NSP 2-22-11

[boanro]

Again went to the NSP. Got there about 630am. Wife was with me this time. It took a little while to get started, but once it did, Mackeral were consistently coming over the rail. Once again, the sabiki was the best working rig to use. I normally, have plenty, but after the other day, I was caught short this time. Had to buy from local shop and a few more from the pier store. Gets expensive that way. I usually buy in bulk online Might be time for me to start making my own. I could make them with a lot heavier line also. That brings me to a question. If my whole line gets cut off above where the rigs are tied to the line, what is doing that. Ahead of the sabiki, I use about 6"of wire. he wire is secured very well to the 14lb mono on the rod. The cutoffs are above the wire. . Lost about 3 rigs this way, and of course many were lost one hook at a time. Mackeral were all either 12" or 17". Also got a nice bluefish in the mix. And wife snagged one trout which wasn't worth the time to check the regs if they were keepable or not. Used some sand fleas looking for Sheepies. Nada on that.

[riverviewsteve]

boanro if that was a silver trout you don't have to worry
about it anyway. There's no size or closed season on
them. If it was a spotted seatrout they must be 15inches
and in season. Limit 5 and only 1 over 20 inches. Don't know
if they are in season now or not but the guys in the bait shop
would know. Also did you have something shiney above
your sabiki. Like your swivel or something. That may possibley
have been what they hit.
riverviewsteve USN, RETIRED and love fishing.

[boanro]

Yeah, you could be right about that. The line is tied with a swivel. I guess if I make my own, I can do away with the swivel. A heavier line will be enough. In 2 days I lost about 6 rigs this way.

[arrantzale]

Yeah macks are notorious for eating swivels. They are the whole reason I learned the uni to uni knot.

I just cant bring myself to fish for macks with a sabiki. I dont know why but I feel like its cheating. I know its not illegal or anything but if I'm going to do that I should just tie a 30 foot leader with 6 hooks and fish for grouper that way too. Just my hard headed opinion that Sabikis are bait catching rigs thats all.

[millertimemgd]

I am going to be headed down to the pier later this afternoon. What size Sabiki do you use? I have not been fishing i a few weeks and I am dieing for a tight line!

Also what should I use for for some grouper fishing rigs?

[dadflyer]

millertimemgd

The higher pound test , the fewer break-oofs and bite offs. On a previous post, someone suggested using #50 test with four #6 hooks and a weight ; he states he didn't get bit off .

I believe the more common ones available are arround 10 - 17 # test for the leader ; the mainline is heavier. Get the heaviest test available as the macks are not leader shy, but the use of wire leaders will reduce the bite.

Also , avoid any shiney object (swivel) above your lure as they will get bit off ( think bluefish).

Dadflyer

[havetofish]

Use to get the Mustad or Marathon #14 Sabiki's from Wally World. 50 lb main and 30 lb leader and catch the small ones 3 at a time. Don't see them there anymore. But some places still carry them.

The 12 inchers cut in big chunks were great grouper bait.

[riverviewsteve]

havetofish I have been buying mine at Southeastern
on North Florida in Tampa and they have sizes all the
way up to 20 now. I think the 14s were 30/40 line.
The 20s are 40/60 and they have 16s and 18s also.
Plus all the smaller ones. They have decent prices also.
Having said all this I still recommend keeping the shiny
stuff off. It doesn't do much good to have a 40/60
sabiki if you have a shiny swivel above it somewhere.
Goodbye sabiki. I hope to be out on the NSP sometime
after the 1st of the month to try out some of the heavier
ones I bought. Tight Lines and full coolers.
riverviewsteve

[boanro]

Thanks for the info. I may try to get there tomorrow before work. If I do, I will probably do NSP on Sunday again