LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

• They are typically found in nearshore waters.

• Weakfish are primarily found in the mid Atlantic through New York.

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

• Weakfish are typically found near structure such as jetties, inlets, and wrecks, as well as over sandy and grassy bottoms. They are also known to congregate around man-made structures such as pilings and piers.

PATTERNS

SPRING

•  Weakfish can be found in the Gulf of Mexico as they migrate northwards from their wintering grounds in the south.

SUMMER

• Typically found in nearshore waters along the coast and are considered the prime season for catching them in the North East of the US.

FALL

• Weakfish can still be caught in the North East of the US waters as they migrate southwards.

  
  

WINTER

• Typically not as abundant in the North East of the US waters.

Bait

• Crab, Bunker, Worms, Clams.

Techniques

Bait Fishing

• How: Use live or dead bait and fish in areas with seagrass beds, oyster bars, or drop-offs. Cast out and let the bait sit, or use a slow retrieve. Weakfish are known to be attracted to squid, shrimp, and small baitfish.

• Gear: Rods: Light to medium spinning rods. Reels: 2000-3000 size spinning reels. Line: 8-10lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon. Hooks: Size 1-2 live bait hooks, or circle hooks when using live bait to reduce the risk of gut hooking.

Artificial Lures

• How: Weakfish are attracted to a variety of lures including soft plastics, topwater lures, and suspending lures. Fish around seagrass beds, oyster bars, or other structure. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: Medium to medium-light spinning rods. Reels: 3000-4000 size spinning reels. Line: 10-12lb test braided line or fluorocarbon leader. Lures: Soft plastics, topwater lures, suspending lures, and jigs.

Fly Fishing

• How: Weakfish can be caught on a variety of fly patterns, including shrimp, crab, and baitfish imitations. Fish around seagrass beds, oyster bars, or other structure. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: 6-8 wt fly rod. Reels: Reel to match size fly rod. Line: Floating/Sinking/Intermediate depending on situations. Leaders: 9-12ft 10-15lb fluorocarbon leaders with tippet sizes ranging from 2-6lb. Flies: Clouser Minnows, shrimp patterns, and baitfish imitations.

Surf Fishing

• How: Look for troughs, sandbars, and other structure near shore. Cast out with bait or lures and let it drift with the current. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy surf rods. Reels: 5000-6000 size spinning reels. Line: 15-20lb test braided line or fluorocarbon leader. Hooks: Size 1-2 live bait hooks, or circle hooks when using live bait to reduce the risk of gut hooking.

Trolling

• How: Weakfish can be caught by trolling with deep diving plugs or spoons in areas with structure or drop-offs.

• Gear: Rods: Medium-heavy trolling rods. Reels: 5000-6000 size trolling reels. Line: 20-30lb test monofilament or braided line. Lures: Deep diving plugs or spoons.