can someone give me advice on how to hook croaker for bait. Everytime i hook it in the head something bites the tail off and everytime i hook it in the tail something bites the head off.

I have never heard of that, looks like you got some bad luck. Wonder if you could hook them in the middle, right below there top fin? But then you might get both the head and tail bitten off...ha. The fish are getting smarter.

John

I thought is was the only one that has that problem

Depending on who you talk to they'll tell you different things I'm sure, but for me it depends on how you're going to fish them, I usually drift mine over the tubes or over structure so since they're getting basically drug through the water I hook all mine through the mouth and out right between the nostrils so I'm pulling them head first. If you're anchored up and using a fish finder rig I've been told through the back is better.

Now as far as getting the tails or head taken off, that is bluefish almost all the time around here and there isn't much you can do about, no matter where you put the hook they're going to attach the other side. I've had them chase my bait all the way to the boat plenty of times. I usually just move when they show up or deal with loosing some bait. If you want to catch them, switch to cut bait and bury a small hook and be ready to set it fast other wise you're not missing important fish. Flounder won't bite a tail off, at worst they'll rake the back part of the bait if you're too quick with the hook set and he hasn't had a chance to swallow it, and of course a striper will just swallow the whole thing.

Hope that helps, dang things drives me nuts when they do it to my spot when I'm flounder fishing especially when spot are scarce

another Fish that will do that Is Sharks... wonder if thats whats biting the tail-end?

If it keeps happening place a stinger in the tail and hold on. I hook mine through the nostril and if it keeps getting hit then I will place the stinger in the tail to get what ever is hitting the back.

This might be a stupid question but what is a stinger and how do you hook it.

A smaller hook that is tied to the main hook and is usually a treble hook to catch that short strike. Look at a king rig to see a good example and just place it close to the tail with no slack in the line for the fish to get spooked.

Mark

when useing a float or at slack tide and freelining, hook them just forward of the anal vent through the bones with a 7/0 khale. when trolling or in a fast current, hook them through the bottom lip and out the nose with a 7/0 octopus. hope this helps.

I agree with the stinger hooks med. size treble 4x strengh. Iuse 90lbs wire & haywire twist ito on the main hook.
Sometimes depending on bait size I will put two stingers main hook by the head one stinger middle of the body &
one by the tail. but don't put to much pressure on the fish stingers pull out easier than regular hooks

Heads or tails, doesn't matter much. I was picking up some bait down by Ocracoke and brought in 2 croaker on a bottom rig- one got hooked in the mouth and his tail got bitten off on the way in. The other fish got snagged near the tail and you guessed it, his head got bitten off. If the fish gods ain't with you, you lose! BTW- is there any schedule to the M&G's?? I live a couple of hours away and want to schedule a trip down to coincide with one and meet some of you folks. Thanks for the advice over the years, though!