Fishing with LiveScope technology has revolutionized the way anglers target and catch fish. This advanced sonar system provides real-time images of fish and structures, allowing you to adapt your techniques and baits with precision. Knowing which baits to use in different scenarios can significantly enhance your fishing success. Here, we'll explore the best baits for targeting both suspended fish and those hugging the bottom or hiding in cover. Make sure you have the best settings for Garmin Livescope with our Settings Guides.
Best Baits for Suspended Fish (Floaters or on bait)
When targeting suspended fish or those feeding on baitfish, it's essential to choose baits that mimic the natural prey and entice a reaction strike. Here are the top baits for this scenario:
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Jig Head Minnow Style Bait (Damiki Rig)
- Description: The Damiki rig features a soft plastic minnow on a jig head, designed to hover perfectly in the strike zone.
- Why It Works: Its subtle, lifelike movement mimics a dying baitfish, which is irresistible to suspended predators.
- Tips for Use: Use a light jig head to maintain a natural fall rate. Keep an eye on your LiveScope screen to position the bait just above the fish.
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Alabama Rig
- Description: This rig features multiple swimbaits on wire arms, simulating a small school of baitfish.
- Why It Works: The Alabama rig creates a visual and vibrational appeal that can trigger strikes from multiple fish at once.
- Tips for Use: Cast and retrieve at varying speeds to find the most effective presentation. Watch for how fish react on your LiveScope and adjust accordingly.
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Jerk Baits
- Description: Jerk baits are hard-bodied lures with a slender profile and erratic, darting action.
- Why It Works: Their erratic movement mimics an injured baitfish, provoking aggressive strikes from opportunistic fish.
- Tips for Use: Use a jerking and pausing retrieve. The pauses often trigger strikes as the bait appears to be an easy meal.
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Glide Baits
- Description: Glide baits are large, jointed lures that swim with a wide, gliding action.
- Why It Works: Their slow, deliberate movement can attract big, trophy fish from a distance.
- Tips for Use: Use a steady retrieve with occasional pauses. The glide bait’s motion should be visible on LiveScope, allowing you to track fish reactions and adjust your retrieve.
Best Baits for Fish on the Bottom or in Cover
When fish are holding tight to the bottom or buried in cover, you need baits that can penetrate and entice bites in these challenging environments. Here are the top choices:
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Drop Shot
- Description: The drop shot rig features a soft plastic bait rigged above a weight, allowing the bait to hover just off the bottom.
- Why It Works: It presents the bait in a natural, suspended manner while keeping the weight on the bottom, perfect for enticing wary fish.
- Tips for Use: Use smaller, finesse baits and keep your movements subtle. Watch your LiveScope to position the bait precisely in front of the fish.
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Neko Rig
- Description: The Neko rig is a soft plastic worm rigged with a weight in one end, causing it to stand up off the bottom.
- Why It Works: This presentation mimics a worm burrowing into the substrate, a natural and irresistible sight for bottom-hugging fish.
- Tips for Use: Use light twitches to make the worm stand and quiver. Position the bait directly in the fish’s path using LiveScope.
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Jig
- Description: Jigs come in various styles, but all are designed to be fished on or near the bottom.
- Why It Works: Jigs can mimic a variety of prey, including crawfish and baitfish. They excel at penetrating cover and triggering reaction strikes.
- Tips for Use: Use a slow, dragging or hopping retrieve to keep the jig in the strike zone. Adjust the jig weight based on depth and cover density, and use LiveScope to ensure you're staying in the fish’s preferred area.
Conclusion
Utilizing LiveScope technology to its fullest potential means choosing the right bait for the right situation. Whether you're targeting suspended fish with a Damiki rig or Alabama rig, or focusing on bottom-dwellers with a drop shot or jig, the key is to observe fish behavior and adapt your presentation accordingly. With these baits and tips, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your catch and enjoying more successful fishing trips. Happy fishing!
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Written by Hugh in partnership with HughFishing and Fishing Map Cards.