[fishologist II]

Well,this question is a little late for me,because I will be pulling my boat in a few weeks to get ready for deer season.
My boat is based in Jamaica Bay.My boat does not have the range to fish the canyons,but when conditions and finances allow,and I can get a crew,You may find me anywhere within fifty or so miles of Breezy Point,looking to catch the various species of shark and tuna.
I am a firm believer of "match the hatch".Would it be wise for me to order through the mail,ballyhoo,or other mail order baits for the ares I fish?
Which other baits will produce here?
I go out with the usual local baits:bunker,mackeral squid,butters and cans of ground bunker chum.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Pete

 

[togmaster]

Hey Fish

The key to your question is you only plan on fishing 50 to 60 miles. Now from Jamaica bay that would only put you a bit short of the Texas tower or Bacardi. Now I think the ballyhoo and other Gulf Stream baits may not be the way to go. These fish usually work best in the canyon where they come from. Very rarely will you see this bait in the range you?re talking about. I not say never but very rarely. So I would stick with the local baits Butter fish bunker mackerel, and don?t forget the live bait blue fish , and whiting, ling are great baits and have caught many giants for the sharpies. Dropping to the bottom and catching what is in the area and putting it on the hook is great bait! So I m not saying not to try them but just make sure you get the right bait for the area you fish. Good luck

 

[MakoMike]

Fish,
IMHO, when "matching the hatch" offshore size and color is much more important than species. If the target fish are feeding on 4 inch long silver bait a four inch long ballyhoo will catch, but a 12 inch long one may not produce as well. If they are feeding on squid, which change colors rapidly, anything which approximates the size of the squid will do. If they are feeding on little dolphin, you're not going to be able to match the bait.

 

[togmaster]

Yes Color is a big part mike

Yes Mako mike the color has a big role in the bait to use. Good point. but remeber he is not going to make the Shelf. He is talking the deepest depth for him will be Chicken Canyon. I think that the dolphin is the only species going for the mail order baits to produce well. Like you said squid is killer. That is a local bait. Hey all i'm suggesting is to not order so much try them first before you put in a big order. Better to get less then to much good luck