The Best Lures for False Albacore

The Best Lures for False Albacore

sean Fields |

False albacore are known for their explosive surface blitzes and lightning-fast runs—making them an exciting and challenging gamefish for Cape Cod anglers to fish for in late Summer/ Early Fall.

Choosing the right lure can make all the difference between a banner day and a strike out. Here's your guide to the best lure types and tactics to get on the scoreboard.

1. Epoxy Casting Jigs: The Gold Standard

Epoxy or resin-coated casting jigs—slender, sand eel-shaped, and highly reflective—are widely considered the top choice for albies. They cast far, swim just below the surface, and mimic baitfish with lifelike wobble. Favored options include:

  • Mighty Fish Epoxy Jigs  with colors like silverside for realism or bright attractor type colors to draw reaction strikes

  • DADDY MAC ALBIE/BONITO JIG, They cast like a dream and swim lifelike in the water. Center weighted (flutter) Lifelike gills Through wired VMC 4x treble hooks Epoxy coated Red 3d eyes Reflective finish

Why they work: Albies typically feed on baitfish such as silversides, peanut bunker, or sand eels. Epoxy jigs effectively imitate these while offering casting distance and good action on fast retrieves

2. Metal Casting Lures: Classic and Durable

Metal lures remain reliable—especially when casting into wind or want durability:

  • Deadly Dicks are classic long-casting spoons.

  •  excel when longer casts are essential, with compact build and realistic looks

During blitzes, rapidly skipping these metals across the water surface can trigger explosive strikes

3. Soft Plastics: Subtlety for Picky Fish

When albies become finicky—ignoring flashy jigs—soft plastics often out-fish them:

These manage a slower, lifelike action to entice reluctant albies, though their lighter weight requires more casting effort

4. Topwater Plugs & Needlefish: For Surface Strikes

Nothing matches the thrill of albies smashing a topwater plug:

These are especially effective during explosive surface feeding—or when fish are scattered.

5. Fly Patterns: Fly-Fishing for Albies

For fly anglers, certain patterns shine among the chaos:

  • Traditional flies like Surf Candy, Gummy Minnow, and Clouser Minnow remain time-tested performers

Use floating or intermediate lines for surface action; switch to sinking heads or full sink when fish won’t come up

Goose Customers say:

“Thin metals and Mighty Fish epoxy jigs... They tend to like slim, shiny, fast-moving plugs. The faster, the better… MF Epoxy Jigs and Deadly Dicks spoons.” “Use fast retrieve bright colored MF epoxy jigs… reel fast. If they won't hit, Switch it up and crank your lure on the surface.”

Another adds:

"reel as fast as possible.”

Quick Comparison Table

Lure Type

Best Conditions

Pros

Cons





Epoxy Casting Jigs

General, mixed conditions

Casts far, lifelike action

Pricier





Metal Casting Lures

Windy zones or long casts

Durable, aerodynamic

Sink quickly; less subtle





Soft Plastics

Finicky fish, calm water

Natural, varied retrieves

Harder to cast; light presentation





Topwater Plugs

Explosive surface blitzes

Visually thrilling strikes

Limited to specific scenarios





Fly Patterns

Fly anglers, sight casting

Precise imitation

Requires fly casting skills





To maximize your false albacore success:

  • Start with epoxy jigs, especially Mighty Fish models, for their blend of casting ability and realism.

  • Have metals on hand for tough conditions or long-distance needs.

  • Bring soft plastics when fish get finicky—keep presentations slow and lifelike.

  • Topwaters deliver adrenalin pumping action, but prepare for lightning-fast hits.

  • Fly anglers, lean on white, bait-mimicking flies like the Surf Candy

Matching bait size, color, and behavior remains a game-changer. Be ready to pivot—speed and subtlety win the day. Tight lines!

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