MRGO action packed trip
- Stanley Fink
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Team Jo-Jo’s MRGO Jerk Bait Journey
📅 Date: February 25, 2025
Crew:
🚤 Captain: Big Ron🎣 First Mate: Big Rudy🛥 Vessel: “Gloria Marie” – Big Ron’s Bass Boat📍 Launch Site: Gulf Outlet Marina
Mission: Silverwonder Pursuit Along the MRGO Reef
With a crisp morning breeze at their backs and the sun peeking over the horizon, Big Ron and Big Rudy set off from Gulf Outlet Marina, their sights set on one of their all-time favorite haunts—the legendary 35+ mile reef of the MRGO.
Their target? The elusive yet tantalizing Silverwonders, known to patrol the rocky edges and ambush unsuspecting baitfish.
As the Gloria Marie carved its way through the still waters of the channel, anticipation ran high. The game plan was simple—work the reef, find the fish, and put the jerk bait technique to the test.
The Action Unfolds
Arriving at their chosen ¼-mile section of the reef, the crew wasted no time. Rods were rigged, reels checked, and jerk baits carefully selected—each one a potential ticket to a drag-screaming encounter.
💥 First Cast—A Test of PatienceBig Ron fired off the first cast, his lure landing just inches from the jagged rocks, a perfect placement. Twitch… twitch… pause… BAM!
The first Silverwonder of the day smashed his bait, peeling off line as it made a beeline for deeper water. A quick fight and a smooth net job later, and the first speckled beauty was in the boat.
From there, it was a dance of precision—casting tight to the structure, letting the bait suspend, and waiting for that unmistakable thump. The Silverwonders were there, lurking, watching, and when the presentation was just right, they couldn't resist.
Meanwhile, Big Rudy worked a slower cadence, varying his retrieve to see what the fish preferred. His patience paid off as he hooked into a stubborn Silverwonder, testing both his rod and his resolve before finally bringing it aboard.
Jerk Bait Success: A Winning Formula
If you’re looking to mimic Team Jo-Jo’s success along the MRGO, here’s the winning formula:
🎯 Bait Type: Jerk baits with a natural baitfish profile🎨 Hot Colors: (see picture with lures)
• Berkley:
o BHBSWCT90S-CLWN
o BHBSWCT90S-PIL
o BHBSWCT90S-MUL
o BHBSWCT90S-PKSV
• Bill Lewis:
o Scope Stick BLF-SS100-SSP6-776 Pro herring 3/8 oz.
o Scope Stick BLF-SS100-SSP6-791 Ayu 3/8 oz.
Scope Stick BLF-SS120-SSP6-791 Ayu 1/2 oz.
• Rapala:
o HJ-10 TSD- Tennessee Shad 3/8 oz.
o HJ-10 BB- Baby Bass 3/8 oz.
o HJ-10 GPCL- Glass Pink Clown 3/8 oz.
o HJ-10 CLN-Clown 3/8 oz. o DHJ10 CLN- Clown 3/8 0z. swimming depth 7-16’ deep dive lure
o DHJ10 PCL- Pink Clown 3/8 0z. swimming depth 7-16’ deep dive lure
o DHJ10 CLN- OGH-Olive Ghost 3/8 0z. swimming depth 7-16’ deep dive lure
✅ 💪 Technique:🎣 Cast tight to the rocks – Keep your lure hugging the structure where the fish are ambushing prey.🎣 Twitch-Twitch-Pause – The key is in the rhythm. The pause is often when the strike happens.🎣 Let it suspend – Give the Silverwonders time to react before twitching again.
Final Thought
With the sun high and the bite slowing, Big Ron and Big Rudy wrapped up another successful MRGO mission, proving once again that jerk baits and rock structure go hand-in-hand when targeting Silverwonders.
💭 Takeaway: If you find yourself at MRGO, do yourself a favor—tie on a jerk bait, work the rocks, and get ready for some heart-racing action.
🚀 Until the next adventure…
🎣 Tight lines & good fishing!Team Jo-Jo & Oneofthepack
Check out there video of trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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