08.13.2017 - Fishing for something

[Giorgio]

Went out yesterday with Sal and Lloyd on the V20. We left Hook Creek around 10:00 and started fishing by Floyd Bennett around 10:30, along with the whole fleet of boats. Lloyd and I were Fluke fishing, Sal was Porgy fishing. Sal picked up one Porgy and switched to Fluke when he saw Lloyd and I pick up two shorts each. We then moved to the MPB and caught 10 short Sea Bass, I picked up two 13 inch Porgy's and that was it for the day. For the day, 5 short Fluke, 10 Short Sea Bass, one short Porgy, caught by Sal, Three keeper Porgy's and one Rocker caught by Lloyd and two caught by the Rocker Queen. Those three Porgy's were giving to Lloyds neighbor, who wanted them.

 

[phatdaddy]

Well, an off trip is better that no trip, sometimes. It's been soooo smokin hot down here last couple weeks, hard to get motivated. I did manage to bring home a trout, mullet, and black snapper this weeekend. All about 14-16 inches. Turned those into 10-12 fish tacos.

Ordered some salted clams from New Jersey to try on pompano. U guys ever use them in your exploits?

 

[SkunkBoat]

Well, an off trip is better that no trip, sometimes. It's been soooo smokin hot down here last couple weeks, hard to get motivated. I did manage to bring home a trout, mullet, and black snapper this weeekend. All about 14-16 inches. Turned those into 10-12 fish tacos.

Ordered some salted clams from New Jersey to try on pompano. U guys ever use them in your exploits?

Yes, Salted is the way to go. Last longer on the hook and in the freezer. Even re-freeze well. You can get gallon buckets. I will never buy them any other way now.
The best bait for black sea bass, cod, hake, porgies, drum, croaker, northern kingfish... Great for tog, stripers, sheepshead, winter flounder.

 

[phatdaddy]

So, how much is a gallon. I'm paying $10 for a 5 oz bag. Ordered 2 bags total $26 with shipping.

 

[Giorgio]

I get fresh shucked clams for $11.00 a dozen, keep them on ice, what we don't use I salt them down good with Kosher salt and freeze them for the next trip out. We use to be able to get those big chowder clams in the shell, no more, I guess it's better for the bait shops cost wise. Right now I have about 1 1/2 dozen in the freezer and if I don't get to use them this season, they will stay until next year.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Capt Bill's Landing in Pt Pleasant Beach

QUART SALTED CLAMS---$9.00

4 QUARTS OF SALTED CLAMS---$25.00

 

[phatdaddy]

These are the ones i ordered

https://www.nativesaltclam.com/

I'm gonna try them for our fall pompano run in about 3-4 weeks. Sounds like if they do ok, i need to give skunks guy a call, I'm guessing since they are salted, not frozen, he can ship.

If not, might have to make a trip to the land of long pants, get a bagel sandwich and go flukin with the pros


Sorry, G did not mean to de-rail.

 

[bradford]

Some of the best threads on here are de-rails.

 

[Giorgio]

Hey Phat, you can have a bagel but keeps your hands off my
BACON !!!

 

[SkunkBoat]

These are the ones i ordered

https://www.nativesaltclam.com/

man...i just wrote a long reply and lost it by accidentally closing the browser

so here I go again...
Those are prime baits! Just the foot, no bellies, siphons or ribbons. Worth the price? maybe if you only use very small pieces and don't have a lot of bait stealers.

The ones I get in the bucket are shucked, whole, salted AND frozen. They are big Surf Clams which are actually a different species than Hard Clams (little neck/cherrystone/quahog).

I bought them at Capt Bills but they come from Spring Lake Freezer Co.

 

[phatdaddy]

Definitely the tenderloin of clam. I've been using sand fleas for years with good results, they got scarce after the beach renurishment. Then switched to fish bites. Look like bubble gum strips. They work well and stay on a hook very well. Was looking at a surf fishing site i go to and saw the clams mentioned. Supposed to be super tough, so I'll give it a try.

Thanks for the info

 

[Giorgio]

Skunk, I love using the ribbon, stays on the hook longer and let a little hang down. What you call the foot I call the tongue. Save it, salt it and it will last and last.