How to Fish a Yo-Yo Iron: Expert Insight Revealed
Introduction:
Fishing for yellowtail in deep waters, also known as meter fishing, presents a thrilling challenge for anglers. However, navigating through varying sea conditions such as wind, strong currents, or both, adds another layer of complexity to the pursuit. In this guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of yo-yo iron fishing for yellowtail in deep water, offering expert tips to enhance your chances of success.
Why you can trust this knowledge:
Meet Jay Saberon, the former Captain of Prime Time & Goal Sport Fishing, boasting an impressive 18 years of experience in the industry.
With a wealth of knowledge accumulated over years of navigating the vast ocean waters, Jay has honed his skills and expertise in the art of deep water yellowtail fishing. Now, he graciously shares his insights and wisdom, offering invaluable tips and strategies to help fellow anglers overcome the challenges inherent in this exhilarating pursuit. Join us as we delve into Jay's world of deep water fishing yo-yo fishing for Yellowtail.
Table of Content
How to Fish a Yo-yo Iron - Deep Water Yellowtail
1. Starting at the Downwind Corner
Fishing from the downwind corner of the boat is a strategic approach that can significantly enhance your success rate, particularly when targeting yellowtail in deep waters. This positioning offers several advantages that contribute to a more effective and productive fishing experience.
Firstly, starting at the downwind corner facilitates the efficient deployment of your jig to the bottom of the water column. When fishing in deep waters, it's essential to reach the desired depth quickly and effectively. By positioning yourself at the downwind corner, you align your fishing efforts with the direction of the current, allowing for a smoother descent of your jig. This alignment minimizes resistance and drag, enabling your jig to sink faster and more efficiently, ultimately maximizing your fishing time in the strike zone.
Moreover, fishing from the downwind corner also aids in maintaining a vertical presentation of your jig. Keeping the jig directly beneath the boat in a vertical orientation is crucial for enticing yellowtail bites. Yellowtail are known to be opportunistic feeders, often striking at prey that appears natural and accessible. By positioning yourself at the downwind corner, you can better control the drift of your boat and adjust your line accordingly to maintain the desired vertical alignment of your jig. This increases the visibility and attractiveness of your lure to yellowtail below, enhancing your chances of eliciting strikes.
"The downwind corner is the portion of the boat that aligns with the direction of your drift, such as when drifting towards the beach on the port side, designates the downwind corner as the port corner."
2. Understanding the Role of Scope
In deep water fishing for yellowtail, the concept of line scope becomes crucial. Unlike in shallow water where the amount of line that is out may not significantly impact lure presentation, deep water scenarios demand careful consideration of line scope due to the direct impact from the conditions on the water. As your drop your lure into the water the current, swell and the wind directly effect the position of your lure. If you drop too soon or too late, you missed your window of opportunity as one of those conditions will push you away from the fish. This is why starting at the downwind corner and minimizing the line scope is essential in deep water fishing to ensure that the lure remains visible to the targeted yellowtail.
In contrast to shallow water techniques which involves surface activity and casting, deep water fishing requires a different approach. Here, maintaining a vertical presentation is the key. Anglers should aim to keep the lure directly below the boat, ensuring that it remains within the fish's field of vision. This vertical alignment increases the chances of the yellowtail spotting the lure by properly putting your lure in front of the fish.
In essence, while fishing for yellowtail in deep waters, anglers must prioritize minimizing line scope to enhance lure visibility and maintain a vertical presentation. By doing so, they can effectively target and entice yellowtail, maximizing their chances of a successful fishing expedition.
"The scope is the angle of your fishing line extending outward from the boat."
3. Visibility in Deep Water
Visibility in deep water directly influences the effectiveness of fishing for yellowtail in several ways:
- Lure Visibility: Yellowtail, like many other fish species, rely on visual cues to locate and target their prey. In deep water, where light penetration is limited and visibility is reduced, ensuring that your lure remains visible to yellowtail becomes crucial. Fishing with less scope or slack in your line increases the likelihood of the yellowtail spotting your lure, making it more likely to attract their attention and elicit strikes.
- Triggering a Response: Yellowtail are known to be opportunistic feeders, often reacting to prey items that appear natural and accessible. In deep water, where visibility is limited, presenting your lure in a clear and visible manner increases the likelihood of triggering a response from yellowtail. Fishing with less scope ensures that your lure remains conspicuous and attractive, encouraging yellowtail to strike.
- Maximizing Efficiency: Fishing with less scope not only increases lure visibility but also enhances overall fishing efficiency. With a taut line and minimal slack, anglers can better detect subtle strikes or movements, allowing for quicker responses and more effective hook sets. This increased efficiency is particularly beneficial when targeting yellowtail in deep water, where precise presentations and quick reactions are essential for success.
4. Pitch the yo-yo iron Down Swell
Pitching down swell is a strategic maneuver that can significantly enhance your success when fishing for yellowtail in deep water. This technique involves deliberately casting or pitching your jig in the direction of the swell, utilizing the natural movement of the water to your advantage.
The main advantage of pitching down swell is its efficiency in positioning the jig directly under the boat by the time you reach the upwind corner. This strategic move ensures that your lure remains in close proximity to the boat, making it easier to monitor and control its movement. Additionally, being directly beneath the boat increases the visibility of your jig to yellowtail below, maximizing your chances of attracting bites.
In summary, pitching down swell is a highly effective technique for enhancing your success when fishing for yellowtail in deep water. By utilizing the natural movement of the water to position your jig effectively and maximize its time in the strike zone, you increase your chances of enticing strikes and landing prized catches. So, the next time you head out to tackle yellowtail in the depths, consider incorporating pitching down swell into your fishing strategy for optimal results.
Conclusion:
Mastering yo-yo iron fishing for yellowtail in deep water requires a combination of strategic positioning, line management, and understanding fish behavior. By starting at the downwind corner, minimizing scope, and employing tactical maneuvers such as pitching down swell, anglers can increase their chances of success in this challenging pursuit. So, arm yourself with these techniques, head out to the deep waters with confidence as you embark on your yellowtail fishing adventure!
Start the downwind corner to maintain the desired vertical alignment of your jig.
Understand the role of scope to position your lure in front of the fish.
Take the depth you are fishing into consideration to increase your lure presentation.
Pitch down swell to position your jig effectively.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Yo-yo should I use?
There are a variety you can choose from depending on the size and weight: Salas 6x, Salas 6x Jr., Salas 7x, JRI-66 (Brass), Tady 4/0, DS9 Steel Baits and many more!
What pound line should I use to fish a Yo-yo iron?
We personally like to stick to 40 pound monofilament but many people prefer use 50-60lb line as you are fishing your lure near rocky structure.
What size fishing rod should I use?
A 6'-7'6 rated anywhere between 30-60lb is ideal for fishing a heavy iron. We recommend sticking with a 40-50 lb rod if you are fishing inshore for Yellowtail.