Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of fighting a monster marlin and winning, but deep-sea fishing requires knowledge and skill. Novice fishermen will have a hard time landing big game species without a little research and practice.

When you’re ready to head offshore in your fishing boat, you’ll want to bring the right gear, bait, and lures. There are thousands of options available, and figuring out what to add to your tackle box can feel like learning a new language.

If you’re not sure where to begin, we can help. We talk to experienced fishermen all the time, and they love to let us in on their tips and tricks. Keep reading to learn more about deep-sea fishing and the best bait and lures to help you land the big one.

What Is Deep Sea Fishing?

There are so many different fishing styles, but perhaps none as satisfying as deep-sea fishing. Also known as big game fishing or offshore fishing, it is more challenging than inshore fishing both tactically and physically.

Wondering if it’s worth the effort? The answer is definitely yes. Deep-sea species are huge, beautiful, and often delicious.

What qualifies as deep-sea fishing, exactly? It depends where you are in the world, but generally, deep-sea fishing requires you to travel at least 20 miles offshore. If you’re casting a line in the water that is hundreds or thousands of feet deep, you can consider yourself a deep-sea fisherman.

You’ll find different fish offshore than you would in shallower, inshore areas. Deep-sea species vary between locations. Tuna, sharks, swordfish, and marlin are popular targets.

Predatory offshore fish are strong and fast, so you can expect an exciting fight if you manage to get a bite. If you want to return home from your next trip with a full cooler and some great photos, now is the time to start building your kit.

Bait vs Lures

When you go deep-sea fishing, you can use bait or lures to attract fish. You should make your choice with a target species in mind. Some fish prefer live or cut bait, while others are happy to go after a lure.

Catching bait can be a lot of work, but its natural smell and shape are attractive to game fish. Lures are convenient, reusable, and remarkably effective. There is a bit of technique involved in using them, but anyone can learn.

First, make sure you have a quality fishing pole, then take a look at our list of recommended baits and lures.

Cut Bait

The strong scent of cut bait is guaranteed to attract attention from predatory fish, and you don’t even have to keep it alive! To use cut bait, you’ll have to buy it frozen or make your own. Use a cast net to catch small baitfish, then slice them into smaller pieces.

Almost any fish species can be used to make fresh cut bait. Squid and octopus work well too.

Chop up the smaller fish you catch throughout the day and use the chunks to bait your hook. Game fish like mahi-mahi, swordfish, and tuna will find the flavour irresistible.

Bait Fish

A good rule of thumb when deep-sea fishing is if you want to catch large fish, use large bait. Large, pelagic species are attracted to the smell and movement of their prey, so baiting your hook with a live fish is an effective offshore fishing strategy.

Live baitfish can be purchased from a local bait shop, or you have the option to catch them yourself. Store your live bait in the live well on your boat to keep them oxygenated and healthy throughout the day.

Popular live bait species include ballyhoo, pilchards, bluefish, and pinfish. Eels and crabs are common choices as well.

If you are fishing for sharks, try using small to medium-sized mackerel to lure them in. Kingfish love menhaden and squid.

Remember, never handle cut bait or live baitfish if you have sunscreen on your hands. Game fish will be able to detect the chemicals, and they will avoid anything that doesn’t smell like food.

Williamson Lures Ballyhoo Combo

Ballyhoo are baitfish that live near the surface of the ocean. They have a long, distinct beak and are an enjoyable snack for billfish, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other pelagic species.

If you’d rather not spend your precious fishing time catching ballyhoo, you’re in luck. The Williamson Lures Ballyhoo Combo is an excellent man-made alternative.

It features a realistic plastic ballyhoo covered by a scoop head Sailfish Catcher that creates a smoke and bubble trail designed to attract large, fast fish. It also comes pre-rigged with a hook and 6′ of 130-lb. mono, so you can start casting ASAP.

The Green Machine

The Green Machine is one of the most beloved offshore fishing lures, great for attracting various top predators. Albacore tuna love this lure. Sevenstrand originally manufactured it, but now many companies offer a similar design.

This lure consists of a plastic head filled with green beads, with a green skirt attached. Green Machines can be purchased rigged or unrigged, depending on your fishing needs. Try trolling at a speed of around 7 knots, leaving some space between the boat and the lure for maximum success.

Mold Craft Wide Range

The Mold Craft Wide Range is notoriously effective for catching marlin. In fact, this lure was used to land a record-setting 1,189 lb. blue marlin! Its heavier-than-average head helps it perform well in rough water at a variety of speeds. You can also try it for targeting tuna and other billfish.

Pakula Lumo Sprocket

The Pakula Sprocket is consistently named one of the top 10 lures of all time by Marlin Magazine. Designed in Australia by Peter Pakula, this prized lure can be used anywhere in the world at various speeds. It’s so simple to use that some fishermen call it automatic.

The Sprocket is designed for diving and surfacing repeatedly, leaving a chain of bubbles that will capture almost any pelagic species’ attention. Please give it a test drive when you go after marlin or sailfish.

The Cedar Plug

Cedar plugs are old-school, but they have earned a position of respect in tackle boxes everywhere for their ability to attract yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi.

Best for slow trolling, this simple design is made from wood and lead. The wood can be left natural or painted to resemble common prey species. Some fishermen soak the wood in fish oil to add extra appeal for hungry predators.

It doesn’t look fancy, but the cedar plug is a top performer. Fishing experts suggest using models with larger hooks to reduce the risk of dropping fish.

Flutter Jig

Engineered to mimic an injured baitfish, flutter jigs are relatively new to the offshore fishing lure scene. They are a welcome addition, with the ability to tempt tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. They can also attract inshore snapper and grouper species.

This is a great lure for beginners because it does the work for you. There’s no special technique required. The flutter jig’s irregular movement will appeal to a sport fish’s instinct to kill and eat an easy target.

There are a variety of models available, but the Shimano Butterfly Fall-Flat Jig gets consistently positive reviews.

Hopkins Hammered Spoon

Hammered spoons are designed to resemble baitfish. The hammered surface creates a scale-like flash underwater, great for attracting a variety of target species.

Made of solid stainless steel, the Hopkins hammered spoon is easier to cast than lighter shallow-water spoons. Try jigging for pike, salmon, or trout with this lure.

Lipped Plugs

If you’re interested in catching deepwater grouper species, lipped plugs are worth experimenting with. Designed to mimic the action of a baitfish at various depths, lipped plugs should be deployed to wherever your target fish likes to hang out in the water column.

If you know there’s a bottom structure around 50 feet, send the lure down, then reel it in a few feet at a time to attract bites.

Poppers

More experienced fishermen best use poppers since they require repetitive casting and some accuracy. This lure has a cupped end that is designed to resemble a struggling fish near the surface of the water, which draws game fish up from the deep.

Remember to check behind you before each cast – accidentally hooking a friend will ruin an otherwise perfect day on the water.

Stay Safe and Have Fun Deep Sea Fishing

Now that you know what to add to your tackle box before your next deep sea fishing adventure, it’s time to get your boat ready and start planning. There are so many exciting offshore destinations to explore.

Stay safe, remember to follow the local fishing regulations, and have fun!

If you’re in the market for a new fishing boat, contact us today to learn more about our selection and inventory.