to trap hook? or not trap hook?.. that is the question. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

GregAndrew · 04-29-2012, 05:31 PM

If you are getting taps, the tail is chewed up and no hookups it is probably Lizzardfish. Small Halibut usually hit baits very aggressively which will not feel like a tap. If your baits are coming back without clear vertical wound lines, where it struggled to get free from the clamped jaws, that can also indicate Lizzardfish. I have seen them shred up Sardines nearly as long as they were.

As far as Trap hooks, the answer is based on how you are going to fish them. If you sit still or move slowly enough that you are not in constant contact with your sinker, I would not recommend a trap hook. I would also not recommend it if you like to let your fish eat your bait. Besides sub-legals there are other species that can become foul hooked, given enough time, even when using large baits.

tasteslikechikn54 · 04-29-2012, 06:01 PM

I could def. See the rake marks when I brought up the bait... But, as far as the type of fishing we were drifting and soaking the bait... Outgoing current was a pain in the ass, but i noticed the close I got to the shore, the less the current would affect my movement... I know ill be out there again on saturday.

I noticed another beach launch area, almost adjacent to the bait barge, just north of the subs... Anyone happen to know how to get to that launch. I would assume it would cut 30 minutes off the paddle to the flats from shelter island boat launch...

slobslayer · 04-29-2012, 06:19 PM

That would be awesome if you could launch there? Is it close to ballast point? I've got a halibut hole close to there I might hit Saturday too we pulled four halis over 20 lbs in a few hours there a few weeks ago.

tasteslikechikn54 · 04-29-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slobslayer

That would be awesome if you could launch there? Is it close to ballast point? I've got a halibut hole close to there I might hit Saturday too we pulled four halis over 20 lbs in a few hours there a few weeks ago.

I looked into it a bit further, and it appears to have public access. I guess its near Lawrence street, off rosecrans... I'm gonna drive out there on Wednesday and have a look... If parking is not an issue, I will def. Look into launching from there on Saturday morning...

It will def. Cut the paddling down compared to shelter island...

tacmik · 04-30-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasteslikechikn54

I looked into it a bit further, and it appears to have public access. I guess its near Lawrence street, off rosecrans... I'm gonna drive out there on Wednesday and have a look... If parking is not an issue, I will def. Look into launching from there on Saturday morning...

It will def. Cut the paddling down compared to shelter island...

If what you are looking at is Lawrence street. It is accessable for launching. However, it is only two hour parking. Residential area.

Croaker Dave · 04-30-2012, 10:01 AM

I only use circle hooks when fishing halibuts. There's nothing worse than wanting to release a fish and finding trebles stuck in it's throat. Shorts, bycatch, sandbass, C&R, all suffer. I'm mostly a C&R guy on hali's anyway. I see trap hooks as more of a crude & cruel method used by commercial boats and fishermen who want to troll over large areas faster with heavy line without having to pay constant attention. I use circles and finesse, light line and light drag, paying attention to my lines when slow-trolling and quickly give 'em slack when I get a tap. Wait for them to swim off with the bait and then set the hook. Corner of the mouth 100% of the time. I don't think I'm missing any fish with this technique, and I don't like dealing with setting up baits on trap hooks anyway.

William Novotny · 04-29-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slobslayer

That would be awesome if you could launch there? Is it close to ballast point? I've got a halibut hole close to there I might hit Saturday too we pulled four halis over 20 lbs in a few hours there a few weeks ago.

I call bs with no pictures.

slobslayer · 04-29-2012, 08:48 PM

I wish I had the pictures to show for it! It was an awesome day my lil sister caught her PB at 22 lbs on light tackle I had the whole thing on video. But somebody decided they needed everything in my car more than I did so they broke the window and stole everything from my tools to pens in my center console while I was surfing.

Vikingj · 04-29-2012, 09:10 PM

Use a trap hook with big sardine or mac baits, use a single hook with anchovie or little sardines.

04-29-2012, 05:31 PM	#1
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	If you are getting taps, the tail is chewed up and no hookups it is probably Lizzardfish. Small Halibut usually hit baits very aggressively which will not feel like a tap. If your baits are coming back without clear vertical wound lines, where it struggled to get free from the clamped jaws, that can also indicate Lizzardfish. I have seen them shred up Sardines nearly as long as they were. As far as Trap hooks, the answer is based on how you are going to fish them. If you sit still or move slowly enough that you are not in constant contact with your sinker, I would not recommend a trap hook. I would also not recommend it if you like to let your fish eat your bait. Besides sub-legals there are other species that can become foul hooked, given enough time, even when using large baits.

04-29-2012, 06:01 PM	#2
tasteslikechikn54 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: san diego, ca. Posts: 113	I could def. See the rake marks when I brought up the bait... But, as far as the type of fishing we were drifting and soaking the bait... Outgoing current was a pain in the ass, but i noticed the close I got to the shore, the less the current would affect my movement... I know ill be out there again on saturday. I noticed another beach launch area, almost adjacent to the bait barge, just north of the subs... Anyone happen to know how to get to that launch. I would assume it would cut 30 minutes off the paddle to the flats from shelter island boat launch...

04-29-2012, 06:19 PM	#3
slobslayer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Santee Posts: 384	That would be awesome if you could launch there? Is it close to ballast point? I've got a halibut hole close to there I might hit Saturday too we pulled four halis over 20 lbs in a few hours there a few weeks ago.

04-30-2012, 10:01 AM	#6
Croaker Dave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: OC Posts: 171	I only use circle hooks when fishing halibuts. There's nothing worse than wanting to release a fish and finding trebles stuck in it's throat. Shorts, bycatch, sandbass, C&R, all suffer. I'm mostly a C&R guy on hali's anyway. I see trap hooks as more of a crude & cruel method used by commercial boats and fishermen who want to troll over large areas faster with heavy line without having to pay constant attention. I use circles and finesse, light line and light drag, paying attention to my lines when slow-trolling and quickly give 'em slack when I get a tap. Wait for them to swim off with the bait and then set the hook. Corner of the mouth 100% of the time. I don't think I'm missing any fish with this technique, and I don't like dealing with setting up baits on trap hooks anyway.

04-29-2012, 08:48 PM	#8
slobslayer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Santee Posts: 384	I wish I had the pictures to show for it! It was an awesome day my lil sister caught her PB at 22 lbs on light tackle I had the whole thing on video. But somebody decided they needed everything in my car more than I did so they broke the window and stole everything from my tools to pens in my center console while I was surfing.

04-29-2012, 09:10 PM	#9
Vikingj Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dana Point area Posts: 438	Use a trap hook with big sardine or mac baits, use a single hook with anchovie or little sardines.