Question about offshore sea bass

[bulletbob]

Just wondering if the "boat bait" which is clams of course is enough to get a limit or close.. Are the guys that are kicking ass on humpbacks using whole squid from the bait shops, or Gulp, or some other magic trick?.. I just don't want to feel like an idiot standing alongside guys on either side of me catching doubleheaders of 3 and 4 pound Sea Bass while I catch 10 inchers and assorted pout, bergalls, horn dogs, and skates.. happened twice to me this year, and I was ready to stop fishing salt water, seriously.. When I lived in NJ, I always did great on head boats, won several pools over the years etc.. Now that I have been "out of the loop" for 20 years, all too often I stand and watch while other are bailing fish within 6 inches of me.. I mean Sea bass are just Sea bass.. They either hit or don't, yet this year I was ready to commit suicide, as I couldn't even get hits while others around me were catching at least somewhat regularly.. My rigs came back up with clam snot and strings still streaming from the hooks... Just want to catch my share if I spend $250 to go out for a day of fishing.. I appreciate any advice... bob

[tropics]

Pick up a package of squid and you will have it, then you shouldn't have to worry.

[Harpoon]

Clam works just fine. Stinkier the better.

[Ol Pedro]

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Clam works just fine. Stinkier the better.

I have always fished clams with no problems . I like glow hoochiesquids or a green glowbead above my hooks . I have seen it when the Bass want smaller pieces of clam not massive globs .

[TDaly25]

Bob,
The last two trips I've been on I've fished different combinations of Jigs, gulp, squid and clam and had limits plus of big fish each time.

I will tell you that whole squid performed very well for big fish as did the clam. Make sure you put big pieces of clam on and do your best to hook it such that it stays on.

When the biscuit bite is good and aggressive they usually hit anything and your technique is the most important variable. Make sure you bring enough heavy lead to keep you on the bottom (I've been using 18 ounces primarily) and make sure you are patient enough on the rod to set a biscuit bite rather than a bergal nibble. Keeping the bait down after setting the hook on the first fish will lead to a lot more double headers, though will certainly lead to more arm fatigue! Good luck

[SeaLevel]

Clam is fine. Iv been on a couple off shore sea bass trips this year and most guys just stick to the boat bait and had no problem limiting. If you want to get fancy bring a few diamond jigs. Hammered gold seems to work well. your fishing somewhere around 200' and there could be some strong current so make sure your jig is heavy enough.

[AJFISH13]

Heavy duty cod style setup when u feel em hitting swing and slowly start to reel up just keep pressure. 3 hook rigs 4/0 and up i like 4/0s for more pork chops if they are around. Big pieces of clam unless lotta chops then downsize and swing on hard machine gun type hit(you probly know exactly what im talking about). This is stupid fishing as stupid as it gets. I cant help ya much with jigging, I almost always use bait. Only time I can ever jig seabass is inshore in the fall by accident looking for stripers.

[frugalfisherman]

7 bucks for a 3 pound box of squid at Shoprite. If you don't use it you can always eat it.

[TDaly25]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

7 bucks for a 3 pound box of squid at Shoprite. If you don't use it you can always eat it.

Yep. Or defrost and split into 2 ziplock bags. Whatever you don't use you can freeze and use later.

[Oasis]

Originally Posted by tropics

Pick up a package of squid and you will have it, then you shouldn't have to worry.

2nd that