seabass
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Seling...your question is one that would be answered differently about 5 years ago, and at that time it would be correct! Seabass traditionally started moving offshore in our area at the end of August and by October would be on the deeper water wrecks. Nowadays, and you can take it from this captain that just ran a offshore trip, these fish are still up on the beach. This year we see the seabass in the eastern part of the Island still in shallow waters from 50 and deeper, while here in the west we see few fish in less then 70 feet, with the majority in waters deeper then 100 feet. If you want big seabass, first you better have some good hangs in waters deeper then 100 feet or wrecks that do not get hit too often in around the same depths. Or if you are lucky enough to fish Block Island, just look for some bumpy bottom. Those big knotheads are moving around right now and they are spread out over open hard bottom. I know this since the draggers are catching some beautiful sized fish while towing around these areas. The smaller fish are on most of the pieces. They move off also, but they stay close to wrecks to lessen the chance of getting eaten by the big bluefish that are migrating south. Their are a number of boats fishing seabass now, and thats about the best chance for you to catch some fish, unless you have access to a private boat...if you do, contact me with a PM.
As for bait, larger baits do not necessarily mean bigger fish. A good sized piece of lighlty salted skimmer with part of the belly is by far the best bait. If you are fishing a area with pesky bergall life, or many smaller seabass and porgies around, use bergall strips, cut into thin long pennants.
One other thing you can do, is when you are getting bites, wait for a good tug...do not stick every little bite you feel...big seabass will pull your tip down, instead of pecking at the bait. These are relatively easy fish to catch, its just a matter of getting on the right spots.......
EC NEWELL MAN*
As for bait, larger baits do not necessarily mean bigger fish. A good sized piece of lighlty salted skimmer with part of the belly is by far the best bait. If you are fishing a area with pesky bergall life, or many smaller seabass and porgies around, use bergall strips, cut into thin long pennants.
One other thing you can do, is when you are getting bites, wait for a good tug...do not stick every little bite you feel...big seabass will pull your tip down, instead of pecking at the bait. These are relatively easy fish to catch, its just a matter of getting on the right spots.......
EC NEWELL MAN*
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EC, I still have some fluke strips in the freezer could they also be used in the bait mix, clams, squid and bergal. Thanks Lou
Lou, those fluke strips work well too. We would use the strips in the late summer and early fall and found they work as well as the bergall strips. In a pinch if you do not have the fluke strips, thin cut strips of dogfish will work. You will see larger fish biting these strips, and it gives you another bait to use, if you run out of clams, squid etc. Just remember that you want to make these strips long and thin, so they flutter....you do not want a chunk of flesh just sitting on the hook.
EC NEWELL MAN*
EC NEWELL MAN*
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