Party boat bait

[BCinerie]

This might sound silly for the folks who sail regularly but for a guy who lives near cleveland etc. What bait are the fluke boats providing this year? Years ago they used to get nice big spearing and large squid and I would get a few squid filets and cut nice long strips. The last time out they told me I could not cut my own and I was stuck with spaghetti string squid and nasty spearing. The old Freddy-C on occasion would supply killies and peanut bunker when available. So I might sail out of the highlands or point.

Thx BC

[Ismellfishy]

forget the bait and get some Gulp!

[shrimpman steve]

We let you cut your own on the dirty shrimp

Seriously Brandon, I would buy squid I don't see why you can't cut it on the boat. Just ask the mates and make sure you cut on a cutting board or your cooler don't use the gunnel as a cutting board and you should be fine.

Call me and we will try and get out.

[DirtyChimneyMan]

Bounce a bucktail!! But I would recommend getting some killies too

[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!

Originally Posted by BCinerie

This might sound silly for the folks who sail regularly but for a guy who lives near cleveland etc. What bait are the fluke boats providing this year? Years ago they used to get nice big spearing and large squid and I would get a few squid filets and cut nice long strips. The last time out they told me I could not cut my own and I was stuck with spaghetti string squid and nasty spearing. The old Freddy-C on occasion would supply killies and peanut bunker when available. So I might sail out of the highlands or point.

Thx BC

It's been years since I sailed on a party boat for fluke but it's safe to say if you want to use bait bring your own and if squid is your choice, cut it into strips the night before and keep it in a small container. Some party boats I think frown on patrons filleting their own strips for liability reasons as opposed to regulatory reasons or anything else. As someone else pointed out, many if not most people use buck tails and gulp these days but bait still accounts for it's fair share of fluke and on some days outperforms bt's. If you want peanut bunker or snappers, you'll probably have to catch them yourself at the marina prior to sailing since most party boats won't have them on board. You would need a net for the peanuts if they're in and can use a sabiki rig for the snappers or a small rod with a small hook and a small pieces of squid. Party boats provide some form of bait but I wouldn't necessarily depend on it if your picky about what you like using. I'm not sure what the regulations are this year as far as cutting strips from a fluke, I believe in '13 you were allowed to cut one fluke at sea for strips as long as you didn't dispose of the carcass at sea. Maybe someone else can comment on the '14 regs as far as that is concerned.

Dakota

[NoLimit]

Spearing on pink spinners has outperformed other baits including gulp and jigs in the opening days.

[NoLimit]

Spearing on pink spinners has outperformed other baits including gulp and jigs in the opening days.

[Cuz]

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

[capt74]

On the Captain Cal we supply squid and spearing. You are free to bring anything you like. And yes you can cut your own if you like. Last year spearing was hard to come by late in the season.