Page 43 - Waves March 2019

Sardines have their plus points when down—a twitch, pull, fall motion
being fished, such as a lot of silver will show you something of what
flash and a relatively soft body mass your hoped-for target, red snap-
that somewhat aids in hookups. Their per or whatever, will see. You’ll be
shortcoming is when they thaw and impressed too, it’s an edge that could
come up to the air temperature of a turn a “looker” into a “biter”; give it
summer day offshore. At that point, a try, it works for me and it will-work
they are very mushy and hard to keep for you...l almost guarantee it!
on a hook. Frozen ones should be
thawed in a shaded area; don’t has-
ten their thaw by spraying them with
water. This thaws them unevenly and
washes out some of their scent. I
usually take a 5 lb. Box and put it in
rod tip pointed directly at my line’s a 2-gallon Ziploc bag; sardines only -
entry point into the water. When us- no box or plastic liner bag. I take this
ing a circle hook, at the bite I let the bag of frozen sardines, bang it on the
line come tight, then load the rod; deck gently (yes, you can do that),
most likely the “C” hook is set, and and this separates the sardines from
the tug-a-war is on. When a “J” type each other. I let them thaw somewhat
hook is used, a harder, faster sweep in a shaded corner and ice them as
of the rod tip may be necessary to set needed to keep their firmness to a
the hook. Remember, try to aggres- fish-able level.
sively set a circle hook and you will
most likely just reel in a “ghost” of a Squid on the chin of your baitfish
fish. may be the difference a picky pred-
ator is looking for; don’t forget that
The baitfish and squid head will a critical element is the squid eyes
“mask” the gap between the shank placement. Even if hooked through Patrick
and point somewhat on a circle hook, the eyes instead of between them, the
but the soft squid head readily com- tentacles and the scent will do their
presses at the strike. I haven’t had a job...right is better, go between the Lemire
problem hooking up when using it eyes with your hook.
on a red snapper, kingfish, ling and
dolphin, etc., over the years. Give this combination a look in
the water at boat side, about 2 ft.

Waves Magazine | March 2019 Issue | 43