10-inch Whip-It Eel and 6-inch Whip-It Fish
I finally got a chance to field test the new skirted Whip It Fish from Al Gags Lures. There is no better proving ground than the Galapagos Islands. I have been fishing there annually for over 15 years and it has the very best striped marlin bite on the planet. This year our group had 33 marlin to the boat in five days of fishing with over 100 bites. Nearly all of the fish were in 150-200lb class and several were well over 300lbs!
We chose to test the 6-inch 3oz skirted Whip-It Fish version because it has a custom hook specifically designed for big game fishing. The striped marlin were chasing massive bait balls of Pacific sardines and the lures were a perfect imitation. The skirt gave the lure some additional body and made the presentation even better. We tried pulling them in the trolling spread, but they basically caught everything! The mahi and tuna loved them and it totally interfered with our marlin bite. Instead we limited their use to conventional pitch baits and spinning tackle.
Whip It Fish as a Pitch Bait
We were pleasantly surprised that the skirted Whip It Fish remained upright and did not spin regardless of the trolling speed. The new 3oz offshore version was perfect because the hook was strong enough to withstand boatside wiring using a 300lb or 400lb leader. We rigged it with a least 4ft of heavy leader which was snapped onto a traditional 200-300lb wind-on. The size, shape, and color was a perfect imitation of a sardine (the prevalent bait). Every pitch we tried resulted in a hook-up! Most of the fish were hooked relatively close to the boat, but some were way back behind the spread.
Whip It Fish as a Casting Lure
Even before we put this on a spinning rod, we were very confident it would work. The biggest challenge is using the right spinning gear. I chose my heavy gear that I use for large yellowfin and medium bluefin tuna. That gear consists of a 7-8ft spinning rod that can handle 65-80lb braided line. I use a 3ft 50lb twisty leader with a 2ft 130lb bite leader tippet. Unfortunately, this means that the fish needs to be really close to the boat before the wireman can step in. The Galapagos marlin fishery is 100% release, so there are no gaffs like what we would use on tuna. The drag in the reel needs to be perfect. The angler needs to know how and when to use a glove to add drag pressure. This is critical!
The following video demonstrates both the pitch bait rig and a huge striped marlin taken on spinning tackle using the Whip-It Fish!
Watch on YouTube or share this link: http://youtu.be/sMLaQYCA1Rs?rel=0
Frequently Asked Questions
The Whip-It Fish is a skirted fishing lure designed for big game fishing, specifically by Al Gags Lures. It is crafted to imitate baitfish like Pacific sardines and comes in sizes such as 6-inch and 10-inch versions suitable for different fishing styles.
The 6-inch Whip-It Fish was highly effective during field tests in the Galapagos Islands, where it attracted numerous striped marlin, resulting in 33 marlin caught over five days. The lure's size, shape, and skirt closely imitate sardines, which are a key baitfish in that area, making it ideal for pitching and casting techniques.
Yes, although initially tested for trolling, the Whip-It Fish was most effective as a pitch bait and casting lure. While trolling caused it to catch various species like mahi and tuna that disrupted marlin bites, using it with conventional pitch bait and spinning tackle yielded the best results without spinning or losing its upright presentation.
For casting the Whip-It Fish, heavy spinning gear designed for large tuna is recommended, including a 7-8 foot spinning rod capable of handling 65-80 lb braided line, combined with a 3 ft 50 lb twisty leader and a 2 ft 130 lb bite leader tippet. This setup helps manage strong fish like marlin while ensuring the lure performs well.
The skirted Whip-It Fish performs well at various trolling speeds, remaining upright and avoiding spinning, which ensures a realistic baitfish presentation. The 3 oz offshore version is particularly well-suited for this due to its custom hook and weighted design.
When pitching with the Whip-It Fish, a leader of at least 4 feet of heavy line is recommended, snapped to a traditional 200-300 lb wind-on leader. The custom hook on the 3 oz offshore version is strong enough to withstand the demands of big game fishing using 300-400 lb leaders.
Yes, the Whip-It Fish has been used successfully in the Galapagos fishery, which enforces 100% release of marlin. The fishing techniques involve careful drag management and wire leaders to safely handle and release striped marlin without gaffing, making the lure suitable for sustainable fishing practices.
