Nowadays, it seems that Anjova fishing is only linked to spinning. It is true that it is an effective technique and great beauty, but if we follow some practical advice, we can get many good examples of surfing to surf, a much more fruitful and regular way in terms of captures than the use of artificial lures. .
The Anjova
The Anjova is a fierce predator well known to fishermen who love strong emotions. In the Peninsula we can find it in the whole Mediterranean coast and in the area of the Andalucian strait and Atlantic.
Due perhaps to the increase in the temperature of our seas, we can find it present almost all year round, but it is between the months of May and October when it is most active and close to the shore, actively traveling the coast to feed and spawn.
Currently it is fashionable to fish with big poppers, pencils, walkers… But for fishermen who practice surfcasting is also a very affordable species, which will give us, little to do things right, unforgettable battles.
Possibly because of ignorance, it is not the most sought after species in this modality, but it is a fish that will not hesitate to pounce on well-presented bait.
To obtain the best results, it is advisable to follow basic advice:
A powerful team for fishing from anjova to surfcasting
This is not a fishing of subtleties. Reed and reel should be consistent with the size of this species and its hard fight if we do not want to lose the piece in its first race.
The surfcasting rod
The ideal rod should have an action of 100-200g, discarding the hybrid tip models, by those capable of bending specimens of more than 5 kilos, with a length of 4’20 or 4’50m,
The carbon rods will make us more comfortable fishing and fighting for its lower weight, but any powerful rod will be adequate. The bite of the Anjova is brutal: it is able to bend in a spectacular way cane and during the combat we will need that reserve of power to stop their careers.
The reel
The reel must be robust and powerful, capable of holding about 200 / 300m of nylon of 0’40mm (of a high resistance in kilos, to the abrasion and to the knot), with a brake that works perfectly, since we will have to play with the piece until we have exhausted it. An ideal reel is Okuma’s Axeon.
It goes without saying that in fishing action, the brake should be regulated so that at the time of the dive the fish can take nylon avoiding the breakage of the rig.
Quality Gametas
The presentation of the bait is another very important factor. The anjova is a fish with a denture capable of skewing its prey in half, so imagine what it can do with our basses and gametes.
I recommend the use of steel gametes, which we can even manufacture ourselves in a few minutes. A good steel cable with a diameter of approximately 0.40mm of about 25 kilos of resistance will suffice. With its corresponding rivet tubes, we will mount a meter and a half gametes, armed with a simple 4/0 hook or a good triple hook. They should be perfectly sharp, given the hard mouth of this fish, if we do not want to see how the fish get off the hook after itching. It is a simple, simple and very effective assembly.
The Bait Always Fresh
It is basic to attract the Anjova. Live bait is used in many areas of the coast where this fishing is practiced. A llissa or a jack mackerel moving sinuously is a difficult bit to despise for the Anjova. But it is not always possible to get this bait, apart from the fact that we may not like to use live bait. There are others easier to get and more effective to use in this modality.
Mackerel and sardine are the best options. Available in any market, they are essential baits provided they are fresh. Its aroma, its flavor and its shiny skin will make fall to the most prudent of the Anjovas. Mackerel is more consistent bait and will be ideal where the crabs and the minitalla devour our sardines without mercy. We will avoid its freezing and we will discard the specimens that have been in the fridge for several days.
We will embody them whole, leaving the hook near the tail, since the anjova often bites on that part of the bait.
Choose the Right Fishing Area
This advice will not help if we throw our canes in areas where these carangids do not roam. Although they can appear anywhere and sometimes in the most unexpected places, there are several key points for their location. If we do not have proof of the presence of these fish in our fishing area, the best places to find them are:
Mouths:
Without doubt, the hottest areas. All the mouths, whether large rivers or smaller flows, are rich in minitalla and the Anjovas will not hesitate to hunt llissas, carps, dorados, horse mackerel, espetones, … many times up several kilometers upstream, as it is a species that tolerates brackish waters very well. In these areas they approach in large banks, but it is very common to find large solitary specimens or in pairs.
Beaches:
Whether they are sand or mixed rock, the big banks give passes looking for their prey. It is essential that there are water outlets in the vicinity, either in the form of drainage or drainage channels. The beaches near the entrances to the fishing ports are also very fruitful.
Our goal will be to deposit the bait as far as possible, being necessary on shallow beaches, to enter the water to make the best set.
Fishing Ports:
They are not the most comfortable areas to fish with our surfcasting rods due to the continuous transfer of boats. But the entries of this fish after the arrival of the fishing boats to port are very abundant and if we find the good afternoon, we will have fun for sure. The mouth will be the best place, both on the outside and inside.
Thermal and Nuclear Power Plants:
The classic “jet” the outflow of water to the sea, which these facilities use to cool their reactors, is privileged places throughout the year. It is a pity that fishing is currently prohibited in most of these enclaves. If it is not possible for us to fish at the water outlet, the nearby areas, whether beaches or breakwaters are also very good fishing areas.
Combat the Piece with Patience
Once we have the long-awaited chop, we should not get nervous and the fundamental thing is to work the piece without hurry. If we intend to take an anchor of several kilos without giving it court, we are lost, because either we will end up splitting the thread, or it will be released from the hook in any jump. In addition, not only will we enjoy it more, but if we want to see it inside the salabre, we must tire it and let it run in its powerful races. And when he gives his acrobatic jumps, the appropriate thing is to lower the cane trying not to let the line go.
If we follow all these recommendations, we have many chances to get a good copy, which will not only give us a memorable fight, but also a nice photo with a catch in kilos.
And for the sake of the species and the future of fishing, it is best to return small specimens to the water and those that we will not consume. A responsible capture and release will be well received by the Anjova populations, and we will be able to continue fishing and enjoying their fishing for many years.
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