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Post by getlinewet on May 13, 2013 18:09:38 GMT -5
Guys I have a dilemma. It seems the only bait I can catch in my neck of the woods is Alewives. They are great for fishing off the dock but for the life of me I can't seem to use them out on the water . The damn things seem so fragile. If I put them off planer boards on freeline very few survive more than 1/2 hour it seems, even if trolling on very low speed. Can anyone give me some tips how to use this live bait effectively out on the lake? Perhaps I am not putting them on the hook correctly...I just don't know. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2013 19:20:13 GMT -5
Hard to say, never really had a problem trying to keep them alive in the spring. The hot water summer months are a different story. Even then if you get them on the hook and don't fool around getting them thru the hot surface water and into the deeper cooler water they will be ok. More a problem in the tank than on the hook. They are delicate though and won't stand much handling or fumbling around.
Are they in good shape and frisky in your tank? The longer you take getting them on the hook and into the water will have an ill effect on them. I don't fool around with my bait. Before I even get a bait out of the tank, I've got my hook in my other hand and ready to hook up,and in the water. Takes about 4 seconds. I've had folks fish with me, get a bait, drop it on the floor, roll it around trying to pick it up, walk to the back of the boat, sit down, fumble with there rod to get the hook and wonder why their bait is dead when they lay it in the water. Most folks on here go into the open mouth and out one of the nostrils to hook their bait.
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on May 13, 2013 19:26:38 GMT -5
Sounds like a bait tank problem to me.
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Post by Gotcha on May 13, 2013 19:46:40 GMT -5
Hook size may be your problem! #1. 1/0 2/0 for ales! I like a lite wire hook also for ales. For shad go with the 2/0-6/0 hooks! Match hook to bait size, even if it means changing hook every time you re-bait it! IMO you won't beat a 2/0 drop shot/split shot hook! Owner also has a mosquito hook lite wire hook I like!
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leeb
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Post by leeb on May 13, 2013 23:11:06 GMT -5
Don't forget the Salt. I use to think I could cheap out and not use salt. The salt has been my biggest game changer as far as keeping my bait alive longer.
And you said you a trolling slow? How slow? Trolling motor slow or outboard slow? I do not like to drag my Ale's more than 1.2 mph and try to stay slower.
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Post by mwardncsu on May 16, 2013 9:10:11 GMT -5
Gotcha - you're going to need something bigger than a 1/0 hook for this Ale I caught last night ;D (yeah, it may be a Blueback) That's 10"+ of USDA Prime Filet Mignon for Stripers right there.....
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Post by Gotcha on May 16, 2013 10:02:02 GMT -5
Ummm. Where did ya find that? Im jealous! That's why you are my role model! Ok a 2/0!!!! And a heavy wire one like a live bait gama!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 11:15:51 GMT -5
I'm just wondering.
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Post by mwardncsu on May 16, 2013 11:32:14 GMT -5
I'm just wondering. Bigun - nope - this is what your favorite bait hole left me with... needless to say I was able to "stand guard" for you for quite a while shaking those guys out. Don't throw a 1/2" net right now - the ales are perfect sized to gill in every hole in the net..... need to dig my 3/8 back out for "normal" sized ales. And my 5/8" was gilling some big ales - pains me when that happens....
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Post by mwardncsu on May 16, 2013 11:34:56 GMT -5
That's why you are my role model! ! Lord knows you can do a lot better ;D I'm almost certain that's a blueback, but I'm not cutting it open to check Probably a orphan from the Optimist tourney or other when someone dumped their tank - talked with a couple of guys that have been catching some here and there recently.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 12:59:15 GMT -5
I'm just wondering. I was able to "stand guard" for you for quite a while. You should have turned the shad light on. Thanks for the watchful eye. ;D
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on May 16, 2013 14:35:45 GMT -5
Looks alewifey to me Mward. Most of those massive skipjack looking ones have been ales. The bluebacks are usually all big too though so who knows? Either way it should get smoked this time of year..probably by a 6lber though!
And yes no 1/2". I learned that a couple weeks back. I been only going 5/8" for the shad. I do cry when I gill a bunch of 6" ales.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 15:39:30 GMT -5
I don't know either, but dang if they ain't nice. Bout an hour or so before daybreak has been much better for the bigger ones for me.
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