# Gotcha lures? Alternatives?



## aroundthehorn (Aug 29, 2010)

I've been thinking about this for a while, because a couple of people on my boat almost brained themselves and others while fishing inshore and near offshore. Posting it here because it's kind of a general lure(?).

What kind of safer alternatives are there to Gotchas? I'm looking for something that people could cast to Spanish, Dolphin if we come across them, etc. Basically looking for something that won't explode close to the boat like a Gotcha when a hookup is lost, if that makes sense. I've taken a jig in my eye before and it was not very pleasant; I started considering this while I was reorganizing my tackle over the weekend for the upcoming fishing season. I found that I had--for some reason unknown to me--overbought Gotchas.

As always, TIA and peace.


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## jigslinger (Sep 30, 2007)

Jigs are what I use.


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## JoshH (Sep 28, 2007)

pomp jigs with mylar are your best bet.

also you could cut the hooks off the gotcha and put a single 5/0ish J hook off the back with some wire leader. might even run an extra hook behind it. Id rather take a single J hook out of my arm then a treble hook


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## WW2 (Sep 28, 2007)

Bubble rig. 

1. They are fun as all get out to fish with. 
2. They will catch everything you stated very well.
3. If you do get overzealous or a release at the boat you usually only get brained with the bubble the hook itself doesn't usually cause a problem because it doesn't have a lot of weight in an of itself so it usualyl just bounces off if it does hit something.
4. You can cast them a country mile so if you get a fish that is skittish you can try from waaay off.

Scroll down here if you are not sure what I am talking about.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=175976


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## SHunter (Jun 19, 2009)

JoshH said:


> pomp jigs with mylar are your best bet.
> 
> also you could cut the hooks off the gotcha and put a single 5/0ish J hook off the back with some wire leader. might even run an extra hook behind it. Id rather take a single J hook out of my arm then a treble hook


Ditto. I took a treble hook out of a guy's shoulder once and it made me sick at my stomach having to do it.


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## Charlie2 (Oct 2, 2007)

*Hookless Lures*

If hooks are that much of a problem, why not remove the hooks from all your lures. That way; you will be completely safe. JMHO C2


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## bigbulls (Mar 12, 2008)

> Basically looking for something that won't explode close to the boat like a Gotcha when a hookup is lost, if that makes sense.


If the lure comes out of the mouth of the fish right at the boat how is it going to make any difference what lure it is as to whether or not you get hooked in the face? A mylar jig in the face is going to hurt just as bad as a gotcha jig in the face.


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## compulsivehp (May 18, 2010)

bigbulls said:


> If the lure comes out of the mouth of the fish right at the boat how is it going to make any difference what lure it is as to whether or not you get hooked in the face? A mylar jig in the face is going to hurt just as bad as a gotcha jig in the face.


I agree. My wife got a pompano jig to the forehead one day. Busted her open pretty good and gave her a slight concussion. We had kids on the boat as the same time and the I was throwing the jig instead of a gothcha on purpose.


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## aroundthehorn (Aug 29, 2010)

bigbulls said:


> If the lure comes out of the mouth of the fish right at the boat how is it going to make any difference what lure it is as to whether or not you get hooked in the face? A mylar jig in the face is going to hurt just as bad as a gotcha jig in the face.


Sorry...thought I was pretty clear about asking for alternatives?


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## Fishermon (Oct 19, 2007)

you can use a clark spoon (diamond shaped) as an alternative...only one hook to worry about...:thumbsup:


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## Razzorduck (Oct 22, 2007)

Bend down the barbs!!! Keep a tight line and you wont lose many at all. Well worth it!


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## bigbulls (Mar 12, 2008)

aroundthehorn said:


> Sorry...thought I was pretty clear about asking for alternatives?





> What kind of safer alternatives are there to Gotchas?


I wasn't asking to be a jerk. I mention it because there really aren't any safer alternatives. Any lure can come out of the mouth of a fighting fish at the boat, especially a fish like a spanish the way they spazz out. It really doesn't matter which one you use. I've seen just as many other jigs beam people in the head as I have gotcha's....... pomp jigs, bubble rigs, mylar jigs, rattle traps, diamond jigs, etc.... Gotcha's just get the bad rap cause that's what every one uses so it happens more often just because of the numbers of them out there being used for spanish.

I think it has a lot more to do with how the spanish swipe at the lure and their skinny mouths than the lure itself. That and the fast paced jerking of the lure through the water. Getting a hook deep in the mouth where it won't come out is pretty hard to do.


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## dabutcher (Apr 19, 2008)

Razzorduck said:


> Bend down the barbs!!! Keep a tight line and you wont lose many at all. Well worth it!


 
I agree. Whenever I am in big schools of fish such as spanish or bull reds I like to use barbless hooks. The missing barbs result in quick and safe releases. The barbless hook won't keep the bait from hitting you if it pulls loose while fighting a fish, but if the hook buries an inch into your flesh the removal will be fairly painless.


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## aroundthehorn (Aug 29, 2010)

bigbulls said:


> I wasn't asking to be a jerk. I mention it because there really aren't any safer alternatives. Any lure can come out of the mouth of a fighting fish at the boat, especially a fish like a spanish the way they spazz out. It really doesn't matter which one you use. I've seen just as many other jigs beam people in the head as I have gotcha's....... pomp jigs, bubble rigs, mylar jigs, rattle traps, diamond jigs, etc.... Gotcha's just get the bad rap cause that's what every one uses so it happens more often just because of the numbers of them out there being used for spanish.
> 
> I think it has a lot more to do with how the spanish swipe at the lure and their skinny mouths than the lure itself. That and the fast paced jerking of the lure through the water. Getting a hook deep in the mouth where it won't come out is pretty hard to do.


