every environment, it’s the jig. In the deep sea, heavy jigs have many advantages. They cut through water and get deep in a hurry. Many bottom-dwelling species are ambush predators and jigs make it easy to keep your presentation in the strike zone.
Drop them towards the bottom and pull up a few feet when the bottom is uniform. Keep your jigs in the strike zone and add action as desired. Soft plastic jigs with rubber legs and lots of action are great in deep sea environments. They can imitate squid, octopus, and bait fish. Simple bucktail-style jigs also perform in this environment. Use a heavy, bullet-style jig head to streamline the action. You can also tip jigs with live or cut bait to add scent and increase the probability of hooking up.
Deep-diving Crankbaits, Stickbaits, and Plugs
Crankbaits have a lip that makes them dive and swim in a very active style. Stickbaits have more of a wobble effect. Meanwhile, plugs come in all kinds of shapes that give them great action below and even near the surface.
In most deep sea fishing situations, these lures are deployed using a downrigger. The downrigger has a ball weight and wire that sets your depth. The line is clipped to the wire and trolled at a steady pace.
You won’t reach true deep sea fishing depths with a cast and retrieve style when fishing lures, so add a downrigger to the vessel. You’ll also want to use electronics to find fish and drop your lures to the appropriate depth. This is a great way to cover ground while working through schools of deep fish.
Bottom and Drift Fishing Rigs with Baits
A majority of deep sea fishing is done with baited hooks that you drop down to the bottom or suspend in a drift. Weights and rigging get you deep in a hurry, while the bait suspends just off the bottom or it trails off the weights while drifting in the open ocean. Heavy leaders and even wire leaders are effective with heavy-duty rigs.
Consider using a simple three-way swivel with the weight off one arm and the leader and hook off the other arm. You can also add a few beads for separation from the hook followed by a sliding sinker. This is very simple, tangle-free, and it gets your bait down quick.
Deep Sea Lure Presentation and Fishing Techniques
You can catch Rockfish, Halibut, Snapper, Grouper, Cod, Tuna, Salmon, Sailfish, and plenty more species while patrolling the deep waters. Fishing near structure or the ocean floor is ideal for many species, but the pelagic prizes swim between the bottom and midwater layers as well. Of course, they can also come to the surface level when bait fish are present!
In terms of techniques, you can fish stationary, catch a drift, or fish under power. Fishing under power means trolling and requires plenty of fuel and a motor equipped to move at a slow to moderate pace over long periods of time.
Drifting is great when you find an ideal area. Allow the ocean currents to move you along while your lures are suspended and drifting at a natural pace. It’s a quiet way to fish through areas that have fish present, whereas trolling allows you to cover more ground while attempting to find the fish.
Lastly, the stationary method is more targeted. It means you have an area dialed and don’t want to move. In some cases, dropping the anchor is possible but oftentimes, you either fish on a calm day or use motors to reset when the currents pull your vessel off the productive fishing grounds.
Deep Sea Fishing Spots
The ocean is a very large place and deep sea anglers need to narrow it down to find productive water. Simple trolling and drifting through open spaces is a surefire way to end up frustrated! Every fish needs food, cover, and optimal conditions…
Starting with cover and structure is a great approach. Reefs, barges, wrecks, deep water trenches, and ocean floor structure are all ideal. In places like Alaska, you can look at the elevation changes to find deep shelves where fish can move and hide comfortably. Always learn the structural elements in your region.
Next, look to the places where food sources gather. This might be a sargassum patch or a zone with natural upwelling. If it produces bait fish or attracts reliable populations of squid, crabs, and other species, you’re in a good place. Find the food, get your offering in the right zone, and get ready to hook up more often.
Deep Sea Fishing FAQs
Are you ready to take on the deep sea?
Deep sea fishing is a dedicated practice that requires an investment in heavy-duty rods and durable equipment. Having a quality vessel with electronics and safety equipment is also important for deep sea excursions. The rewards come in the form of big fish, unique species, and exciting days. Put some of these lures to the test and get in on the action!
What are your favorite deep sea fishing lures? Do you have a system for any specific species or regions? We’d love to hear about your own favorites in the comments!
