We got in fresh bluebacks last night. The question this morning aroud the bait shop is which bait is best. Bluebacks, threadfin, gizzard shad, or perch?
Too subjective.
I prefer bluebacks and cut gizzard shad. If using perch, I use them whole.
Cut mullet is pretty good too, esp if you can get one of the river mullet you see leaping like Zeppelins around the rivers and lakes in the Santee area.
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
Bluebacks in the warmer months.
Nothing beats live 2-4" bream from mid-October through December for the big blues and flatheads from my experience. They don’t seem to work as well the rest of the year.
My uncle swears small, live white bass are the best flathead bait ever. I’ve never tried it.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
quote:
Originally posted by HoofArdedMy uncle swears small, live white bass are the best flathead bait ever. I’ve never tried it.
Are there any white bass in our local systems (cooper, santee, etc)? I’ve only seen white perch and stripers, and most of the stripers are stocked.
Also add to the list, cut roe (American) shad. Very good cut bait.
I have a freezer full of menhaden. I’ve tried them before for catfish without much luck, but if I know the cats are active, I bring some along with me, they usually will hit them if they are active.
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
Sorry but I can’t help on what you listed, but what hoofard said for flatheads. Nothing like a live bream. IMO.
If you want a tough bait that’ll last all night on a bush line try your local butcher and get a beef heart cut in 1" X 3" strips.
Never used them, but caught a Cat last Month that was full of fiddlers. I mean full to the point that I don’t know how he planned on stuffing the shrimp that hooked him down his throat.
quote:
Originally posted by Redfish_mattAre there any white bass in our local systems (cooper, santee, etc)?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I remember catching them in Moultrie when I was a kid. This was over 20 years ago. I haven’t seen any in a long time.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
Raw shrimp…I usually pick up a cheap bag from the grocer’s freezer and use it for bait. Lots of success over the years with it…
quote:
Originally posted by HoofArdedquote:
Originally posted by Redfish_mattAre there any white bass in our local systems (cooper, santee, etc)?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I remember catching them in Moultrie when I was a kid. This was over 20 years ago. I haven’t seen any in a long time.
You know, now that I think about it, I remember someone over at Atkin’s Landing (a customer) telling me that they stopped stocking white and hybrid bass. But that was before 2006, so no telling when they stopped stocking them in reality.
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
Around 1997/98 during the spring run up the river, there were thousands upon thousands of dead white & stripped bass dead in the swamp up around Packs. I never heard of a reason for the kill but there have been none in the lake since.
War Eagle 115 yamaha 4 stroke
Back to the bait question, everyone has their preferences, but I always thought that freshness was more important than the species of cut bait. Frozen cut bait just never does as well as fresh dead and bloody baits. However, frozen shrimp seems to still be a good bait. Add needlefish and eel to good catfish and trotline baits. When using live baits for cats, try cutting off half of the tailfin to give off scent and make it move oddly…
White perch dominate Santee Cooper now where once white bass ruled. Same trade off has been observed across the country; White perch move in and White bass decline. No limit on white perch as they have been removed from the gamefish list. They are good eating if you ever get into some larger ones.
I use fresh shrimp most of the time. I did find out that they prefer fresh chicken livers rather than fresh frozen… not sure why, but fishing beside a friend talking boat to boat, like 5-7 feet away, he was steadily pulling them in with fresh livers and my thawed livers werent being touched… Go figure…
Key West 196 CC 115hp Merc// 14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
Fresh herring early spring to early summer. Live bream or white perch early summer to early fall. Cut mullet or threadfin shad winter. The best hot summer bait is stink bait. Sonny’s blood. If you save your old grease from fish fries and cover your cut bait prior to fishing it will increase your catch.
BKwoods…the grease is a new one on me and will have to give it try. Heard about folks using perfectly good chicken breast strips soaked over night in WD-40, but I’ve never tried or tested it.
Yep wd 40 is made from fish oil
2012 DLV 198 Carolina Skiff
Humingbird 998 Side scan and GPS
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My Cherokee indian name is asuvsgi nahna adadudi or Fishes on Credit
I soaked some cutbait in cod liver oil like someone suggested… Complete waste of time and money, the cats do not like cod liver oil…
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
quote:
Originally posted by elgeebeeRaw shrimp…I usually pick up a cheap bag from the grocer’s freezer and use it for bait. Lots of success over the years with it…
Winner winner winner
“Those who have the ability to make a difference have the responsibility to do so.” Thomas Jefferson
quote:
Originally posted by elgeebeeRaw shrimp…I usually pick up a cheap bag from the grocer’s freezer and use it for bait. Lots of success over the years with it…
Winner winner winner
“Those who have the ability to make a difference have the responsibility to do so.” Thomas Jefferson
Nothing works better then white perch for catches in moultire and Marion also I have alot of luck on primo stink bait
Scout
PALMERS SEAFOOD
[quote]Originally posted by genehunter
Yep wd 40 is made from fish oil[quote][
Thats a good one! Definately not made from fish oil, but it might catch fish, but wouldnt want to eat a fish that injested WD-40.
Eel! Buy a few, cut them up in chunks and put a hook through them. I suggest making a small hole before trying to put a hook through them. They are slick and the skin is tough. Good for staying on the hook though!
17’ Key West
“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day…Teach a man to fish, he’ll probably be in your spot next time.”
LKJ