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Salt water baits and their uses
Earlier, we looked at numerous fresh water baits and how they are
presented during the fishing experience. Many baits that are used in fresh
water can also be successfully used in salt water. For example, sand worms are
used for flounder, but during short tide when sand worms are in short supply
night crawlers can be substituted with good success. Remember, fish are
opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever is available if they are hungry
enough.
 Sand worms, clam worms and blood worms are the most common
marine worms that are used by fishermen along the New England coast to the New
York shoreline. These marine worms are collected from New York to Maine but the
worm collection industry is centered around Wiscasset, Maine. Sand worms and
clam worms are the same worm but are called different names based on just where
you are along the coast. The sand worm is the most common worm used by anglers
in New England and is often called a flounder worm by local fishermen. In some
parts of the are sand worms are also called rag worms. Sand worms are found and
harvested from the mudflats found in harbors and estuaries. Diggers will turn
over acres of mud during a low tide and pick a couple of worms from each forkful
of mud. It is back breaking work and as a result the cost of sand worms and blood
worms can be high. Sand worms generally run between 10 and 18 inches. The
larger worms demand a premium as they are not as common as the smaller worms..
Just about every species of fish that swims in the ocean will eat sand and
blood worms. Sand worms have a greenish tint and have ragged, fringelike sides,
thus the name rag worms. Sand worms also have teeth that can be extended
outside the mouth,
 Bloodworms are usually found in the same areas as
sandworms. Diggers will generally have a smaller collection bucket to store the
bloodworms as they are harvested. Bloodworms are smoother worms and resemble
night crawlers except for the fact that they have teeth that can be extended
beyond the mouth and have a small snout. Bloodworms are not as plentiful as
sand worms but are preferred by some anglers.
Sandworms are used by
fishermen to attract flounder, cod, pollock, haddock and most groundfish.
Striper fishermen like sandworms but prefer the largest worms that are
available.. Bloodworms can be substituted for sandworms in most instances and
in some areas are actually preferred by striper fishermen. Both species of
worms are difficult to keep for extended periods of time and require great care.
Sandworms can be kept for only a few days during summer. They must be kept
damp and in a refrigerator. Bloodworms can usually be kept successfully for
about a week and should be kept the same way as sands.
 The next bait
that we will look at is shrimp. Shrimp is a popular bait that has gained in use
over the past few years. Shrimp is a great bait for cod. Not only do cod
fishermen use shrimp but a wide variety of species will quickly go after an
offering of fresh shrimp. Some of these species include snook, bonefish,
weakfish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, spotted sea bass, striped bass,
halibut, bluefish and snappers. Although gaining in popularity in northern
waters, more southern fishermen make use of shrimp. Most species of shrimp,
including edible shrimp, are used for bait. Many southern bait dealers will
sell live shrimp but even dead shrimp and parts of shrimp can be quite
effective. Shrimp can be hooked through the tail or through the head.
Fishermen that are looking for surface swimming species will generally hook the
shrimp through the V section by the head. By using this method of hooking the
shrimp. The bait appears to be natural which is what all fishermen strive for.
This also allows the shrimp to swim freely/
Sea clams and clam necks
are used along the New England coast by cod and haddock fishermen and have
proven to be quite effective. Generous portions of sea clams or clam necks are
used to bait tandem rigged cod and haddock rigs and fished on the bottom. Sea
clams are also used successfully along Plum Island by fishermen looking for
striped bass. They are presented on rigs positioned anywhere from the surface
to the bottom but the preferred position is on the bottom. Sea clams and clam
necks can be sliced in thin strips and used to catch flounder and pollock. When
using clam necks make sure you take the time to strip the black skin off the
neck. This added step adds to the effectiveness of the bait. During those
periods when the fishing seems to be slow, perk up the action by cutting your
bait differently. Clams can be presented in chunks, strips or a combination of
both. When working currents I like to take a large sea clam and cut it so that
the bait will have a chunk, followed by a strip. This is usually realized by
cutting the clam in a thin spiral strip in a circular manner around the clam.
This allows the tail of the clam to move freely in the current, helping to
attract the fish.
Herring is a most popular bait during the first part
of the season. Herring can be presented in strips, chunks, combinations and
also as just the skin. The skin can be peeled off the fish and used in
combination with a jig, for cod or as an addition to swimming plugs and poppers.
Many fishermen like to add the skin to soft plastic lures adding movement and a
scent to the artificial bait. When fishing chunks of herring for stripers, take
the chunk and peel back the skin 3/4's the way around the chunk. This will
leave a flap of skin that will be active in a current and will look like a
swimming bait to the aggressive predator. Herring can also be trolled.
Although mostly striper fishermen will use herring for bait, many cod fishermen
will present herring especially when cod display stomachs full of herring.
Mackerel is another bait that I s popular among marine fishermen.
Striper and bluefish anglers seem to favor mackerel as it's oil concentrations
help to attract feeding predators. Mackerel can be presented in the same ways
as herring. Fishermen are quick to admit the mackerel chunks, fillets and
combos are much tougher than herring pieces and stay on the line for a longer
period of time. Mackerel makes a great trolling bait. It should be rigged so
that there is a slight curve to the fish. This allows the trolled bait to move
through the water in a large circular motion. When trolling baits run your
leader through the vent and pull the hook tight so that the curve of the hook
exits the body at the vent. Make sure that you sew the mouth of the bait closed
as well as the gills. If you skip this step, it is quite likely the force of
the water passing the fish will rip apart the offering making it useless,.
Trolling tinker mackerel is generally preferred over the larger fish, Mackerel
can be presented live with great success. Live mackerel are a favorite with
stripers and bluefish.
 Live and dead eels make for great presentations
especially during the hours from dusk to dark. Anglers present live eels below
floats and balloons. Dead eels are mostly trolled. When presenting live eels
over a rocky bottom, take your line and place it in a groove positioned off
center in a square piece of Styrofoam. When the fish strikes, the line will
pull down on the foam causing it to flip free allowing you to fight the fish
without the added drag of a float or balloon. Another hint that takes the
difficulty out of following your bait during the dark hour is to use a balloon
as a float. Take a 1 ½ inch light stick and insert it into a balloon. This
acts as a lighted float allowing you to follow your bait. Live eels should be
hooked through the tail to avoid the frustration of tangled baits and line.
Because the eel will swim this method keeps the line behind the eel and avoids
tangled. By hooking the eel in the mouth, the line is positioned along the side
of the eel as it swims making tangles much more likely. The only thing that
must be remembered when using this technique make sure you give the bass enough
time to swallow the bait until it reaches the hook. Bass will take a bait head
first, so be patient.
Sand eels are a popular bait among cod and haddock
fishermen. Some fishermen will also use sand eels for stripers. Sand eels can
be used along or as a teaser. Sand eels are harvested generally by net along
Stellwagen bank where they gather during the early part of the season but can be
present throughout the summer. Sand eels should be hooked through the head and
usually are about six inches long. Although most fish will gladly take sand
eels, they are generally used by cod, haddock,= and striper fishermen. Bass
fishermen along the Cape seem to be more receptive to idea of using sand eels.
If you decide to freeze the sand eels for later use, make sure that you freeze
them in a plastic container fill with water. This will keep the bait in
excellent condition by preventing freezer burn.
 Squid is generally
caught under the lights along piers and floats by recreational fishermen during
their arrival in late spring. They are frozen and used for bait throughout the
year. Squid can be used just like clams and can be effective for many species
of fish. Squid can be presented whole, in chunks or as a strip. Cut the squid
into strips lengthwise so that you can take full advantage of the tentacles.
Squid can be trolled singlely, in tandem, as a daisy chain or rigged on a
umbrella rig.
Crabs are also a very productive bait and are popular
offerings for bass, especially around the Cape. When using crabs for the many
different species of fish that feed on the bottom, remove the large claws to
prevent the crab from grabbing structure and holding on. Use the claws for
chum. Hook the crab at the joint that the claw was removed from. Present the
crab around structure and use a float or balloon to keep it out of the rocks.
Most fish and crustaceans that are found along the waters edge can be
used as bait. Venture outside the box and try new offerings, you might find a
new and productive bait.
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