Sonic Baitfish: Fish Science for Bigger Catch

By Pete Rosko

In the July issue of the Mack Attack, I briefly mentioned pro staffer Mike Hall's impressive three-species catch in Utah's Willard Reservoir while fishing with his son, Thom. They were vertically jigging a 1/10 oz Sonic BaitFish (SBF). It was a memorable day, as they landed channel catfish up to ten pounds, wipers (striped bass hybrids), and walleyes up to seven pounds.

You have most likely heard of Mike and Thom because they have made a name for themselves west of the Rockies as an impressive father-son freshwater fishing and teaching team. Over the years, Mike has featured Sonic BaitFish by fishing it through the ice and in open water. Thom's expertise is primarily in ice fishing.

After he served as a combat Navy medic in Vietnam, Mike returned to Utah. In the following years, Mike has dedicated his efforts toward stewardship of land, fish, and game resources on federal, state, and local levels. Mike's science-based fisheries background is well-known in the tri-state region of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Mike's excellent teaching skills are well-documented on YouTube and as a featured speaker at many fishing and tackle shows. As a Mack's Lure Company pro-staffer, Mike's previous articles are available in the Mack Attack archives.

Viewing a Mike Hall presentation is like attending an advanced college course on freshwater fisheries. Here is one on locating kokanee, trout, and salmon in a body of fresh water.

Mike has twice been nominated to the "Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Museum" in Hayward, Minnesota, which is a great honor. Watch this video tour of the hall of fame where another Mack's Lure fisherman, Stan Faggerstrom holds a title.

Mike and Thom fish with the most advanced Garmin electronic fish finders to document fish behavior and demonstrate how fish react to the Sonic BaitFish lure in live action. They often share their results with me so I can, in turn, make the Sonic BaitFish even better. I have always felt that "you are never too old to keep learning and changing.

I am fortunate to be part of a salmon research team for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  My team and I have the unique opportunity to test fish for salmon in area 6 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  As a result, we have a wide range of lures and techniques for casting, jigging, and trolling. 

All catches on this research vessel are documented, and all fish are returned to the water, usually within one minute. The information compiled by our vessel and other WDFW vessels is fed into a database. Washington State has (13) geographic saltwater fishing areas, listed as areas 1 to 13.  The information from this database is critical for predicting and improving the future of our salmon sport fishery. 

Metal jigs…Last season, six metal jigs were fished on my research vessel, including the Point Wilson Dart and Dungeness Stinger. Only two genuinely versatile lures that caught chinook salmon while casting, jigging, and trolling were identified. They were the pearl white and green glow Crippled Herring and the glow chartreuse Sonic BaitFish!

Note: The ice fishing data compiled by Thom Hall has confirmed our findings on lure versatility. In his study, Thom tested the Sonic BaitFish against heavily promoted jigs by Northland Fishing Tackle in Minnesota. His report states "Despite most of the paint missing from a beaten-up 1/10 oz SBF, that Sonic BaitFish jig out-fished the attractively painted Northland jig by 5 to 1." 

VERY VALUABLE TIPS… In a few of my previous articles, I stated that the ideal hook for Sonic BaitFish quick change is a "self-sleeving double hook." No split ring is needed as the double hook easily slips the nose and tail body wires on and off.  Unlike conventional metal jigs that only attach to the nose, the Sonic BaitFish can be attached to the nose, tail, or top of its back. (Note: Single & treble hooks will be used by Mack's Lure manufacturing until a more reliable double hook source is located.

Quick Hook Changes - In the meantime, there are two compromises for quick hook changes…1) Clip off one of the treble hooks to create a double hook; 2) Rig three Sonic BaitfFish of the same size with the line/snap attached to the nose, tail, and top of the back.  

Ice Fishing Tips - When ice fishing, I recommend adding a fine wire treble hook (if a double hook is unavailable) to the opposite end. With a line/snap attached to the top of the back, I would add a fine wire treble hook to each end.  

