PHOTO: If you want big fish, you have to go the extra mile and put in the extra time. Cole Chavira is 11 -years-old, but consistenly nails big fish here in La Paz.
SWINGING FOR THE FENCHES
Originally published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Aug. 11, 2009
To use sports parlance, “swinging for the fence” means taking the big swing for the home run hit…going for the big one…the game winner. Forget the little dinks to the infield. You may strike out more taking the big swing, but then when you pop it into the bleachers, you’re the hero.
It works that way in fishing. There always seems to be the one or two guys in the group or on the boat who forego filling their sacks or their ice chests with filets just for the sake of filets. They want the jackpot fish. They want bragging rights. Quality over quantity. Anyone can catch 10-pound dinks. They want the big toad.
This is the guy you often see at the bow of the sportfisher tirelessly throwing iron while everyone hoots and hollers in the stern getting bent on smaller fish. This is the guy who looks carefully at every bait or ties on the heavy leader and bigger gear and doesn’t worry that he’s not bit on every drop.
Two rules of thumb:
1. There are fewer bigger fish than smaller fish. They’re the top of the food chain. They’re big for a reason. They’re smarter, stronger, faster. If all fish were big anyone could catch them.
2. Big fish…big bait. Any fish could wrap it’s maw around a 5 inch sardine. It takes a big fish to wrap it choppers around a 5 pound bonito! So use bigger baits and lures!
OK, once you’ve resolved that you probably will NOT catch as many fish as your
partners since you’re going for Big Mo’, you’ll get past Rule #1. Grit your teeth and smile as your friends rib you while they catch all the little guys. Big fish are their own reward!
For Rule #2, again grit your teeth. Create your own luck by putting in some extra time. That means using the larger lures or jigs. It means longer trolling or throwing time and really working hard at it. It means keeping your eyes open for that ONE BIG FISH! Remember, you’re not after quantity…you want quality.
If you’re fishing with live bait or natural baits, again, put in the time. When everyone else is loading on sardines, go catch some mackerel or caballitos (little jacks). If you’re chasing roosterfish, they love the larger ladyfish. Go catch those first. Imagine something that can swallow an 18-inch live bait!
The pargo and bigger snapper like having a smaller barracuda or needlefish (yes, there’s a use for those pesky needlefish) I personally like cutting off one of the tail fins and then making light scores with a sharp knife along the flanks of the bait (for scent and blood). It makes the bait swim erratically.
If it’s larger billfish you’re after, go fish for the small tuna or skipjack/bonito first. Use the small baits to catch the bonito or skippies or, alternatively, drag some small hoochies or bonito feathers off the transom to catch the larger baits. When everyone is peeling out with their anchovies or sardines to the fishing grounds, you’re putting in the extra time to get some of the larger baits. It pays off.
If you’re using dead baits, again, use the larger stuff. Big slabs of bonito or similar fish dropped down deep will entice the grouper, big dog tooth and cabrilla. Belly strips of dorado, bonito, tuna or even squid tacked onto the hook inside your feather or larger lure adds scent and something to bite down on and not let go!
Even if larger dorado are the quarry, large strips of slow-trolled bonito slabs on a swiveled leader will produce fish when other methods come up empty!
You may get lots of swings and misses. But when you connect… run the diamond slowly and pump your fist. Touch all the bases and be the hero!
That’s my story. If you ever need to reach me here in Mexico, I”m at:
That's My Story 
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