Jumbo Seabass

[InshoreAngler]

Hey guys, may be planning a few jumbo seabass trips on the Frances.

My questions are regarding rigs. One or two hook? And will 5/0 Gami Octopus hooks be fine or r they too big? Also, what do you guys prefer for seabass teasers on the hook(s)??

[goosefish]

It depends on the doggies. If there thick then I'd go with a 4-5 oz crippled herring and two teasers above it. No bait. Any teaser will do: fly or plastic. If the dogfish aren't around then I'd use a two hook bait rig with a bank sinker on the bottom. But big seabass love artificals, and it's a great way to catch em'.

[Bill L]

Ut-oh, looks like another Nor'Easters coming

[InshoreAngler]

yea lol wouldnt be surprised

[scoobe]

Woah these must be some really big seabass you guys are talking about... 5/0 hooks? 4-5oz spoons? Wow! I don't think I've ever seen seabass that big.

[MakoMike]

Sea bass have really big mouths. I use 4/0 and 5/0 circle hooks all last season and caught plenty of throwbacks. On those deepwater trips I would stick to circles, so the fish can almost hook themselves and go with a minimum of four hooks.

[Joey T]

I used a flounder rig two summers ago on patriots party boat and caught black seabass with squids. I never tried using a lure on it. I saw the mate used a white skirt jig and caught a 4 lbs black seabass on a light tackle outfit. I'm guessing a bucktail is out of question?

[InshoreAngler]

thanks for the input guys. tied some rigs tonight - an end loop knot for either a sinker or jig, 12" up a dropper loop, 8"up from that another dropper loop, 8" up a third dropper loop, and 12" up a barrell swivel. 50#big game, 5/0 gami octopus. gonna pick up one or two crippled herrings and diamond jigs in taht size range, and some 3" B2 glow squids.
am i all set?
I have 2 jumbo seabass frances trips reserved for january, 4AM-6PM.