As a guide and recreational angler, Captain Pete has fished extensively across North America, targeting species from Florida to Alaska. His expertise spans both fresh and saltwater environments, but he is particularly renowned for his skill in vertical jigging—a technique he helped popularize in the Pacific Northwest during the late 1970s.
Pete’s innovative approach to jigging revolutionized salmon and trout fishing. He emphasized the importance of precise presentation and staying directly over schools of fish while using metal jigs like the Crippled Herring or Sonic BaitFish. This method allowed anglers to trigger strikes from fish that might otherwise ignore traditional trolling or casting techniques.
Pete's methodical approach to fishing encourages understanding fish behavior and adapting presentations to match conditions. Over the decades, Pete has helped thousands of people learn to catch more fish through his tips and sage advice.
Captain Pete Rosko is one of five Honored Anglers who have made significant contributions to Mack's Lure. Honored Angler | Pete Rosko
Captain Pete Rosko’s contributions to fishing extend far beyond his iconic lures. He has inspired generations of anglers with his innovative designs and practical advice.His work continues to influence modern tackle design and fishing techniques, ensuring his legacy as one of sport fishing’s most influential figures.
Pete emphasizes using the lightest jig that can maintain a vertical line and reach the desired depth. Lighter jigs create more lifelike action with less effort, making them particularly effective for mimicking baitfish. He advises that lighter jigs are ideal in calm water or when targeting fish closer to the surface, while heavier jigs are better for deeper water or strong currents.
According to Pete, a jig must always be moving to appear alive to fish. Whether you’re vertically jigging or casting and retrieving, imparting life-like motion through lifts and drops is critical. He stresses that fishing is not a spectator sport—if the jig isn’t moving, it won’t attract fish.
Pete provides specific guidance on how to attach and use his Sonic BaitFish lure based on water conditions:
This versatility allows anglers to adapt their technique to changing conditions, ensuring the lure remains effective.
Pete emphasizes the importance of maintaining sharp hook points to maximize hookups. He recommends using siwash hooks with deep throats and wide bends for better penetration and holding power. Ensuring hooks are razor-sharp is one of his top tips for landing more fish.
Pete’s mantra is simple: “Find the bait (or the birds) and find the fish.” He advises anglers to locate bait balls or areas with visible bird activity, as these often indicate where predatory fish like salmon or pinks are feeding.
When fishing rocky or snaggy areas, Pete recommends using small, natural-looking metal jigs like “Micro” Sonic BaitFish (1/16–1/10 oz) with a vertical rod position during retrieves. This minimizes snags while maintaining a natural presentation. Read his article: Small Lures Catch Big Fish.
For deeper water fishing, Pete suggests using a countdown method with horizontal jigging techniques. By counting down after casting, you can ensure your lure reaches the desired depth before beginning your retrieve, keeping it in the strike zone longer.
Pete highlights horizontal jigging as an effective technique when fish are scattered or suspended in mid-water columns. Casting across the water, letting the jig sink several feet, and retrieving with lifts and drops creates an erratic action that triggers strikes from predatory fish.
Pete advises selecting jig colors based on water clarity and light levels:
When fishing near kelp beds, Pete recommends staying along the edges and targeting depths of 10–40 feet. These areas often hold baitfish and predatory species like salmon. Using lightweight jigs like a 1/6-ounce Sonic BaitFish allows for precise presentations without snagging vegetation.
These tips reflect Pete Rosko’s philosophy of adapting techniques and gear to match environmental conditions and fish behavior. His innovative approach has helped countless anglers improve their success on the water.
Today, Pete remains passionate about fishing and innovation. Whether through his lures or his teachings, Captain Pete Rosko has left an indelible mark on the angling community—a legacy built on creativity, dedication, and an unwavering love for the sport.
To read more tips by Pete Rosko, check out this page featuring a few of his contributions to the Mack Attack over the years.
By Captain Pete Rosko Every story has a beginning and an end. I hope this story is the exception and never has an end, but just keeps evolving. The title of “all roads” tells the story of how the creation...
By Capt. Pete Rosko The Pacific Northwest fishing for coho salmon, and kokanee, doesn't get any better than in the fall. It gets even better when fishing with the Sonic BaitFish (SBF). This includes flatline trolling glow chartreuse 1/2 to...
By Pete RoskoIn 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...
