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Principle and benefits of the technique
Surface lures imitate wounded or fleeing prey on the surface of the water. They can be used to trigger spectacular attacks, as these often occur on sight.
This is a very effective technique when fish are hunting on the surface, in little water, or in areas of foam, waves or near obstacles (rocks, dykes, beaches, mouths).
Recommended equipment and lures
Cane âeuros¯
A responsive rod with fast or extra-fast action makes it easy to animate surface lures (stickbaits, poppers...).
Lures
- Stickbaits: Heddon Super Spook, Xorus Asturie, Patchinko (good hold in waves, "walking the dog" animation, easily controlled and attractive for all levels).
- Poppers and pencil baits: effective in agitated areas, with a distinctive sound to stimulate predators.
Flashy colors work well in rough seas, while in calm waters, natural colors (white, translucent) can be more discreet and formidable.
Animation techniques
- Walking the dog: basic animation consisting of sharp, regular strokes of the rod, creating a zigzag of the lure on the surface, imitating panicked or wounded prey.
- Pop and Stop: jerky animation punctuated by pauses to simulate dying prey.
Casting the lure near foamy areas, on rock heads, near sandbanks or in current veins often pays off handsomely.
Practical tips
To fish wolffish correctly with a surface lure, it's vital to stay calm. In fact, it's crucial to wait until you feel the weight in the line before you strike. Shooting on sight after a swirl can remove the lure from the fish's mouth and prevent it from returning to the attack.
There are many places to look for wolffish on surface lures. Shallow areas, shorelines, beaches, dykes, rock heads, estuaries, and wherever fish come up to the surface to hunt.
The best times to look for wolffish on surface lures are sunrise and sunset, and when the sea is not too rough.
The advantages of surface lure fishing
A fishing technique that allows you to select fine specimens that attack easily, sometimes even from depths of 10-15 m if the fish are active near the surface layer.
Guaranteed thrills: live attacks, splashes, surface combat.
Fishing for wolffish with surface lures offers a concentrate of sensations and efficiency, combining observation, casting precision and attractive animations to make the most of the behaviour of this fearsome marine predator.
