Offshore Sea Bass Question

[Jpell15]

Hey guys first post here, so thanks for any information provided. On Sunday I'm going on the Gambler for an 18 hour trip, and was wondering what size sinkers I'll need / do they sell them on the boat? The heaviest I have is 10, and I know I'll need heavier. Thanks for any help.

[bunker dunker]

they will have everything on the boat.i would wait till I got out there to see what the current is doing.last 2 trips I used 12oz and fished straight up and down with no trouble but have been on trips were we used 16 & 20oz.i am going on the Saturday trip if you pm me your number I will call you with the info.

[Jpell15]

Thanks for the help, I usually fish 12 hour trips on a non sponsor on the other side of the river, but decided to give the 18 hour trip a try this year, hopefully I get some big fish!

[bunker dunker]

fishing has been good with some real nice sea bass on the trips I was out.bring some squid.

[vikesdad]

Bigger thing to me is pre tying rigs ahead of time...always seems like the knots wont hold when the fish are flying up all around you and you're trying to thread a hook on !

[Jpell15]

I have plenty of tied rigs, hate messing around on boats tying them. I was just wondering about sinkers.

[BOOMER43]

Hey Bunker Dunker im gonna be on Saturdays trip also with my son. Were you using whole squid? If so what size?

[vikesdad]

last trips I have been on I have used anything from 12 to 16oz...only have resorted to 18-20 oz if tide is ripping or boat crowded and I am looking to get down quick..hold for a minute and reel up quick before everyone else rigs start walking on the bottom..would prob say 16 has been the sweet spot

[bunker dunker]

half or small whole .stripped will work also.if you can get the large and strip it that would be best.i'll see ya on saturday

[Blackfish Doug]

Hey guys first post here, so thanks for any information provided. On Sunday I'm going on the Gambler for an 18 hour trip, and was wondering what size sinkers I'll need / do they sell them on the boat? The heaviest I have is 10, and I know I'll need heavier. Thanks for any help.

I would go as heavy as possible remember scope even if you can hold lighter your still going to let out more line to hold bottom. Also keep it simple 2 hook rigs no beads or fancy stuff I feel it's a big dogfish or bluefish attractor. I also feel those 3 or 4 hook rigs can cause more tangles a & they are tough to get out of. Plus you risk getting a hook where you don't want it.

[BugEye Chris]

I usually bring an assortment from 10 to 16 and at least 1 box of while squid Also a few hammered diamond jigs in silver and gold 6 or 8 ounce I'll be out on a non sponsor across from the gambler on Saturday if anyone else is gonna be on that trip shoot me a pm
And merry Christmas to all

[BOOMER43]

Thanks Bunker Dunker I will see you Saturday

[MVP]

Make sure to bring Bigger sinkers in the 16- 20 oz range. I went on this past Sunday's trips. They sell sinkers up to 12 oz that was listed on the board on the boat. Weather they have heavier I do not know as I bring my own. Would definetly fish heavier than 12 if you want to spend more time fishing then being tangled up. As for bait nothing beats fresh clam when Seabass fishing period. Boat supplied clam but it was not the greatest as it was mushy. Probably refrozen from previous trip. Fresh is best and good luck. Sweet nice clean boat they even had a heater in the bathroom

[Jpell15]

This might be a completely stupid question, but could I just put two 8 oz. sinkers on my rig and use it as a 16?

[italianfisherman]

This might be a completely stupid question, but could I just put two 8 oz. sinkers on my rig and use it as a 16?

just tape them together..

[Blackfish Doug]

just tape them together..

Agreed 100% if you don't do it the sinkers flair out & spin on the way down. Then your rigs get all twisted up on the way down. Also make a separate dropper loop with a lighter leader with a swivel to tie into your rig this way if your sinker gets caught in the wreck it's much easier to break off & still get your fish.

[irishc]

What size hooks are you guys using? Leader weight? Thanks

[loosescrews]

We did better than everyone else on yesterday's trip using 7/0 baitholders. Seabass have big mouths and you can get more bait on the hook. Oh and I won the pool too. Merry xmas

[BugEye Chris]

I like 5/0 gami octopus offset hooks
I have a tica 8 foot wreck series rod with an
Avet mxj with 65 pound braid 60 pound top shot
And 50 pound leader for rigs

Good luck to all fishing this weekend and
Merry Christmas to all

[Jpell15]

Thank you everyone for all the advice I really appreciate it! I hope everyone has a great Christmas

[frugalfisherman]

NE winds with 4-6 east swell. Take your seasick pills for that ride out or you won't have to worry about tackle.

[Regulatorman]

Jpell-
I was on last Sunday's Gambler trip and going again on this Sunday's trip.

My group used 16 ounce sinkers the whole trip.. Guys around us had 10-12 oz and spent 1/2 the trip tangled up with each other... made no sense. I suggest 16oz.. as long as you are using a 7ft rod, MH- H rating you will have no issue.

I suggest 50lb braid, with a 15-20ft top shot of 50lb.

The advice you received from other posts in terms of the rig is spot on. Standard 2 hook rig is all you need. I use the Lampost Knot rigs vs. the dropper loop rigs... seems to work better for me.. octopus and/or bait holder
hooks are both great... 5/0- 8/0 ... have an assortment of each... I actually really, really, really like the Circle Sea hooks size 7/0... They are circle hooks, feel a bite, and simply reel.... didn't lose a fish --Yet!

Bait- Boat provides clams... some guys were using squid, but I think most of them also had majority of the dogs and a few bluefish...

Mates are pros!


the current weather conditions 5-8ft seas and building through the day, this is the only concern, hard staying in touch with the bottom with the boat moving around in this slop... another reason to stick with a 16oz..

Hopefully you will enjoy the trip.. The boat is super comfortable.. and I 2nd the heater in the bathroom.. very nice touch...


I will be w/ 4 guys on Sunday, if you need anything we will be happy to help you.... scott p, Mike G, Wilson, and Abubaida (AbuGarcia)

[Jpell15]

Jpell-
I was on last Sunday's Gambler trip and going again on this Sunday's trip.

My group used 16 ounce sinkers the whole trip.. Guys around us had 10-12 oz and spent 1/2 the trip tangled up with each other... made no sense. I suggest 16oz.. as long as you are using a 7ft rod, MH- H rating you will have no issue.

I suggest 50lb braid, with a 15-20ft top shot of 50lb.

The advice you received from other posts in terms of the rig is spot on. Standard 2 hook rig is all you need. I use the Lampost Knot rigs vs. the dropper loop rigs... seems to work better for me.. octopus and/or bait holder
hooks are both great... 5/0- 8/0 ... have an assortment of each... I actually really, really, really like the Circle Sea hooks size 7/0... They are circle hooks, feel a bite, and simply reel.... didn't lose a fish --Yet!

Bait- Boat provides clams... some guys were using squid, but I think most of them also had majority of the dogs and a few bluefish...

Mates are pros!


the current weather conditions 5-8ft seas and building through the day, this is the only concern, hard staying in touch with the bottom with the boat moving around in this slop... another reason to stick with a 16oz..

Hopefully you will enjoy the trip.. The boat is super comfortable.. and I 2nd the heater in the bathroom.. very nice touch...


I will be w/ 4 guys on Sunday, if you need anything we will be happy to help you.... scott p, Mike G, Wilson, and Abubaida (AbuGarcia)

Ok hopefully the boat sells 16s, otherwise I'll just tape my 8s and 10s together. Hopefully the fishing is good, maybe I'll see you guys on board.

[Jpell15]

Well just got the call of no trip.......Thank you everyone for all the advice I really appreciate it