Special behavior
Salt ponds are generally very shallow, so the water heats up very quickly in summer and becomes very cold in winter. Fish such as wolffish, which reproduce during the coldest winter months, then leave the ponds to spawn in the open sea. Fishing in this type of spot is therefore mainly practiced from spring to autumn.
The phases of wolfish activity are very particular, especially when the water is very warm. Sunrise and sunset are times not to be overlooked, but you can also fish in the middle of the day when a strong wind is blowing. The waves created by the wind will mix the warm, salty surface water with the fresh, cool water at the bottom, creating greater turbidity and a more even temperature in the water layer. The wolves hunt to take full advantage of this and feed abundantly.
Effective techniques
There are several techniques that are frequently used in salt ponds, since they are the most effective. In calm weather, the various surface lures are undoubtedly the most fun to use. The most popular lure is the stickbait, but variants such as the propbait and buzzing shad are very effective on educated fish.
When fish tend to stick to the bottom, soft lures such as shads mounted on lead heads are a must, as they allow us to fish at all depths. On the other hand, when the wind is blowing hard, these lures should be avoided as they don't cast very well and are difficult to get to swim properly in the waves. Casting jigs are de rigueur in this case, as their ability to easily split the air makes them very useful. Casting jigs can also be used to fish all water layers, depending on their shape and weight, even in strong winds.
A few tips for wolffish pond fishing
Wolffish in salt ponds are a fish that comes under heavy fishing pressure during the good season, so it's important to stand out from other anglers if you want to succeed in luring them. For example, try silent stickbaits, as most anglers use very noisy lures. You can also choose one that swims just under the film to change from the classic floating lure animation.
When the season is well advanced, salt ponds are full of weed beds, making it the ideal time for Texan fishing, just as black bass anglers would do in freshwater. Fish often hide in the shade of the weed beds, in the more oxygenated water, so don't hesitate to fish right in the heart of the algae carpet.
