Makin Macks
 

Which Sibiki is best for macking mackerel in Southern Cal waters ? Does it help to add small pieces of squid or power bait to the hooks ? What technique works best to unhook macks without handling them and removing their protective slime? Thanks, bosco

I like the Mustad sabikis at Squidco best but I've caught a lot of bait on the $.89 models at Big 5 also. I like #10 or #12 hooks, those small ones will catch small and big bait. The squid or power bait might help, but a fish finder works best to find active bait or bait balls, they will usually bite anything in a frenzy. I keep a can of cat food in my tackle box to chum the water when I can find them but they are not biting.

No need to protect the slime, that won't affect them the day you are fishing. Wrap your hand around them, slightly squeezing the gills will make them stop kicking while you unhook.

Most important is to have a good bait tank or bait tube, a good one will keep bait alive and kicking all day.

Pretty much any size 6 or 8. I use cheapo $1 off ebay ones so I can change them frequently. Cut them in half if you want to get even more life out of them, six hooks is not really necesssary from the yak.

Sometimes, but usually not necessary.

Butterknife or a dehooker, but not really necessary to worry about their slime. As Art says, they are bait, not pets. I usually grab em behind the head to dehook. Spanish are spiky.

Use an iron or swimbait as the sinker and you'll get lot's of interesting bycatch while making bait.

I posted this on Allcoast but for a dehooker, make one out of a wire coat hanger. Make a small j bend on one end. About 3 inches up, make a loop using a dowel. About and inch up from that, make another loop using the dowel. Trim the hanger and tada, a dehooker. You just grap the hook with the small j until the hook is upside down and the bait should come off the sabiki no problem. Works great for smelt and sardines. Of course, its better if you pinch the barb down on the sabiki.

For bait, try old hotdog buns. I think they crumble better then cat food. One key is to not overfeed the fishys. Steady chum not a banquet, lol.

I like the Owner #6 hooks with the 30 lb main line and 20 lb branch lines. They seem to tangle less than the lighter lb test line.

I pinch the barbs down for an easier release.

The 7 ft. Ahi sabiki rod makes it quick and easy to get in the water when you see a bait ball on the fish finder.

I shorten the Owner sabiki's as they have 6 hooks, and are slightly long for the 7 ft Ahi rod.
.............................

Hey, that sure is a nice bait ball on that Garmin!!! :notworthy: Great article for the beginning kayak fisherman... :cool:

One other thing, I'd is get yourself a pool noodle, and cut ~6" piece to wrap your sabiki around when you are done using it. I dislike having a dedicated sabiki rod, unless bait has been scarce for some time. I just use my jig stick, then switch over to an iron.

I also bought a big pack of split rings at Squidco for a few bucks, that I put around the swivel connecting to my main line to prevent the hooks going into my guides. You can also use salmon beads, but the split ring is permanent.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...c/P1010040.jpg

chris

Damn Chris, pretty smart with the split ring. You sure you work for the state?:D

I like having a dedicated bait rod because even if I don't need bait, I'm always curious to find out what a ball on the meter really is. And one can never have enough shark chum.

He doesn't work for the city either... That's for sure. Well at least the accounting department.

Putting a fish trap or iron as the weight on the sabiki will get you some by-catch for sure. Jim Sammons said to me once if your fishing for bait, then just fish for bait. I only fish the sabiki with the weight now mainly because bait is really easy to get if you get into the kelp and jig in between the stringers, the weight at the bottom decreases snags on the kelp. Of course it is your preference.

For a sabiki stick, don't buy one. I made one out of pvc and clamped a shiatty reel to it. Use a torch or something to heat the end and hole where the line goes throw and then roll it to get rid of the sharp edges. :luxhello:

I made one out of a Tygon hose covered with pipe insulation. I can slip the weight down in the hose and then wrap the rest around the outside. It works well, but it looks like some sort of kinky sex toy:D

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...02_Medium_.jpg

A colleague of mine is into Zen meditation, and told me the following story. His Zen master emphasized focusing on a single activity. If you are going to eat, then eat. If you are going to read the newspaper, then read the newspaper. One day my friend saw his Zen master at breakfast with a bagel and the Sunday New York Times. When asked, the master responded, when you are going to eat and read the paper, eat and read the paper.

I fish.;)

:D lol

lol

Very informative thread. Very cool.

Chris, that pic of bait ball was the best one ever taken. :notworthy: Credit goes to Holy Mack.

I use the leftover rod handle to stash used sabiki, that sponge. It's got a hole in the middle to push the 2 oz sinker, perfect. 50c at Squidco, lasts for years.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/f...1/6/sabiki.JPG

I must say - I only have 12 or 15# test on my sabiki rig. :)

Fishing for bait setup. Spinning reel, light rod. I like.

I considered something heavier, but then somehow never did switch. I use that rig to cast rubber for checkers in the kelp... when I see them boiling, I like. :p

its like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get. If your going for bait, use an iron or a spoon for a weight. you never know when a quality fish might be under you. you have nothing to loose. Its fishing!:alberteinstein:

Thanks for the tips,a lotta good information to be had, for sure!!!!

Making bait
 

Some great information here from a lot of knowledgeable people, thanks to all of you. :cheers1: