People often ask me what are the best offshore fishing lures to catch trophy fish while travelling or going on a fishing charter.
As a charter guide for three decades, I have trialled innumerable lures with mixed success. Many are duds while a rare few are absolute crackers!
So after a dig through my tackle box, I’ve grabbed my favourites.
There are 8 main categories of offshore fishing lures I use to maximise my chances to catch trophy fish.
We also have a previous blog for inshore fishing lures.
Watch the video for my favourites in each category.
There are eight main categories for offshore fishing lures we use here in the tropics.
1. Deep Hard Bodies
Deep hard bodies like the Rapala X-Rap Magnum are ideal for trolling for marlin baits like Scaly Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel around bommies, drop offs and ledges. Doing so I’ve also regularly caught coral trout as by-catch.
Rapala X-Rap Magnum is great for trolling around ledges and drop offs.
2. Shallow Hard Bodies
I only have a few lures in my RMF Shop and this is one of them! It is a versatile lure mostly used for catching barra in creeks. However recently I have used it as an offshore fishing lure, casting for reef fish on the flats.
Swapping out the trebles for single 3/0 hooks on our RMF Scaleblazer (BUY HERE) makes it an effective offshore fishing lure. Cast over reef flats for best results.
3. Sinking Sink Baits
One of the most versatile lures I have ever used is our RMF Pillager. Used like a vibe they have a unique flutter that fish find irresistible. We used them extensively on our Princess Charlotte Bay trip. While they look small they can be used to catch all manner of species from Nanny-gai and Coral Trout. If you can get them past the pelagics like Queenies, GT’s and Mackerel on the way down. At 25 grams if there is a bit of current, just throw up-current a bit.
I’ve lost count of the Large-Mouth Nannygai we’ve caught on our RMF Pillager’s now.If you can get them past the pelagics!The Nomad Mad Scad is a larger alternative. Ideal for dropping down the edge of bommies chasing GTs and coral trout using an erratic retrieve.
4. Floating Stick Baits
My favourite forms of fishing… Top water. Because watching them crash on the surface is an adrenaline hit! A good example is the Edge Topwater Stickbait below. We picked this one up from BCF for a trial and it worked pretty well. I like natural colours in these type of lures because it imitates injured bait fish.
Topwater stickbaits are best used casting over reef flats. I’d recommend 100 to 120 lb leader to help avoid getting cut off on the coral. Attach with a perfection loop.
5. Poppers and Surface Lures
Use these offshore fishing lures on the run out tide when the reef drains on larger tides closer to the moon. I like to change trebles to single hooks as they are often easier to get out of the fish and don’t inhibit the action as much.
Halco Roosta PopperOld Dog lures Pug Poppers. I go way back with Master lure designer Dave Killalea – of Killalure and Old Dog Lures. Any Old Dog handmade lure not only catches but is a work of art!
6. Soft Plastics
I’ve been using the Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad for years fishing Wonky Holes. They are dynamite. They are well weighted therefore they get to the bottom quickly. Retrieve slow and steady or jig up and down slowly and let fall because many strikes will come on the fall.My go to paddletail inshore can also be used offshore. Due to the current and depth however, it pays to upgrade and use 1-2 ounce jig heads. Keitech Swing Impact fat.
7. Metal Slices
Easily home made and there are plenty on the market, metal slices are designed to mimic a fleeing baitfish.
Ideal for throwing into bait schools where tuna and other pelagics are boiling.
It pays to “match the hatch” because fish will chase things the same size. Therefore be sure and keep a variety of sizes on hand and match them to the baitfish being chased.
8. Slow Pitch Jigs
This type of offshore fishing lures is great alternative to bait fishing for demersal species. Fish typically hit on the drop which makes it super exciting and of course, cleaner than bait with no stinky boat to clean.
Our Levitator jigs have a scallop on one side and a weighted end therefore they dart and flutter like a squid or injured baitfish. Use in 15-30 metres of water for best results.
We have been smashing all manner of species on these jigs and they are certainly a great addition to any tackle box. Especially if chasing reds, snapper and coral trout.
Red fish can’t seem to resist our Levitator Jigs. Buy them here.
Fishing on the fish
The key to catching good fish is not just choosing the right offshore fishing lure. It’s about fishing on the fish.
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