Deep Water Weakfish

CAPT ANDY LOCASCIO OCT 3, 2010 10:16 PM

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!