Spring Sardine Smackdown
Every year an explosive abundance of coastal baitfish ignites the spring bite along the Gulf Coast. One of the most popular forage species, the scaled sardine (aka “whitebait” or “pilchard”) appears in voluminous schools that attract an array of sport fish such as snook, redfish, cobia, tarpon, and jacks.
With shimmering sides and an olive green dorsal ridge, scaled sardines resemble another popular forage fish, the threadfin herring (aka “greenbacks,” or “greenies”). Notably, these baitfish often inhabit similar areas and, while differences do exist, predators typically gobble them with equal aggression.
The good news for anglers is that a handful of artificial baits do a great job of mimicking both baitfish species. That means broad appeal and maximum spring productivity.
First up is the LIVETARGET Sardine Swimbait, a user-friendly option that’s ideal for a variety of scenarios. Throw this bait over grass flats, along mangrove edges, and over shallow rock reefs. You’ll also find that tracing docks and pier perimeters will deliver the bites.
For flats, coastal, and nearshore missions, keep a LIVETARGET Sardine Swimbait handy for targets of opportunity — namely cobia. The brown bombers are notorious for suddenly appearing on your perimeter, apparently rising out of curiosity. Typically a cooperative fish, cobia quickly respond to the sardine profile and that swimbait allows you to make multiple casts much easier than you could with a more delicate live bait.
Wherever you throw this bait, the tail oscillator creates a tight flicker action that resembles a fleeing baitfish. Adjust your rod angle and retrieve cadence for appropriate depth tracking.
Other great options:
LIVETARGET Scaled Sardine Twitchbait — Typically worked at a slower, more erratic pace, this bait’ i ideal for targeting potholes, channel edges, tidal troughs and even docks. The 3-inch twitchbait is a strong choice for working dock, pier or bridge lights for snook, trout, ladyfish, and small tarpon. Cast uptide past the light ring, bring the bait with the water flow and put on a frantic performance once it reaches the illuminated zone.
In any scenario with about 4-plus feet of depth, yo-yoing the bait can trigger bites. Also, try retrieving at a semi-regular twitching cadence, then suddenly kill the bait and let it fall for a few seconds. This dead sticking trick often pushes followers into committing.
LIVETARGET Flutter Sardine — Made to imitate a sardine fluttering in distress, this bait’s inner core creates an eye-catching flash, while the feathered hook adds drag to hold the hook in the most effective position on the fall. A lift and drop action makes the bait fall with a fluttering action similar to a struggling baitfish, while snapping the rod tip makes it dart and dash.
Mustad Big Eye Bucktail Jig — Made with premium dyed deer hair and Crystal Flash, this lure relies on the flaring skirt and oversized 3-D Eyes eye to emulate a sardine dashing for safety. Designed with a precision-molded, hydrodynamic head that includes two line ties for vertical jigging or casting presentations, the Big Eye Bucktail Jig is a good choice for piers, jetties, or beach casting. A durable epoxy finish protects the head around rocky environment, while the wire bait keeper holds natural baits or artificial trailers in place.
Whichever sardine imitator you choose, consider that bait schools attract multiple predators. Not every bite yields a catch, but if you miss a shot, or if a fish shakes loose, fire right back to the point of attack because there’s probably another hungry fish ready to bite.