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