Bonito (bonnies) on lure — quick guide 🐟
Where they hang: Look for warm currents, bait lines, and birds; early winter can push them into shallower, sunlit pockets, but they still chase bait offshore.
Lure options that crush bonnies:
- Metal jigs (40–120 g) in chrome or blue-white
- Spoons (2–4 inches) that flash in the cast
- Small diving plugs / minnow lures that dive 6–15 ft
- Soft plastic swimbaits on a light jig head (3–4 inch)
Gear setup:
- Rod: medium-fast, 7'0"–7'6"; Reel: 2000–4000 size saltwater
- Line: 20–40 lb braid; Leader: 20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Knots: Improved clinch or double uni; use a short leader to prevent bite-offs
How to fish it:
- Scan for birds and suspicious bait schools; cast ahead of the school and work the lure through the commotion.
- For jigs: cast, let it sink briefly, then snap the rod tip and pull up; let flutter back down and repeat.
- For spoons/plugs: retrieve fast with occasional sharp twitches to imitate fleeing baitfish.
Depth tricks by water:
- 0–20 ft: rapid, erratic retrieves
- 20–40 ft: steady to fast retrieves with short pauses
-
40 ft: heavier jigs, longer counts before taking up the slack
Seasonal note: early winter ❄️:
- As water cools, bonnies often school along current edges close to structure or bait. Early morning and late afternoon bites can be hotter; keep moving if the water’s flat.
Common mistakes:
- Overworking the lure or fishing too slowly
- Using too light a line for the depth
- Not checking drag after bites
Pro tips:
- Bring multiple lure weights so you can adjust quickly to depth and chop
- If you’re not getting hits, switch colors or switch to a different lure type
- Respect the wind and current — cast up-current and retrieve with the current to keep lure in the zone
If you want, tell me your location and boat/shore setup and I’ll tailor a one-page map of hotspots and a quick jigging plan. Let’s go get ’em! 🎣🔥
