What Bait Is Used to Catch Dolphin Fish?

Dolphin are a highly sought after fish. They offer thrilling jumps and hard charging runs when hooked. Best of all though, dolphin provide some of the best tasting fillets in the sea. When making the long run out to dolphin waters, it pays to make sure you have some live bait. A big bull that may balk at an artificial lure will often strike a lively bait that is presented in front of him. If you get surrounded by schoolies and have no bait, get at least one dolphin in the boat and cut him up for bait. Dolphin fishing can be fast and furious, so always make sure you are prepared.

Things You'll Need

  • Various Species of Baitfish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Troll with ballyhoo, which ranks as a top dolphin bait. Trolling with ballyhoo, either live or dead, skirted or unskirted, is very effective when trolling along weed lines or past floating objects. Ballyhoo can be caught with your cast net, or you can purchase ballyhoo that are already rigged and ready to be tied to your fishing line.

    • 2

      Use squid, which works well as a trolling bait. Like ballyhoo, you can rig squid with skirts to help spice up your presentation. Troll along weed lines to find the dolphin.

    • 3

      Pitch live bait fish when dolphin are sighted under the boat, or if you suspect dolphin may be underneath. Pinfish, whitebait – any live baitfish should work.

    • 4

      Use cut bait; when dolphin are spotted around the boat, they will often hit cut bait. Squid, ballyhoo, or just plain fish parts will work well. Pitching cut bait to schoolies can be just as effective as pitching live bait.