Finding bait without a fish finder
 

Wonder if anyone could give some assistance on making bait without a fish finder. I'm new and headed out tomorrow for a first run with the new kayak. I don't have a fish finder yet and am curious what guys without them do to find bait? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


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Just drag you sabiki behind your kayak, if there's bait it'll hit the sabiki. Whenever I have trouble finding bait that exactly what I do.

Bait and wait

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Thanks, guess you just drop the sabiki and paddle around for a bit.


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Yup. I tip it with squid. If there is bait they will find it.

Prior to having a fish finder I would:

Tip my sabiki with squid
Troll my sabiki behind the kayak
Look for bait on the surface
Chum
Hug the kelp line, casting my sabiki

watch for birds eating bait and baits puddling at the surface

Do you put squid on every hook?


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Yes. I cut it into small squares. I noticed that they will often bite the squid tipped hooks first so I started adding it to all.

You can cut it at home and put it in a baggie but I always forget and end up having to cut them in my hatch. Lol

Ideally you should buy a few squids at an asian market and cut them and freeze them in separate baggies and take one out when needed.

best advice
 

This is the best advise for finding bait without a sonar unit...!

Probably best to have only 3 hooks on your ganion. Too many hooks makes for a real mess when you find bait that wants to bite. Also dangerous when trying to deal with 6 macs .....hooks flying everywhere.

Some days this is the only way I get bait, even with sonar, when the baits are on the run.

This forum is great!!! Appreciate all the advise. Getting ready to launch into some rather big surf. Hopefully I don't have to post a lost all my gear story in about 5 minutes. Again thank you all for the advise.


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Consider pinching down the barbs on your sabiki hooks. Inevitably, sooner or later one of the hooks will find your fingers. They're sharp little bastards and much easier to get out without the barb. Plus, the bait comes off much easier.
Just a thought. Good luck out there.

Of course keep your eyes scanning for signs of bait. But you can ask some one with a meter near you if you can shadow them. Doesn't hurt to ask. I'd nevervdo this for fish or structure. But some times a couple guys on a bait spot can hokdca school under them.

Bro. There's only like 5,000 mackerel down there. You gotta keep the super secret bait honey hole quiet when you're on top if it ;)