How to Fish With Artificial Bait at Sea?

Fishing with artificial bait is an art. It's far more than simply casting the bait and hoping for a bite. It's about reading the sea and understanding fish behavior. This guide will show you how to choose the best lures and perfect your casting technique.

You're out on the water. You cast your lure. And then... nothing. Just silence. Each cast is a conversation with the sea, where success depends on a deep understanding of how fish move, react, and attack.

Here's the truth nobody tells you: it's not luck. It's technique. Choosing the right fishing bait, casting with precision, and adapting to water conditions are the pillars of successful sea fishing.

If you want to turn every outing into a fishing legend, this guide is for you. From perfecting your casting technique to advanced lure fishing methods that even experienced anglers don't fully master, get ready to maximize every single cast.

1. How to Cast With Precision and Fluidity

The Big Myth: "More Force Equals Better Results"

Casting can seem straightforward, but there's genuine science behind every movement. The secret isn't raw power, it's fluidity. Think about it: when a professional casts, they rarely look like they're straining. There's harmony. Natural rhythm. Like a well-rehearsed dance between you and the sea.

1. Relaxed Posture and Body Control

Here's what works: relaxed shoulders, feet slightly apart, calm presence. When you're tense, your body stiffens and you waste valuable energy. A relaxed body transmits fluidity and control, the foundation of successful bait fishing.

2. The Wrist Is Where the Magic Begins

The secret isn't in brute force, it's in your wrist movement. That's where smooth, natural acceleration originates. Your movement should be fluid, progressive, and elegant, never abrupt or jerky.

3. The Right Rod for Your Style

Here's the consensus among fishing with lures enthusiasts: rods between 2.40 and 3.30 meters offer the perfect balance between casting distance and comfort, allowing you to cast far without losing control. But here's the crucial detail: experiment and adapt. The best rod is the one that feels right for your body and style.

4. Small Details That Transform Everything

Before every cast, dedicate a few moments to checking:

• Is your reel properly adjusted? An improperly set reel causes frustrating backlashes that affect casting accuracy and distance.
• Is your drag calibrated correctly? This detail deserves more attention than you might think. A poorly adjusted drag is like driving a car with unreliable brakes. Proper calibration guarantees smooth casts, complete control, and prevents unnecessary line breaks.
• Is your lure compatible with your equipment? This validation is what separates professional casts from amateur attempts. A lure that's too light on a stiff rod loses efficiency and precision. A lure that's too heavy on a light rod creates excessive tension and can damage your gear. The balance between both is what transforms an ordinary cast into a masterful one.

Pro Tip: Invest five minutes in this preparation. It can transform your entire fishing session.

2. The Right Lure for Every Situation

Not every lure works for every scenario. The sea changes, fish behavior varies, and your strategy should too. Picking the right bait distinguishes a great fishing day from a frustrating one.

Surface Lures

Perfect for calm seas and bright sunlight – situations where the water looks like a mirror. These conditions are when fish are more active, and visible surface movements trigger instinctive predatory responses.

It's important to note that on rough, agitated seas, the effectiveness of these lures decreases significantly. Under these conditions, movement becomes difficult for fish to interpret, reducing attack opportunities.

As the name suggests, these lures aren't suitable for deeper waters either.

Vinyl Lures

Here's a well-kept secret among consistently successful anglers: vinyl lures work in practically any scenario. These lures can be worked near the bottom or at mid-depth levels, giving you incredible flexibility.

Plus, you can adjust head weight and retrieve speed, factors that are crucial for adapting movement to fish behavior.

You might be wondering: "Why don't more anglers use vinyl lures?" The answer is simple: they require sensitivity and adaptation. Fishing with artificial bait using vinyl lures isn't just casting and retrieving mechanically, it's feeling the movement and reading the sea.

Pro tip: on cold days when fish are lethargic, slow your retrieve and let the lure work slowly. In warm waters with aggressive fish, accelerate your rhythm to simulate prey in flight.

Minnows and Crankbaits

Here's a fascinating detail about lure engineering that many overlook: the larger a crankbait's lip, the deeper it dives during retrieval. The reason is simple: the lip functions like an underwater wing. A larger surface generates greater water resistance, creating the pressure needed to drive the lure to greater depths.

Because of these characteristics, these lures are perfect when fish aren't feeding at the surface. The main advantage of crankbaits is that they work almost by themselves. Simply cast and let the lure do its job. They require less technical intervention but offer remarkable effectiveness in medium-depth waters.

Metal Jigs

Now we enter the realm of deep sea fishing. This lure is the essential instrument when you're exploring depths that other lures can't reach. Metal jigs descend rapidly through the water column and maintain dynamic movement even under strong currents, exploring zones where larger fish hide.

Keep in mind that these lures require deeper technical knowledge and a faster cadence. But the return can be a true reward!

The key is not to concentrate all your efforts on a single lure type. The key is to adopt a layered approach, systematically exploring different water depths.

3. How to Bring Your Lure to Life

The movement of your lure determines its effectiveness. A lure that isn't convincing is simply ignored by fish. Proper movement must imitate the behavior of real prey; this is where fishing with a lure transitions from mere casting to genuine art.

Adapt to Water Conditions

Warm, Clear Water

In these waters, fish are typically more active. Consider these factors:

• Retrieve speed: fast, approximately 1.5 to 2 complete rotations per second;
• Pattern: continuous movement with few pauses;
• Strategy: fish are predisposed to attack, so present your lure with confidence.

Cold, Rough Water

Challenging conditions attract lethargic fish. Consider these tactics:

• Retrieve speed: slow, 0.5 to 1 rotation per second;
• Pattern: slow movement with minimal pauses;
• Strategy: imitate an injured or struggling prey.

Observe the sea, feel the weight of your line, and adjust your rhythm. The rod tip should guide movement with naturalness. Ultimately, everything comes down to finding the balance between rhythm and realism. That's where the magic happens.

4. Safe and Efficient Rigging

A forgotten detail can ruin a good fishing outing. The right equipment makes all the difference, and you should start with the basics. A well-executed rig has a direct impact on performance and safety. Each component should be carefully selected and calibrated to ensure optimal performance.

The fluorocarbon leader is almost mandatory. It resists abrasion and is practically invisible in water, increasing the likelihood of successful strikes. Beyond this, its sensitivity allows better interpretation of movement.

The Palomar knot is ideal for small or surface lures. This knot maintains the lure's natural movement, increasing successful strike rates compared to alternatives. To tie this knot:

1. Double the line;
2. Form a simple knot without fully tightening;
3. Pass the lure through the loop;
4. Tighten with precision.

5. What If Your Lure Gets Stuck? How to Free It

Sooner or later, this will happen to you: your lure will get snagged. When you find yourself in this situation, avoid pulling hard to prevent damaging or losing your lure. Follow this step-by-step approach:

1. Reduce line pressure. Ease the tension slightly by backing off the drag.
2. Make small movements with the rod, combining them with the current. Most snags release during this phase. Gentle, directional pressure often does the trick.
3. If your lure remains stuck, apply tension with the rod held horizontally. This approach distributes force evenly, reducing the risk of line breakage.

After all, each lure recovered is time, money, and experience gained.

The difference between casting and great fishing is intention. Reading the sea, choosing the right lure, and adapting your movement turn each outing into an unforgettable experience.

At Casa Favais, you'll find an exclusive selection of lures, vinyl baits, surface lures, and metal jigs for deep sea fishing, thoughtfully designed for anglers who want to evolve, challenge themselves, and feel genuine excitement with every catch.

Explore our lure collection and take your casts to the next level. After all, fishing is an art that's constantly perfected.