Party boat bait

[frugalfisherman]

All they give in the Highlands is spearing. If they have fluke ribbons from the day before they pass them out but usually you catch a lot of sea robins and they make great strip bait. The J2 in Brielle is very free with squid and spearing. If I were you I'd take Shrimpmans generous offer.

[rumster]

The best baits are something a fluke can hold on too. I too have fallen in love with gulp grubs with a high low bucktail setup.I have been fortunate enough to land a 12.6 lb and 10.5 lb in the last 2 years in NJ waters. As far as natural baits try to stay away from baits like spearing that are easily removed from the hook, when the fish are not all out engulfing the bait all you are doing is feeding them. Strips of Sea Robbin,Dog Fish belly,salmon belly, fluke or butter flied snappers are great strip baits and they stay on the hook. Other great baits are live bergals and live snappers.

[PeteyHD]

Originally Posted by Cuz

Tip: Buy your big squids at any Asian fish market. Fresh or frozen it's half the price.

X2 I do this and get a few of the large clean tubes from them. They are nice and thick and hang onto the hook well. I cut them at home and bring them in a zip-lock bag and keep them in my cooler. On PB I bucktail 99% of the time so gulp and some squid strips or fluke belly to tip the bottom bucktail is all you need. If you like dragging bait they usually carry spearing like most guys on her stated but I would still suggest bringing squid no matter what and your choice of peruvians or killies to tip with.

Good luck and have fun!

[shresearchdude]

When I was out last weekend the boat supplied spearing and I was allowed to cut my squid on their cutting board. It is best to use a bait that stays on with each missed strike, even when the bait is soft it may fall off on the way down, and that isn't as likely with squid or artificial bait.

[frugalfisherman]

I'm not much into the "thick" squid. Shoprite has 3 pound box's of squid for $6.99. I use them whole on a double hook and when a fish tears them instead of getting hooked I cut it in strips.

[SaltLife1980]

Have not touched bait in a few years now.. Gulp is the way to go!

[MohawkJD]

I agree, Gulp has it's days, but what type, size & color? There are many different types of Gulp. (Mullets, Grubs, Mantis Shrimp) in many colors (Chartreuse, Pink, White, New Penny, Nuc Chicken) in several sizes (3", 4", 5" & 6") If I understand the first post correctly, he's coming from Cleveland. If he's only going out a couple of times, at $6.99/bag, it doesn't seem worth it. If we knew where he's fishing and what part of the summer, we can narrow it down for him.

Today, I always bring my own squid because many boats don't have it. I'd also bring another bait as I've been on boats that supplied mushy bait that falls off the hook before it touches the water

[BCinerie]

Thanks for the input everyone, I do have a fair share of gulp but I am old school and like dragging bait also! From what I gather the fair on most fluke boats include a nice boat ride and some spearing with a few providing squid. I will pick up a few boxes of squid and few dozen smelts etc. I am taking Shrimpy up,on his offer and heading out sometime next week ! I will make a mid summer and late summer trip also! Hopefully pics to follow!

[HDMarc]

Originally Posted by Ismellfishy

forget the bait and get some Gulp!

I agree with Drew here. I do my best fluking with 6" Gulp grubs, Nuclear Chicken and pink seem to be the ticket. There are times where boat bait might outfish the artificials, and it doesn't take much to throw some On if that's the case.

[Sea Horse]

Originally Posted by kmaty

Bring your own bait for sure! Not sure so dont quote me but i dobt think any boats hand out squid any more and if so its a limited few along with sprearing they now use imported wana bes....i Bucktail so it don't bother me but this time of yr someday s bait out fishe . Bucktails iknow i got some pre cut strips the other day at Atlantic b&t cut by pete himself they were the thick tubes Nice stuff!

We have been supplying smelts along with the silversides/spearing for the novice bait draggers. In addition we stopped using squid a few years back and supply mackerel strips which work great. The fluke ribbons are nothing but a headache for us with the fish and game so unless an angler wants to cut his up we generally do not use it.

The 11.5lb fluke landed opening day was caught on a smelt mackerel combo.