Sea Bass strategy

[Walleyed]

I'm heading out tomorrow in the sandy hook vicinity to try to take advantage of the short 15 fish limit. Planning on fishing in the area of the SHR and the shrewsbury rocks. Got my high-low rigs already tied up, got my gulp and will be picking up squid on the way down.

As this is the first time I'm actually targeting sea bass as opposed to catching them accidentally, any suggestions that might improve my catch?

Thanks,

Jim

[Dclark2]

Fresh clams and red beads ...

[MVP]

fresh clam is the ticket

[bulletbob]

Fresh clams yes, IF you can find them.. Many places only carry frozen this time of year.. I have good luck using squid heads actually,, They seem to like it better than strips.
It isn't well known but large live killies are an excellent sea bass bait, as are big spearing, whole smelt, peanut bunker, sand eels etc etc.. If you catch any bergalls they are good strip baits for sea bass as well.

Sea bass will eat anything, but over the years , I have cleaned thousands of them, and they always have fish in them, not crabs, clams etc..

I personally think they eat small fish more than anything else, but clam globs work great, so thats what is used.. I would get the squid, some fresh clams if you can find them, and some kind of FRESH as possible bait fish... They like Gulp pretty well too! bob

[shrimpman steve]

I think Pete has fresh clams

[MohawkJD]

If you can find it, Goby Magic. It's a fresh water Gulp. I caught 4 & 5 lb sea bass while drifting for fluke this year.

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/Gulp!%C2%AE-Goby/1285372,default,pd.html#q=goby&start=1

[NJ Dave]

Scrap the squid go with clams fresh or salted. Small strips and stick em on the hook as many times as possible all tue way up to the shank.
sea bass are quick bait stealers.

[Gerry Zagorski]

These fish are fairly aggressive bait chasers so you don't have to anchor. If you plan on anchoring in the sticky stuff bring a wreck anchor or you might risk loosing your regular anchor. You can drift if the wind and current aren't too bad.

We were drifting the Shrewsbury Rocks area for Stripers a few years ago and while we were drifting live Bunker, my buddy was bouncing an A27 just off the bottom and the Sea Bass were whacking it like it was their last meal.

Have fun.

[Walleyed]

Thanks everyone for the input, looks like clams are on the menu.

I'm planning on drifting, as I don't have a wreck anchor and not willing to part with my delta.

I'll report tomorrow after I get back.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Sounds like a good plan.... Just remember if you are drifting in the sticky stuff and don't want to loose too many rigs, reel up a few cranks off the bottom. These fish are fairly aggressive and they will come up for it.

[Bob T.]

When you get in a pocket of real aggressive shorts hugging the bottom, you have to reel up a few cranks to catch keepers, i will usually drop down and bring it up about 12-15 feet and wait ( and hold on), the big boys roam the edges and the top of the crowd. Red beads and sharp hooks for sure, gonna try jigs tomorrow.