Spade-fish are one of the most beautiful and easiest to catch fish in the sea. They are also known as Garp Northern puffer, pinnate spade-fish, and winged puffer. If you’re lucky enough to find them while fishing, they may seem like a challenge but trust us, it’s easier than it looks. Follow these simple steps to catch spade-fish easily. Spade-fish are not an easy catch by all means. Their shape, color, and their ability to hide in weeds make them difficult to detect. However, once you know where they tend to live and what bait is best for them, catching one won't be so difficult. Here are a few tricks we use when targeting spade-fish that might come in handy if you ever get the chance to catch one again.
Where to find Spade-fish?
Spade-fish are not common in every sea but you can find them in many places in the world. They are mostly found around the Carolina coast, the Florida coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re lucky enough to see spade-fish in your area, you can target them. You can also find them in the shallow waters, around coral reefs, Spade-fish are mostly found in saltwater. If you’re fishing in fresh water, they might not be the best bait choice. If you’re fishing in saltwater, they are perfect bait choices because they are often found in those shallow waters.
How to Catch Spade-fish?
Spade-fish are said to be one of the easiest fish to catch. You can catch them with a cast net and fishing rod. Spade-fish are often found near coral reefs and mangrove areas. Therefore, you can find them in shallow waters. They are also often caught in canals, lagoons, and rivers. You can find spadefish anywhere during the year but they are more common during the fall and spring.
Tips for hooking and landing
As we mentioned before, spade-fish are not easy to catch. They have thick skin and strong scales, which will make it very difficult to hook them. There are a few tricks you can use to get the hook in their mouth. - Make the Hook Slippery: Make the hook slippery with a thin layer of some kind of grease (like coconut oil or vaseline). It will make it easier to slide through the scales, which are naturally hard to penetrate. - Hook them Through the Throat: While most people think that the best way to catch a fish is to hook them in the mouth, it’s not the case with spade-fish. You want to hook them through the throat, not the mouth. - Use Short Hooks: Shorten the hook length to avoid getting caught in the spade-fish's thick skin. - Use Light Weights: Lighten the weight of the fishing rod to make it easier to catch the spade-fish. - Cast Net: Cast net is the most effective way of catching spade-fish. - Bait: Use a small piece of squid or fish for bait.
Spade-fish are beautiful creatures that are often seen as pests in some areas. If you’re lucky enough to come across one while fishing, don’t let their reputation scare you away from trying to catch one. Their scales are difficult to penetrate, but if you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to catching a spade-fish. Remember that spade-fish are not common in every sea but you can find them in many places in the world. They are mostly found around the Carolina coast, the Florida coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re lucky enough to see spade-fish in your area, you can target them.