Deep Water Weakfish
The rod and reel combo we recommend for deep water weakfish should be capable of handling 20-30lb braid. The rod should be 6’6″ to 7′ with a fast to extra-fast action. Levelwind reels are certainly easier to use, but may present a handicap when dropping the bait down during a fast drift (because the line goes out more slowly). Do not be confused by the suggested lure weights specified on the rod blanks. These weights pertain to the size of lures that can be cast effectively using that rod. Much heavier weight can be used when simply dropping to the bottom or flipping the rig away from the boat.
Braided Line for Deep Water Weakfish
The reel should be loaded with 20-30lb braid. The heavier braid is preferred when fishing with the larger 4oz bucktails or bouncing sinkers 4oz or larger on the bottom. Since braided lines have a thinner diameter and less water resistance, they provide an added advantage and allow the angler to hold bottom with lighter sinkers. The lack of stretch transmits even the softest of hits back to the angler.
Deepwater Weakfish Rig
The rig consists of a 3ft length of 30lb fluorocarbon leader attached to the main line using a 75# barrel swivel. The other end of the leader is attached to a 3-way swivel. A 3-6oz bank sinker is tied 2ft beneath the 3-way swivel. The rig is completed with a 3/o beak baitholder style hoook on a 3ft length of 30# fluorocarbon leader. A 2-4oz bucktail can be substituted for the bank sinker when using artificial soft-baits.
Deepwater Weakfish Baits
Live peanut bunker or snappers (baby bluefish) are effective but not very durable. Artificial shrimp, sandworm, mullet, grub, and squid soft-baits are universally effective. These baits can be fished on the 3/0 hook or used to tip the bucktail. The bucktail can also be tipped with a variety of artificial soft-baits. The artificial shrimp and squid can especially effective when those baits are presents.
Deep Water Weakfish Checklist
- 6’6″ to 7″ fast to extra-fast conventional rod rated for 30lb braid
- Conventional reel with/without levelwind rated for 30lb braid
- 20-30lb braid
- 75lb barrel swivel
- Three-way swivel
- 30lb fluorocarbon leader
- 10z to 6oz bucktails in white, chartreuse (yellow/green), and pink
- Soft-bait shrimp, quid, sandworms, mullet, and grubs
- 3oz to 6oz bank sinkers
- 3/0 beak baitholder hook
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!
Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Ally Boat Rods Inshore casting (conventional) and spinning rods - 7' - multiple models suitable for 10-40lb mono and 10-50lb braid - fast to extra-fast actions - 1 piece tubular glass blank construction with solid glass tip - Fuji aluminum oxide guides - Pac Bay roller guides (on select models) - Heavy duty reel seats - EVA Torque foregrips - Aluminum gimbals Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon |  |  |
 | Shimano Teramar Northeast Inshore Casting Inshore conventional rod - 6'6" to 7'6" - multiple models suitable for 12-50lb braid or mono - medium to fast actions - lure weights from 1/2oz to 6oz Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Penn Fathom Levelwind Star drag conventional reel with level wind - models rated for 15-60lb mono and 20-100lb braid - 4.3:1 gear ratio - 3 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Penn Fathom Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 5 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Tekota Star drag conventional reel with levelwind rated for 12-40lb mono and 30-80lb braid - 3 ball bearings - 4.2:1 gear ratio Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Torium Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 14-50lb mono and 40-100lb braid - 6.2:1 gear ratio - 3 ball bearings - aluminum frame and side plates Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Fireline Braid Braided line - virtually no stretch - moss green color - very thin line diameter - available 6 to 80lb test and 110, 300, and 1500 yard spools Learn more and buy at Berkley Learn more and buy at Amazon |  | |
 | HookUp SynTail Bucktail SynTail Series w/premium Mustad hooks and synthetic skirt for durability - available in 1/2oz to 6oz in a wide variety of colors Buy these direct from Hookup Lures |  |
 | Hookup Big Bucktail Classic bucktail w/premium Mustad hooks available in 1oz and 1.5oz in a wide variety of colors Buy these direct from Hookup Lures | |
 | Berkley Gulp Mullet Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 3" - GSSM3 - available in 12 colors - natural, action, scent and taste - irresistible swimming tail action. :earn more and buy from Berkley Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp Alive Shrimp Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 3" - GAPSHR3 - 15 different colors - looks, feels and smells like live shrimp - extremely durable and long lasting - rig on a jig, dropper, or any way you would with live shrimp Learn more and buy from Berkley Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp Alive Grub Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 1.5" - GAJJG1- available in black, chartruese, pearl, and white - proven shape and action works well for all fish - use on jigs, dropshots, and dropper loops Learn more and buy from Berkley Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp Sandworm Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 6" - GAPSW6 - available on bloody, camo and natural - looks and feels like natural sandworms - rig and fish like live bait. Learn more and buy direct from Berkley Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp Squid Softbait - 3" - GSSQ3 - available in 6 different colors - natural action, scent and taste - rig on a jig-head, a dropper loop or a Carolina rig. Learn more and buy direct from Berkley Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp 6" Grub Softbait - 6" - GSG6 - available in 6 different colors - tough and durable - fish at depths up to 300 feet - wide swimming tail for greater action and visibility Learn more and buy direct from Berkley Learn more and buy direct on Amazon | | |
 | Mustad Beak Baitholder Hook 92661-NI - Forged, Reversed, 2 Slices in special long shank, Ringed, Nickel Learn more and buy at Amazon | |
 | Mustad Rolling Swivel 77900 - Black Rolling Swivel w/round eye - available sizes/rating: 4/144lb, 6/118lb, 8/104lb, 9/77lb, 10/70lb, 12/49lb, and 14/42lb |
 | Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 4-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri TopKnot Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - additional abrassion resistance, lower diameter, invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 8-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Prospec Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear, blue, pink, brown colors - 20-200lb test and 25/33/75/100yd coils Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
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