Hello All!

I have searched the net and found many ways but does anyone have any tips on baiting hooks with mackerel or clams for striper? So far i've been fishing a fish finder rig with bumps only, no sets. As a new surf caster I appreciate all the help I can get!

Also, If anyone is throwing in a line around Boston drop a PM!

I haven't fished with mackeral or clam chunks in a while but at the end, I had success with large 8/0 circle hooks through the bait tied to a 24-36" leader tied to a decent swivel. On the mainline side I used a nylon fishfinder rig (see picture below) with a lighter line running between the fishfinder rig and the the casting weight (in case the weight got stuck).

As for the hook itself, I would bring it through the top of the chunk (mack) with the chunks cut as steaks in the bait (sometimes I would cut flaps in the side of the macks but that's another story).

The key thing on the mackeral or clams - go fresh as you can.


http://www.terminaltackleco.com/images/uploads/3754_381_large.jpg


Very important when using circle hooks - DO NOT SET THE HOOK HARD as you will pull out the bait more often than not. Keep the rod tip pointed straight at the fish, let them take it a bit, then start reeling, once the line is tight, then lift up on the rod.

As noted here (http://www.igfaanglersdigest.com/how-to-fish-circle-hooks.html) : How to Fish Circle Hooks - Circle Hook 101 - Tips, Techniques, Catch and Release, Conservation, Survivability (http://www.igfaanglersdigest.com/how-to-fish-circle-hooks.html)

The most important thing you need to learn about circle hook mechanics, is that it is imperative the fish is GOING AWAY from you when you set the hook. Unlike a “J” hook, you WILL NOT set the hook by jerking on the rod with the force to turn the fish’s neck on the strike. As much fun as this is, the macho feel of “setting steel” to an animal that you just fooled with your offering is not the way a circle hook does what it is designed to do. Instead, you must be use a bit more finesse. You will actually have to feel what the fish has done with your bait upon eating it, before you take action for the hook up. When a fish has taken your bait, pay attention to its exit strategy. When it swims away from you, THEN AND ONLY THEN, come tight for the hook set.. NO JERKING .. !!!


You will become a quick study as to how each fish species actually feeds in it's world – how it picks up a bait, and what it does with it after it has captured it. Fishing circle hooks will make you become more attentive to the behavior of your target species, at the same time making you an angler more aware. These are positive attributes. It is not a bad thing to learn more about your favorite fish. Let me hear the class say, “Yes teacher.”

When I fish bait (deadstick) I set the drag to about a 10 pounds. I use a rod holder and engage the drag then set the rod in the holder (after casting). Fish hook themselves. Read the canal "how to" forum. Big fish on the bottom.

Also, with bait, make sure that the hook point is EXPOSED.
Specifically with circle hooks, a unexposed hook point can lead to lost fish or gut hooking (after you've lost a few fish to them seeming to "spit out the bait").
When using mack or pogie, the head should NEVER be disgarded.
Hook it through the nose.
For fish chunks, if you use a large enough hook, try to get the hook as close to the backbone as possible.
As for clams, the foot is the "filet mognon" of the clam, while the neck and the attaching muscles are tougher. The belly is just a mushy mess that even the smallest hermit crab could tear apart.
Don't forget squid, eels and of course ANY LIVE BAIT.
Live lining a mack, pogie or hickory shad can provide some entertaining events when the fish are hungry.

Good luck!

tape worms have been working in the area you fish

i havent tried it yet, but a guy i met when i was fishing says he uses a rubberband to secure the clam, to help with longer cast. sounds like it might work. what do you think?