I know; didn't mean to insinuate that you were trying to be a jerk. Thanks for the response. 

My chief concern with Gotchas now is not only the treble hooks, but the weight. I had a lot of good luck with hook ups on big Spanish until this summer when a couple of people almost lost their heads and/or teeth. Rod bowed over, then pop and zing and clunk. I might start trying spoons like Clark spoons or squid spoons.


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## Duke S (Nov 26, 2011)

small Hopkins, Kastmaster, Tony spoons, lots of variations on silver metal that are good, cast well, and are easy to change to single barbless hook.


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## Charlie2 (Oct 2, 2007)

*Gotcha Alternatives*

Listen to some good alternative lures presented here and start using them. Quit complaining. JMHO C2


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## aroundthehorn (Aug 29, 2010)

Charlie2 said:


> Listen to some good alternative lures presented here and start using them. Quit complaining. JMHO C2


OK....


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## oxbeast1210 (Jun 21, 2010)

Seemed like a legit question to me . Did I miss something?.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy S2 SKYROCKET using Forum Runner


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## jaksprat (Jul 2, 2009)

I think a new, bigger boat is the cure-all for this situation. A bigger boat would put more distance between you and the fish that got off. It would provide for more distance for the gotcha to decelerate before hitting you.

That's it... You need a new, bigger boat!


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## Chris V (Oct 18, 2007)

Pomp jigs as well especially on Dolphin.


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## captken (Feb 24, 2008)

*Who is afraid of a little hook?*

Me by dang! The last year I chartered, I got hooked 11 times. Granted, most were Sabikis but several 7/0 3407 Mustads on king rigs. That was my worst year ever in # of hookings.

Remember the line in the movie "Porky's?" "She's seen so many she is almost a doctor?" Well, I've removed enough hooks to darn near qualify.

Straw rigs are a hoot to use but they swing pretty bad, making casting them in a crowd a little problematic. I'd definitely vote for the PJ too. 


As much as I love the Clark Spoon, they sure twist a bunch. Tiny dusters have always worked for me for Spanish, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Runners, Jacks, Dolphin and Bonitas.

Yeah, flatten the barbs. Safer for you and the fish you release. Usually I catch way more Mackerel than I'e ever want to keep.

Watch your rod angle when you get a fish close. A tightly bent rod is just like a drawn bow. The lure is the arrow. If you hold the rod off to the side, the lure will heit somebody else and not you. (Tongue in cheek) Honestly, pay attention to the possible trajectory.


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## Seachaser 186 (Apr 9, 2009)

I use a clark spoon that is tied "Carolina Rig" style. You have a leader 24" to 36" that the spoon is tied to and on the other end a small black swivel. On the main line have an egg weight-usually about 1 oz. The weight gives casting distance while keeping the light weight clark spoon in the water. When the spanish hits, the weight keeps enough pressure on the hook that they rarely shake it out. You still have the casting issue like a bubble rig in a crowded boat but it's very rare to have one of these flying back in your face. It also works great for trolling. The spoon has a single hook which is much easier to remove than a treble.


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## LP (Jan 29, 2008)

Take some pliers and clip off that first hook. Better action and much safer. :thumbup:


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## Razzorduck (Oct 22, 2007)

Try the Tony Aceta "Pet Spoon". I have found they twist less (I still use a micro Spro swivel) and I seem to get more hits on them. Spanish, runners and ladyfish love 'em. On lite tackle I can cast them just fine from my kayak. I also will use a worm weight ahead of the swivel if I'm trolling or need the weight for casting


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## timeflies (Oct 3, 2007)

Small diamond jig with the single j hooks are good. can chuck em too. Pomp jigs are my go to every thing bait like most mentioned. As for gotchas......you guys know you can make those things with stuff you probably already have around the house right? With as few or as many hooks as you want.

And payday loans suck.


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## Charlie2 (Oct 2, 2007)

*Gotchas*



timeflies said:


> Small diamond jig with the single j hooks are good. can chuck em too. Pomp jigs are my go to every thing bait like most mentioned. As for gotchas......you guys know you can make those things with stuff you probably already have around the house right? With as few or as many hooks as you want.
> 
> And payday loans suck.


Many moons ago, we used a lure made with a chicken or turkey wing bone with a single hook at the rear(Capt Ken's Straw Rig). They were hollow and naturally curved.

We ate a lot of chicken and would save the bones and bleach them in the sun where the ants would clean out the insides and the dogs couldn't get to them. They worked because there wasn't a commercial version available. Plus we didn't have the money! 

A similar lure can be fashioned from the barrel of a BIC pen. JMHO C2


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## Flguy32514 (Sep 16, 2012)

Wirelessly posted

another suggestion is watch everyone's habits that your fishing with, it may be very simple habits that they have that could be corrected to save a lot of headache, especially with Spanish I try to stand where I'm holding my rod almost parallel to the boat, to avoid the lure flying at me


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## captken (Feb 24, 2008)

*The bubble rig is a great alternative because---*

The bubble is the weight. The straw has little weight and won't hit as hard to set the hook. 

Of course, when the fish are deep, the Gotcha works great. Jigs are an alternative or you can use a DIY "Gotcha" with a single hook.

http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/f26/home-made-gotchas-fishing-tip-17670/


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## SHO-NUFF (May 30, 2011)

LP said:


> Take some pliers and clip off that first hook. Better action and much safer. :thumbup:


 This.

They don't call em "Gotchas" for nothing!:thumbup:


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## Charlie2 (Oct 2, 2007)

*Gotcha Thread*



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This is a 'Gotcha' Thread?? Just curious.  C2


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## aroundthehorn (Aug 29, 2010)

Who cares, still a great thread.


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