I might try some cut bait fishing with Tom on Friday, so I want to familiarize myself with the process from the folks that know. Do you use the same size bait on the hook as you cut up for chum or are bigger chunks better on the line?
Herring works best. I was taught to use heads only cut at an angle from the dorsal fin to the anal fin and it has worked very well. Sometimes I try mid sections but if they get hit without hooking the fish the bait is almost always gone. I never use tails but when cleaning cut bait fish they certainly have tails in their bellies from the chum. Same hooks and bait size as pulling freelines.
I cut it the same way too, but go to a bit bigger hook and put both pieces on the hook. I would bring the tank and keep them alive until you are ready to cut them up. Also, throw out at least a few live ones on the bottom as well. The live ones will occasionally wrap around the line since the sinker is sitting on the bottom, but it is pretty easy to undo and it can really pay off if they are more in the mood for a live bait. Keeping the leader short helps.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki