Bait

[Chuck M.]

Does anyone know what kind of bait is available at the marina in Hopetwon?

[CR]

Ballyhoo and Squid.

R.

[SamFamAustin]

Hey Fish Whisperer, CR, which do you like better? I actually like squid because it's tough and can stay on the hook longer, but it grosses most folks out. Makes good chum even if I'm throwing metal and plastic, maybe a chaser. Ballyhoo can be expensive IMHO, and unless used as cut bait you need some fancy rigging for them, which I consider a lot of Mickey Mouse.

Conch guts, now that's a good 'un! I think it's free if you can handle it.
sammie

[CR]

I got "mad skills" for rigging Ballyhoo - and we usually go 1 /1 on
bait / fish caught when trolling.

I have caught every kind of Billfish except Swordfish available in Abaco, Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cudas, Muttonfish, Grouper, Sharks, and Jacks on Ballyhoo so I guess for me Ballyhoo work best.

I don't buy squid (cost too much) but we are going to try and catch some to try for bait this week.

I will let you know how we do.

R.

[SamFamAustin]

Hmm, like squid has to be imported from Florida or something? It's cheap stateside. Oh, and don't get me wrong, Ballyhoo are excellent bait, almost too darned good like golden croakers. For us, ballyhoo cost a real lot.

[DaGoose]

I got "mad skills" for rigging Ballyhoo - and we usually go 1 /1 on
bait / fish caught when trolling.

I have caught every kind of Billfish except Swordfish available in Abaco, Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cudas, Muttonfish, Grouper, Sharks, and Jacks on Ballyhoo so I guess for me Ballyhoo work best.

I don't buy squid (cost too much) but we are going to try and catch some to try for bait this week.

I will let you know how we do.

R.

CR,

I got "no skills" rigging ballyhoo but will gladly bring fresh frozen squid to Pete's on May 14 (some kind of forum meeting in between fishing???) if you want some.

Rick

[SamFamAustin]

Hey Rick, they sell a holder thang for ballyhoo because they have a beak and are hard to lead with a hook when trolling because the line goes off on a tangent. Thus the holder with hook. You show up at Pete's with some squid in a few hours the folks will be asking questions ... :eek:

[bobkalm]

Hi, Chuck---
The Grumpy Old Fishermen always bring our own Ballyhoo when we come visiting. Lighthouse Marina has in the past had outstanding 'hoo but the supply is iffy. If you plan to drag baits, call a few days in advance & ask "how many dozen do you have right now & when are you expecting more" . If your trip is planned around fishing, as ours is, you leave little to chance. If you want to bottom & reef fish, last night's dinner scraps will catch little bitty fish; those will catch little fish; those will catch skillet fish; put those skillet fish on a hook live & you will catch a fish big enough to throw back, according to the new regs!! Have fun!!!
The Grumpy Old Fisherman

[SusieAndAl]

Yep, the squid you can buy here is from US (Lund's out of Cape May).

The frozen ballyhoo is usually from Key Largo. You can buy it pre-rigged or bare. Pre-rigged costs a lot more and ain't worth it. Rigging a 'hoo is actually really easy as long as you use the spiral spring holder.

Boy, we sure wish we had R.'s ratio...we're usually 2 - 3 to one!

[SamFamAustin]

Great info Susie 'n' Al. To BobKalm and others, here's a trick I use for fishing grouper on a drift or on the hook. First catch a 3-5 inch baitfish. Then make one cut on the lateral side about an inch in front of the tail with a sharp knife, just down to the backbone and not too bad. I usually just put a 6/0 circle hook in the middle near the backbone in front of that. The slightly wounded fish will try to hide in the reef and will dive fast. That's where Mr. or Mrs. Grouper comes into play. No weight, free-line, mucho fun.
/sammie

[DaGoose]

OK..........11 kinda sleeps left and I'm BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS so please forgive me. :D

My offer for fresh frozen vacuum sealed squid is on if anybody wants some at Pete's on the 14th. It won't get mushy or smelly..........will be in the icechest with the kaliks. ;)

Rock Steady has kindly provided advice and after a few flesh leaks, got the haywire twist down I think. Bringing the newbie springs as well.

If there is anything (fishing wise mostly) that we can bring down, just send us a PM.

Tight Lines,

Rick

[Chuck M.]

Thanks for the replies all.....I am placing an order for Ballyhoo from Baitmasters in Miami, and will bring that with us, but wanted to know what was available as backup. I'll probably order a box of squid as well, based on what you guys have said about squid availabiluty. I don't plan on using the squid for trolling, but it does make for a very sturdy bait for bottom and in-shore fishing. I once caught a 40+lb redfish in the surf on Souoth Cocoa Beach using a piece of cut squid that had been sitting in the surf for over an hour. It is now my official "go-to" bait".....

[SamFamAustin]

I'm quite jealous of y'all and I was just kidding about the squid-smell. But I can say I've caught bonita before and used strips of it for trolling - not bad. And one time we got a 5# box of squid and it was HUGE, not even a whole squid, with a large mantle and tentacles. If the tentcles are real big, they should troll pretty good as well. Remember to hook like for mackerels with one hook after the other on steel wire, since fish like them and the Wheehoo are "short" strikers. I'm looking forward to seeing that big ole fish-catching grin in one of your pictures! ;)
sammie

[Chuck M.]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Sam: I can guarantee that I

[Rock Steady]

I got "mad skills" for rigging Ballyhoo - and we usually go 1 /1 on
bait / fish caught when trolling.

I have caught every kind of Billfish except Swordfish available in Abaco, Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cudas, Muttonfish, Grouper, Sharks, and Jacks on Ballyhoo so I guess for me Ballyhoo work best.

I don't buy squid (cost too much) but we are going to try and catch some to try for bait this week.

I will let you know how we do.

R.
Hey R.

I'd like to see that ballyhoo rig...I'm sure it's a doozey. Have you considered soaking some squid at night and try for a sword or two?

c

[CR]

Rock,

My plans exactly, we are going to catch some squid and try this weekend.
I will let you know if we do any good. We know they are around here so it is worth a try.

R.

[Rock Steady]

R.

Yep,

I believe as you do...good luck...and I hope some balloons will disappear for you.

c

[SamFamAustin]

I wish ya luck with the ladies ... the sword should be heading up towards the Bight and Cape Sable Island pretty quick here, so now's the time. :)

[Rock Steady]

Hey Sammie,

The yahoes have told me the darlin's are out there...just past the reef.
I sure hope R. has some luck. It's kinda a yet unexplored possibility which, to me, is very exciting.

c