Need some advice on how and where to find Menhaden. I usually put in by the Limehouse Bridge or Wapoo cut and head towards the harbor and the Jetties during a calm day. I’m using frozen mullet and shrimp and want to move to fresh and live baits. Don’t know where to start. Thanks
I’m not very familiar with your area, but one of the few times I left the Wappoo cut to the south and there were Menhaden on the opposite side of the Stono. I’m sure someone will respond, but sometimes you just have to ride and look for them. Early morning, flat calm days will show you where they are, cruise around looking for them flipping. Of course, birds diving are an indicator but most everyone knows that. I’m sure you’re looking for one of those go to spots that almost always have bait. I think folks up there say the shores around Castle Pinckney holds them pretty regularly.
BG
Near Fort Sumter and off Morris Island. Look for the birds diving on 'em.
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If you are coming up the cut anyways, turn left up the Ashley River. Its usually fairly easy to find the menhaden between Brittlebank and Dolphin Cove and that’s not terribly far out of your way. I feel like I see them more on that side of the river, the Citadel side. I’ve seen them this year in the Ashley, Cooper, Wando and harbor, so they are everywhere, you just have to find them on any given day. Go slow; you’ll see them flip or look for pelicans diving.
If its calm, you can find them on the other side of the fort. Don’t be afraid to throw in deep water and let the net sink. You just need to get lucky once, then you’ll have plenty of bait.
Menhadden are also hard to keep alive. You need constantly running water in your bait well. If not, most of your bait will be dead in less than an hour, so keep that in mind. It helps to keep the minimum amount of bait that you can afford to. Sure, you’d like to think that you’ll need 50 live baits, but truthfully if you go through 20 live baits in a day of fishing, that’s probably a pretty successful day for most people. You are better off having less numbers but lively baits than lots of dead bait.
Find this and you’re good!
“If you go thru 20 live baits that’s a successful trip” l to the ol
’
Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.
quote:
Originally posted by 23Sailfish Go slow; you'll see them flip or look for pelicans diving.If its calm, you can find them on the other side of the fort. Don’t be afraid to throw in deep water and let the net sink. You just need to get lucky once, then you’ll have plenty of bait.
Thanks Sail. If it’s blown out can you find them on the Depth finder? Would they appear as a big bait ball?
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I think inside the harbor is pretty shallow to see them under the boat on the depth finder. They seem to move when you get over them. Off of Morris Island lighthouse they will often sound when you approach a school and you will see the ball deep on the DF.
2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
quote:
Originally posted by CaptFritz“If you go thru 20 live baits that’s a successful trip” l to the ol
’
Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.
We can’t all be as successful and good looking as you Capt Goldilocks…
General rule, 1 menhaden/gallon of water in well…if you’re close to the fishing grounds you could definitely get away with more. My first shot at trolling for kings 15 years ago, scored 100 menhaden, put 50 in the well,the rest in the cooler for bottom fishing and headed towards the 60…I should’ve just put all of them in the cooler, lol…all dead.
I am not saying these guys are wrong but I have a 30 gallon live well that circulates and aerates. I always put 60-80 atleast in there run to the ross from south beach and have very few of any that die in 6 or so hours. Yeah they get red nosed but I have zero issue. Just my experience.
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quote:/don't be afraid to throw dead bait on the bottom.
Originally posted by 23Sailfishquote:
Originally posted by CaptFritz“If you go thru 20 live baits that’s a successful trip” l to the ol
’
Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.
We can’t all be as successful and good looking as you Capt Goldilocks…
’
Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.
Sorry but 1/gal is incredibly inefficient…i would invest in a better pump if that was the case…depending on size I put 40-50 in my 16 gal live well. Never had any issue besides red noses.
BGC