Bass keyed in on bunker.

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Tlpap, not to hijack but a question for you. When fishing at night, how do you know the bass are on bunker? Are you seeing them hit the surface or the bait jumping?
I never witnessed that at night.

Several items lead to this conclusion. First off, during the summer, the spot we had the bunker was very calm and you can pretty much see all that is going on in front of you with even a slight moon present. At times, you could see the bunker finning the surface. Also, what looked like TNT going off in the water as the bass take the bunker was another clue. Most of the bass that were kept had fresh bunker in them as well. (actually, one was stuffed with lobsters too) Lastly, when we have arrived before the sun set completely, you could see them in the water.

Simple...if you can stoop low enough...toss a live eel....Only fool would watch a guy next to him banging larger fish and not use whats working

Bill, I never said I didn't switch to eels. My goal was to try to figure out if something else would work, though. I knew the fish were there so I wanted to learn from the experience. The last night out this week was extremely windy. It was tough to get an eel to the fish with a 20 mph+ wind cutting across your cast. We eventually had to bail on eeling. The lightning and rain rolled in a short time later, so we really didn't have a chance to see what else would work that night.

have you tried using some larger paddle-tail rubber lures like a 9 inch storm wildeye

Unfortunately, none of these spots favor the use of a large paddle tail type offering. I have been considering trying some of the neutral to slow sinking swim baits like they use in Cali for big bass. I just can't bring myself to spending $50+ on a plug that could get donated to a bloooofish. Still trying to find an inexpensive one that swims well. Has anyone tried removing some of the lead from a 9" Storm shad?

[piemma]

Bunker are less active at night. The Bass will take eels as well as bunker even if both are present. From experience.

Now plugs are a different story. I make my own plugs. Mostly BIG swimmers. Some up to a foot long. 2 years ago I was killing Bass on them in the Weakapaug Breachway in November. There were live bunker all over the place but I wanted to prove a point to myself. Last year I couldn't buy a fish on a plug when the bunker were present. Changes every year and I don't know why. That's why we keep at it. It's a learning experience everytime we hit the water.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

Several items lead to this conclusion. First off, during the summer, the spot we had the bunker was very calm and you can pretty much see all that is going on in front of you with even a slight moon present. At times, you could see the bunker finning the surface. Also, what looked like TNT going off in the water as the bass take the bunker was another clue. Most of the bass that were kept had fresh bunker in them as well. (actually, one was stuffed with lobsters too) Lastly, when we have arrived before the sun set completely, you could see them in the water.



Bill, I never said I didn't switch to eels. My goal was to try to figure out if something else would work, though. I knew the fish were there so I wanted to learn from the experience. The last night out this week was extremely windy. It was tough to get an eel to the fish with a 20 mph+ wind cutting across your cast. We eventually had to bail on eeling. The lightning and rain rolled in a short time later, so we really didn't have a chance to see what else would work that night.


Unfortunately, none of these spots favor the use of a large paddle tail type offering. I have been considering trying some of the neutral to slow sinking swim baits like they use in Cali for big bass. I just can't bring myself to spending $50+ on a plug that could get donated to a bloooofish. Still trying to find an inexpensive one that swims well. Has anyone tried removing some of the lead from a 9" Storm shad?

U can buy the big bodies from Tsunami.Before they came out we used a more generic looking 9 inch rubber shad.There is a coupla cali.comapinies like fishtrap that make nicer hand poured shads.I have got some nice fish on em but they are pricey.

Try a lighter jig head.I'm pretty sure the total weight of the big swimbaits are 6 oz.The body goes 3 I think an 3 oz of lead.So try a lighter jighead like the owner 1.5.Or Kalins 2 oz they use a big hook.I have a few other custom heads I use with a big hook for thebig shads.
Stink i up (soak) an add a rattle.