LJ bait difficulties

[PescadorPete]

Lots of smelt lately which is likely what you are seeing. Macs have been holding deep. Here is my bait kit which always travels with me. I've only been skunked once this season with the bait.

Small SS tea ball (chum bucket) that snaps on by the sinker. Stuff it with canned sardines (or cat food) for chum. Dried squid (Ranch 99) to sweeten the hooks. Procure or Uni Goop to supercharge the dried squid.

Macs are cannibals so you may want to sacrifice pieces of the 1st one you catch to sweeten the hooks.

Multiple sabikis (fish skin, tinsel, squid tubes), 'cuz you never know what they want.

And the best chance is to be ON THE BAIT GROUNDS before grey light. I have always had the best luck catching bait at O'dark:30.

And if you can't catch bait, don't fret. Carry some jigs (Rapalas, Flat Falls, etc). No need to deep six a trip because you can't find the live stuff.

[ccacher1]

Originally Posted by PescadorPete

Lots of smelt lately which is likely what you are seeing. Macs have been holding deep. Here is my bait kit which always travels with me. I've only been skunked once this season with the bait.

Small SS tea ball (chum bucket) that snaps on by the sinker. Stuff it with canned sardines (or cat food) for chum. Dried squid (Ranch 99) to sweeten the hooks. Procure or Uni Goop to supercharge the dried squid.

Macs are cannibals so you may want to sacrifice pieces of the 1st one you catch to sweeten the hooks.

Multiple sabikis (fish skin, tinsel, squid tubes), 'cuz you never know what they want.

And the best chance is to be ON THE BAIT GROUNDS before grey light. I have always had the best luck catching bait at O'dark:30.

And if you can't catch bait, don't fret. Carry some jigs (Rapalas, Flat Falls, etc). No need to deep six a trip because you can't find the live stuff.

This was very helpful. Thanks for the insight.

[ctfphoto]

Never have a problem making bait

I use a bait cage with anchovies or sardines as well as tipping the sabiki hooks with anchovies or sardines.

Sometimes I add a double dropper loop above the sabiki for cut bait.

Thing is, I can only catch greenbacks but hardly ever spanish

[h2ofishfo]

Use smaller bait this year Spanish have been the go to tuna bait smaller ones = no short bites

[jorluivil]

Here's my advise, or is it advice..............anyways:

1. Launch early and expect to spend at least 1-2hours making bait...............by the way, 8am is not early.
2. Expect to peddle, pedal or paddle to multiple locations and if you're with a buddy spread out and stay in constant communication. If one of you finds the mother load make enough bait to share it, don't make enough just for yourself
3. After you've made bait don't stop making bait, if you see a bait ball make some more bait. You can expect to lose about 40-40% of your bait to the dogs, short bites, fouled hooks, etc.
4. Get yourself a Sabiki 500, they're about $20 but they're worth every cent.