how do ya'll hook croakers. i've always hooked em behind the anal fin when free lining or bottom fishing and under the dorsal fin in a meaty area when fishing under a cork.

Above the lateral line near it's tail fin ........

On the top, about 1/2 way between dorsal fin and tail, above lateral line.

Yes, that's where I'm hooking

I try to hook them in the corner of the trouts mouth.. ;-) JK

Are you slinging some off? or just wondering what others are doing.. I HATE slinging them off.. like throwing a dollar bill out the window at 55mph.

I've used all the above... seems like the back hooked ones stay on a little better than the anal fin location, but they need a little more weight or a bigger rattle to keep them from swimming up. If freelined Ilike to hook them behind the anal fin.

Slinging bait is inevitable on some percent of casts, especially on the 2nd or 3rd or 4th cast. It helps to use a thicker hook, because thinner hooks pull through more easily. It also helps to use a long, gentle, swinging casting motion without a lot of bend in the rod. Putting the sinker 3-4" above the croaker helps to, so less of the casting tension is pulling on the hook (it's pulling on the sinker directly, reducing the tension on the hook).

Near anal fin below lateral line when free lining. The weight of the hook will keep the croaker swimming in an upright position.... So I've heard.

Through the nose hole

You can also Trim the Dorsal Fins off. This makes the fish swim erratically.

[quote=V-Bottom]You can also Trim the Dorsal Fins off. This makes the fish swim erratically. [
/quote]
i do this with piggy perch. never tried it with croaker. really, i've caught as many fish with piggy's as with croaker.

Trout can't stand a Wounded bait.....they gotta eat it. Above the Lateral Line and to the rear of the Dorsal Fin. A #2-#3 Khale hook is what I use. I use Fluorocarbon Leader and mainline. Some folks use Chatter weights, I do not. I Carolina Rig mine. Don't use Braid. Trout can see it. If you do use Braid.....use a Fluorocarbon Leader. 3"-4" Croakers are ideal. Don't get the ones with Red Bellies if u buy them.....They have been beat up too much and will soon float on ya.At times the craoker will try to hide in the rocks if you fish reefs. Every now and then, give the rod a good yank and pull it out of the rocks! This also causes them to GRUNT. Trout can hear it. My $.02 Good Luck

thanks mathgeek, that's good advice.. I just don't use them anymore.

I use a small square piece off a fat rubberband as a "washer" after I hook any live bait. It keeps it on better and does not affect the hook set.

www.fishgarage.com

great idea.