Posted by How to catch them on July 11, 2007 at 04:26:35:
In Reply to: Re: bait posted by Dean on July 10, 2007 at 22:19:16:
You can use anything from a lantern or floating crappie light all the way up to a 400 watt High Pressure Sodium (HPS) light whiich will also requre a generator.
It works best on nights when the moon isn't bright like right now as we are nearing a new moon.
It will take a while for the bait to come in to the light, the small threadfins will come in first then the blueback herring will come in usually a little deeper.
To catch them you'll need eithr a cast net or sabaki(sp?) rig (also called gold hooks). You can jig the gold hook (sabaki) rig at varioius depths until you find where the bait are. They will attack the gold hooks and bite them, you are not trying to snag them. They usually bite while the rig is moving down. Rasie your rod tip up to 11 oclock and and let it down counting about 4 or 5 seconds to just above the water. When you get a blueback on, it will often feel like your line landed on a something and sometimes you'll feel him fighting right away. You you get one on, don't jerk to set the hook, just raise your rod tip and start reeling. I like to use an ultra-light spinning rig with 4 to 6 lb test line and a 1/2 oz sinker on the bottom of the sabaki rig. Just ask any decent tackle store if they have sabaki or gold hook rigs.
You'll also need a decent tank to keep the bait in. Handle them very gently, trying to get them into the tank with out touching them if possible. When you get them up, grab the hook shaft and try to push them off and let them fall into your bait tank. You may have to handle them but if you do, make sure you wet your hands first.
Catching bait that way can be a lot of fun in it's self.
Good Fishin'
"Duck"