I learned that a very good way to catch more live bait for the Big E trip is to put a bit of shrimp or squid on each sabiki hook. We had numerous multiple hook-ups, (four or more baits on one cast), using shrimp. I will try to take a pound or two of very small shrimp chunks to bait the sabiki rigs. I don't know if speck rigs would be better....the weight and control that you get with baited speck rigs might allow two at a time live baits at a much faster pace.

I agree with Snagged.....let's put an all out effort at filling the bait tanks!!

I'm in on the bait making for sure. A Speck rig with squid or shrimp chunk trailers ought to work well.

We are also going to catch a bunch of Piggies Thursday to supliment the bait supply encase we have problems getting enough Hardtails.

Bazz

I have a few packs of sabiki rigs, and will bring an aresenal of crappie jigs(can rig them like a speck rig)

Wonder if Fish Bites in Shrimp, Crab, or Squid flavors would work. They would definitely stay on the hook better than a piece of shrimp.

FWM0103

I was thinking the same thing about the Fish Bites... we have also used them for Piggy baits.. We'll grab some and give'em a try.

I'm also going to get us some Kickin Bass Shrimp flavored attractant for use on the plastic Shimp Sabikis. I have some 3" reaper/Dropshot worms that ought to work like a champ on a jig.

SkR... Them 2-4# Hard tails will make Mence Meat out of a whimpy crappie jig... better get some speck jigs down at the coast. I tried using Crappie Jigs on Baby 1-3# Blue fish once..they Murdered'em... smashed them little gold hooks out Flat!

Bazz

The Piggies will work well for Snapper, will they work for Groupers, and AJs,???

academy sells speck rigs pretty cheap here in the metromess.

Piggies are AJ candy. Little grunting piggies call them big boys out of thier holes.

anything will eat a piggie!

Do y'all cut off the dorsel fin on your piggies?

FWM0103

A Piggy Pearch will catch anything in the GOM that swims and eats meat... they're even good drifted in a chum line for Yellow Fin Tuna.

Lady Fish

I dont remember ever seeing anyone cutting off their dorsals. We mostly use the Piggies for Offshore AJ & Grouper/ Bottom Fish Baits.

Bazz

Fish Bites work real good

you don't have to cut the dorsal fin off of the piggies....the deep ones gulp them down like popcorn.

I think I know the answer to this question but here it goes...

Is a fishing license needed for bait catching?

At Captain Elliotts Dock, the answer is yes. Once on the boat and in the gulf, the answer is no. If you're thinking about attending the piggy catching extravaganza, better have your fishing license with a salt water stamp attached. All the warden can do then is smile at the circus.

Do we have a "real" plan for keeping them alive once they're caught till we board the boat the next morning???