Finding bait without a fish finder - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dillon207 · 08-08-2017, 06:33 PM

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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jorluivil · 08-08-2017, 06:34 PM

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.

jrip · 08-08-2017, 06:36 PM

Bait and wait

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Dillon207 · 08-08-2017, 06:45 PM

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

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GTboosted · 08-08-2017, 06:51 PM

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

summers in kuwait · 08-08-2017, 06:55 PM

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

FullFlavorPike · 08-08-2017, 08:17 PM

watch for birds eating bait and baits puddling at the surface

Dillon207 · 08-08-2017, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTboosted

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

Do you put squid on every hook?

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GTboosted · 08-08-2017, 09:09 PM

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.

Saba Slayer · 08-09-2017, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

watch for birds eating bait and baits puddling at the surface

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

Murray · 08-09-2017, 07:33 AM

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.

FullFlavorPike · 08-09-2017, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

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

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

Dillon207 · 08-09-2017, 08:26 AM

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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Southman · 08-09-2017, 08:41 AM

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.

taggermike · 08-10-2017, 10:00 AM

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.

FullFlavorPike · 08-10-2017, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taggermike

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

08-08-2017, 06:33 PM	#1
Dillon207 Junior Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 14	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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-08-2017, 06:34 PM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	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. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

08-08-2017, 06:51 PM	#5
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	Yup. I tip it with squid. If there is bait they will find it. __________________ -Beto

08-08-2017, 09:09 PM	#9
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	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. __________________ -Beto

08-08-2017, 06:36 PM	#3
jrip Water dog Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Burbank Posts: 77	Bait and wait Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

08-08-2017, 06:45 PM	#4
Dillon207 Junior Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 14	Thanks, guess you just drop the sabiki and paddle around for a bit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-08-2017, 06:55 PM	#6
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	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

08-08-2017, 08:17 PM	#7
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809	watch for birds eating bait and baits puddling at the surface

08-09-2017, 07:33 AM	#11
Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 326	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.

08-09-2017, 08:26 AM	#13
Dillon207 Junior Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 14	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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-09-2017, 08:41 AM	#14
Southman Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Laguna Niguel Posts: 89	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.

08-10-2017, 10:00 AM	#15
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	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.