Lure Action - A different strike-triggering action results with each change where your snap/line is attached. The more familiar you become with the various actions of your Sonic BaitFish, the more fish you can catch.  I look for clear, calm water at least 5 feet deep to become familiar with my 1/16, 1/10 & 1/6 oz SBF.   Check the action from 1/4 to 1oz Sonic BaitFish in 6 to 10 feet of clear water.  With your lure attached to a handheld rod line, drop it in the water on a loose line to confirm its action. 

Manage Loose Line - However, when fishing, I attempt to minimize any loose line.  Loose line causes missed strikes and poor hook sets.  For smaller Sonic BaitFish, I only use my wrist to vertically jig and jig cast.  For better hook sets and a better feel of the Sonic BaitFish working in structure, fish only with a braided mainline and 1 1/2 to 2 feet of fluorocarbon leader with your wide bend snap attached to the end of the leader.

Jigging Tips - Jig with lightweight 5 ½ to 6 ½ ft rods with good backbone and fast to extra fast action tips for better hook sets. Go as light as possible with your equipment so as not to kill the delicate balance of small Sonic BaitFish.

Downsize Your Lure - Select the smallest Sonic BaitFish to effectively reach your target and still be able to feel what your lure is doing. This is especially true when fish stop eating. Downsizing your lure is the first move to make when the bite dies. Fish will often refuse a large lure when they are not actively feeding but will usually act positively to the appetizing snack of a small lure.

Use a Snap for Better Action - Do not tie the leader directly to the Sonic BaitFish, as this will change the action of the Sonic BaitFish. A loop knot is better, but your wide bend snap (included in the package) is best to maximize the lure's action.  

Trollling Tips - When trolling a Sonic BaitFish lure, attach a small Indiana blade to the backside of the tail hook shank for extra flash, vibration, and harmonics (blade striking the hook's shank). I almost always attach the Indiana attractor blade to the tail split ring with a small duo lock snap, not a snap swivel.

Casting Tips - To eliminate any bow in your line when casting, cast directly down-wind or down-current to your target. A bow in your line will cause missed strikes and lost fish due to poor hooksets. For maximum control in avoiding a bow in my line, I always try to keep my rod tip pointing in the direction where my mainline is headed. It's like sighting a rifle scope to a target. 

Fish Finder Basics - Do not fish blindly.  Locate the fish that you intend to fish for by monitoring your fish finder when boating.

Keep Your Hooks Sharp - Finally, more fish are lost because of a dull hook. Constantly check your hook point for sharpness by sliding it over your thumbnail. If the hook does not dig in, it is dull and must be sharpened!  A new fine-tooth file is best at detecting and removing rough burs in seconds. Let it rust, and the file becomes useless at detecting any roughness, so I advise spraying WD-40 on the file after each outing to prevent any corrosion.

Final Thoughts

In closing, success is directly proportional to knowledge about your tackle, target species, weather conditions, and lure. Even when everything seems to be in your favor, there will be days when an unforeseen weather system will affect your success on the water. 

Fishing can be challenging, especially when fishing in unfamiliar waters. Your electronic fish finder can save the day by finding those fish and not fishing blindly.  If the bite is tough, vertical jig to those fish showing on your fish finder and slow down your presentation. Finesse-jig those fish by twitching to smaller Sonic BaitFish as if you were ice fishing to lethargic wintertime fish. Even dead-sticking them where there is no movement of the rod. If the wind is up, anchor over those fish marks on the screen. 

When salmon fishing off Port Angeles in my 14-footer, I often tie up to the kelp next to back eddies off points and either vertical jig or/and cast to any fish working near the surface. Between all of our previous technique articles in the monthly Issues of the Mack Attack and YouTube videos, you can access the information you need to increase your enjoyment and success on the water with the Sonic BaitFish. 

Remember, the joy of fishing is anticipating the next strike. Until then, be happy and be safe on the water.

Capt. Pete