Susquehanna Flats Jamboree lure selection

[wfauby]

What about live or cut bait? What/where in that area is available? Has anyone ever used the packaged mullets? They don't look appetizing.

[reel-em-in]

Before the ban, I've had luck with live and fresh herring. I'd guess that fresh mullet would work too. I never had any luck with frozen herring. I think the freezing/thawing makes them less appitizing to the stripers.

[wfauby]

I like live bait for other species I fish, but I don't hav a clue @ liveling for rocks...but l like soaking live bait, while I wrk a lure. Circle hooks a must

[DonV]

I like live bait for other species I fish, but I don't hav a clue @ liveling for rocks...but l like soaking live bait, while I wrk a lure. Circle hooks a must

I know up at the dam many use white perch to liveline. Generally seems to work well right up against the dam but I have no idea if they will work well on the flats.

[archeryrob]

Correct if I am wrong, but I though using gamefish as bait was illegal in MD? I saw guys get busted by the warden using cut up sunfish for catfish years ago and remember reading it in the handbook year ago. Did they change that now?

[DonV]

Correct if I am wrong, but I though using gamefish as bait was illegal in MD? I saw guys get busted by the warden using cut up sunfish for catfish years ago and remember reading it in the handbook year ago. Did they change that now?

I just went through the book and saw nothing saying it is illegal. I may be wrong and have just missed it. Hope someone else can maybe enlighten us. would be nice to know for sure.

[chimo]

Correct if I am wrong, but I though using gamefish as bait was illegal in MD? I saw guys get busted by the warden using cut up sunfish for catfish years ago and remember reading it in the handbook year ago. Did they change that now?

This one screws me up every time because it varies so much from one state to the next... I looked through the book but didn't see anything. Did see there aren't any restrictions on white perch caught in tidal areas as long as they are caught by hook and line. The flats are tidal so should be good to go there, freshwater.... ??? Livelined 'em more than once at the BB and other areas when I couldn't find any spot.

[Mmacro]

I asked MD DNR specifically about sunfish as bait and they said it was fine. There were some policies about the catching of them for bait...
But I don't remember exactly what it was. I think it was about daily limits. But for sure they said it was allowed to use them as bait. Ill see if I still have the email.

[nay_sayer]

White perch is not a gamefish. You can use it as bait. An old timer once told me that Stripers don't like their dorsal spines so they don't eat them much. Not sure how true that is but if they worked, the commercial guys would be using them (which they aren't).

[sparky1423]

What about bucktails with a teaser/trailer? Haven't seen them mentioned. Thought possibly of using some of my smaller sized ones instead of a jig head. No good?

Also would like to know what line weights everyone is using. I'm planning on 15 lb. mono but am feeling a little unsure.

Christ I'm excited. Can't wait. First time.

I caught a 28" rock today on 10lb fluoro today with no problems, it was a good fight too.

Dumb question about the barbless hooks for trolling. Does this count for trolling xraps and rattletraps or is this for tube and worm thing? So I guess there is no chance of a raw shrimp on a jighead without crushing the barb?

[DonV]

I caught a 28" rock today on 10lb fluoro today with no problems, it was a good fight too.

Dumb question about the barbless hooks for trolling. Does this count for trolling xraps and rattletraps or is this for tube and worm thing? So I guess there is no chance of a raw shrimp on a jighead without crushing the barb?

Thanks. I went with 14lb. Casts pretty nice and the little extra makes me feel better. Out right now in the garage straightening up the rod & reels. I'd think I'd risk not crushing the barb in the kayak. May be a grey area and could get you in trouble I guess.

[kayak456]

about the whit perch thin, last year spot were very scare in the bay & white perch were everywhere, we would get 20 perch to one spot, so we livlined the perch from our boat instead of spot, yes perch do work & very well. cute off the dorsal fin with scissors. we caught much bigger fish with perch even though the perch werent big, 25-32 inch fish, which is big for the summer. maybe only bigger fish can tolerate the spines?

[DonV]

about the whit perch thin, last year spot were very scare in the bay & white perch were everywhere, we would get 20 perch to one spot, so we livlined the perch from our boat instead of spot, yes perch do work & very well. cute off the dorsal fin with scissors. we caught much bigger fish with perch even though the perch werent big, 25-32 inch fish, which is big for the summer. maybe only bigger fish can tolerate the spines?

Question I still have. Is livelining a good technique on the flats in the spring or is it a better summer technique? I know most of what I have seen at the dam has been later in the year and the water environment is totally different(deeper and heavy current). I'd also have some concerns that it would cause more of a chance of deep/swallowed hookups.

Want to offer a sincere thanks to all the been so generous with thier tips and time. Thanks!! Invaluable to a newcomer.

[kayak456]

Question I still have. Is livelining a good technique on the flats in the spring or is it a better summer technique? I know most of what I have seen at the dam has been later in the year and the water environment is totally different(deeper and heavy current). I'd also have some concerns that it would cause more of a chance of deep/swallowed hookups.

Want to offer a sincere thanks to all the been so generous with thier tips and time. Thanks!! Invaluable to a newcomer.

well fish still eat year round so im sure they would still hit it...

[DaveFX35]

I am pretty sure is Barbless only when trolling. from the website on catch and release season "Barbless hooks are required when trolling."

I know jigs and BA as known as the go to lure, but I watched guys fishing with them all day last year. It was the only lure they brought and they could not buy a fish. That was last year, so who knows, it might be the go to lure this year. It depends on the fish. I am going to throw 20 different lures in 2 to 4 hours until they start pounding on something. Bring lots of different types of lures!!

The DNR definition of trolling is interesting and sounds like it it may not apply to us since we don't fall under 'mechanical' power.

E. Fishing Restrictions for the period March 1 through the 3rd Friday in April. The restrictions in this section apply to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries that are not closed in accordance with §D(1) of this regulation. During the period from March 1 through the third Friday in April:

(1) A person recreationally angling:
(a) When using fish, crabs, or worms as bait, or processed bait, shall use:
(i) Circle hooks; or
(ii) "J" hooks with a gap of less than 1/2 inch between the point and the shank;
(b) May not use stinger hooks; and
(c) Shall use barbless hooks while trolling; and

(2) No more than six lines, regardless of the number of people on board a vessel, may be used for recreationally angling from a boat when trolling.

Definitions:
“Stinger Hook” means any hook which trails another hook, either by direct physical attachment to the lead hook or by a connective device such as a swivel or chain, and is part of the same bait or lure.

“Trolling” means the method of angling in which fish are attracted to a lure or bait being trailed from a boat which is being moved by mechanical power.

Copied and pasted from DNR. Thoughts anyone?