Rigs for Offshore Sea Bass

[Mags2013]

First offshore seabass trip for me next month. Should rigs be tied any different than for inshore seabass fishing? I use a pretty standard hi-lo rig for the inshore trips and wondering if it's any different offshore?

[PaulNreel]

Same hi lo but you might consider a 3rd higher larger hook for cod. Currents are stronger :eek: 16oz sinkers are a good idea.

[tuna john]

First offshore seabass trip for me next month. Should rigs be tied any different than for inshore seabass fishing? I use a pretty standard hi-lo rig for the inshore trips and wondering if it's any different offshore?

i have been using bigger hooks 5/0 -6/0 getting better results
just my .02

[Rocky]

i have been using bigger hooks 5/0 -6/0 getting better results
just my .02

Keeper sea bass have big mouths and like big bait. I shake my head in disbelief when I see rigs tied with little hooks. :eek:

[tautog]

I use 2/0 and 3/0s. No need for bigger and you get more jumbo porgies. Never had a problem hooking them or have a hook break.

[Rocky]

I use 2/0 and 3/0s. No need for bigger and you get more jumbo porgies. Never had a problem hooking them or have a hook break.

I also agree with you about smaller hooks now. You can put a nice mixed bag together, but the original poster was asking about a month from now.

[AndyS]

BIG WATER, BIG RIGS. 8/0 baitholder hooks at least 3 ft apart. The c bass offshore are 6 and 7 lbs, the Pollock are 30 and 40 lbs., and some of the Cod push 50 lbs, why go smaller ? Big hooks, big baits, big fish, start with at least 20 oz.

[Jay]

Just go with 5/0 bait holders or octopus hooks. My preference is the grand banks knot. Snell the hook, hi and lo. Follow the steps on the picture. Should be golden. Good luck! Catch em up!

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/nenejav35/GrandBanksKnot.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/nenejav35/media/GrandBanksKnot.jpg.html)

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/nenejav35/206cb6674bfe05ae8f2bc21e37fb7faf_zpsbdfaddb1.jpg (http://s99.photobucke1ZA6V0080311049252t.com/user/nenejav35/media/206cb6674bfe05ae8f2bc21e37fb7faf_zpsbdfaddb1.jpg.h tml)

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/nenejav35/84e6bc9bbc199ec0a4d3660867bfd65c_zps00d2d34a.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/nenejav35/media/84e6bc9bbc199ec0a4d3660867bfd65c_zps00d2d34a.jpg.h tml)

[tautog]

I am talking about Dec thru Feb. There are loads of 14"-20" porgies on those wrecks. As for big cod and pollack they are not very common on sea bass wrecks. Certain northeast wrecks have them in fair numbers but most cod on these trips are under 12lbs. I have caught fish that size on number 2 hooks with no problems. The only time I would use 5/0s and when fishing commerically to keep porgies off the hooks.

[John D.]

BIG WATER, BIG RIGS. 8/0 baitholder hooks at least 3 ft apart. The c bass offshore are 6 and 7 lbs, the Pollock are 30 and 40 lbs., and some of the Cod push 50 lbs, why go smaller ? Big hooks, big baits, big fish, start with at least 20 oz.

If you divide each number by half, this is spot on. Sinkers can go up to 20, depending on current.

[Jay]

I am talking about Dec thru Feb. There are loads of 14"-20" porgies on those wrecks. As for big cod and pollack they are not very common on sea bass wrecks. Certain northeast wrecks have them in fair numbers but most cod on these trips are under 12lbs. I have caught fish that size on number 2 hooks with no problems. The only time I would use 5/0s and when fishing commerically to keep porgies off the hooks.

I hear where you coming from. I saw a person catch a 35lb cod on a mackerel rig. That was a December trip. Only time I usually book for Offshore. There was several Pollock's caught in these wrecks which held Porgies and Seabass. The Pollock are usually higher off the wreck. Those Porgies you see in that cooler were caught on 5/0 hooks. The picture doesn't do them justice. They were the size of plates.

[Mags2013]

[QUOTE=Jay;380684]I hear where you coming from. I saw a person catch a 35lb cod on a mackerel rig. That was a December trip. Only time I usually book for Offshore. There was several Pollock's caught in these wrecks which held Porgies and Seabass. The Pollock are usually higher off the wreck. Those Porgies you see in that cooler were caught on 5/0 hooks. The picture doesn't do them justice. They were the size of plates.[/QUOT

That's an awesome catch, Jay. Thanks for the tip on the grand banks knot. I'll give it a shot. Never heard of it before!

[Mags2013]

Thanks for the tips guys!

[PaulNreel]

You know that you can catch big fish and little fish on 2/0 hooks and smaller baits but you can only catch big fish on big hooks with big bait (porgy and ling wont swallow 8/0 hook). So what is your strategy? Catch your limit and have a go at sea bass, porgy and ling go with little hooks. If you want a trophy go with big hooks and big baits, you may catch less :confused: but what you catch will probably be bigger :D:D. Or when you think you have enough in the cooler go for a trophy. As to how much weight to use, remember that you will have to reel it up from the deep many times and it will eventually have an impact on your arms. So start with 16oz and if you cant hold bottom add more. By the way, Sam the sinker man is a great source for sinkers.

[MVP]

BIG WATER, BIG RIGS. 8/0 baitholder hooks at least 3 ft apart. The c bass offshore are 6 and 7 lbs, the Pollock are 30 and 40 lbs., and some of the Cod push 50 lbs, why go smaller ? Big hooks, big baits, big fish, start with at least 20 oz.

No disrespect here Andy, but 6-7 lb seabass offshore is the exeption not the norm with offshore seabass. on over 90 % of the trips offshore if you weighed your limit catch of seabass the total average weight will come out to less the 4 lbs a fish and most likely closer to 3 lbs a fish. When guys post that they caught double triple header 5-6 pound seabass they are normally over exaggerating. When you are use to catching 1.5 - 2.5 lb seabass inshore and you catch a 4 pounder it looks absolutely huge in comparison. You may not believe it but most fisherman seem to exaggerate when it comes to # and size of fish they caught. As for 50 pound cod please let me know were I can catch these monsters as it is 2014 not 1970 and these fish are far and few between

[duranautic al]

well said MVP

[tautog]

From all my commercial fishing years the overall average on the wrecks was usually 2 3/4lbs and 3lbs on the southern rockpiles. Sometimes days you do really get all 4-6lbers, but most days it is 2-4bers with a few kicker fish. As for 8lbers, mostly legendary. I have 1 8.1lber out of tens of thousands of offshore sea bass. I have seen two others out of tens of thousands of fish. A good number of 7s, but they mostly seem to top out at 7 1/2.

[PALMERS TACKLE]

Check out our rigs for offshore seabass well stocked for this type of fishing using 5/0 octopus or 4/0 baitholder tied on 50 lb quattro camo leader.
proven rigs!
Also i would consider jigs as they work very well for deep jigging seabass cod/pollock etc..ava style jigs or a cheap yet good wreck jig we make here seen in the pic below.
www.palmersbucktails.com

[MDeSi]

Basic 50 lb stick leader, 4/0-6/0 hooks. tied hi-lo. i know this has been said but want to mention there is NO NEED for fancy sh!t like teasers and glow and….. just need the clam. Maybe a hammer jig though if you want to catch that way.

[PaulNreel]

MVP, fisherman exaggerate about their catch. Please tell me it aint so...
I always get a kick when I am cranking seeing Andy push a button on his winch.

[tropics]

Wow no one mentioned bait holder hooks 5/0 6/0

[jjdbike]

Just go with 5/0 bait holders or octopus hooks. My preference is the grand banks knot. Snell the hook, hi and lo. Follow the steps on the picture. Should be golden. Good luck! Catch em up!

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/nenejav35/GrandBanksKnot.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/nenejav35/media/GrandBanksKnot.jpg.html)

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/nenejav35/206cb6674bfe05ae8f2bc21e37fb7faf_zpsbdfaddb1.jpg (http://s99.photobucke1ZA6V0080311049252t.com/user/nenejav35/media/206cb6674bfe05ae8f2bc21e37fb7faf_zpsbdfaddb1.jpg.h tml)

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/nenejav35/84e6bc9bbc199ec0a4d3660867bfd65c_zps00d2d34a.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/nenejav35/media/84e6bc9bbc199ec0a4d3660867bfd65c_zps00d2d34a.jpg.h tml)
Nice post Jay.
I tried out the grand banks knot on a sea bass trip last year and really liked it. Stands out away from rig really well.
JD