Just a quick note on Ballyhoo....I purchased some ballyhoo from VaBeach fishing center earlier in the season ...it was awesome...you could not wash it out...last couple of packs were falling apart while rigging.....You can't depend on quality bait from one location all the time...at least that's been my experience..might be others out there who disagree.....

I just got my 2 case order in from Baitmasters....24 packs of clear eyed perfect looking ballyhoo...they didn't charge me for shipping...bait was still frozen solid when it got here in a well packed styrofoam cooler...good stuff....I think it's definately worth the investment if you make multiple trips offshore.....

THis thread might get moved but thought I would throw it out there...Bob

VBFC bait sucks now!!!!

It does not look as if it has been thawed and refrozen, but it has been on the surface of the sun then frozen again. WTFO

All bait they have looks like garbage, and they should be assamed of it.

I asked the 16 yr old girl behind the counter and she told me that that is the way it is supposed to look.

Shrimp, squid, clam all looked like red man chewing tobacco.

Your right, they used to care.

The same supplier is used a cove marina on Little creek too.

Ballyhoo at walmart is 100X better, and theirs looks OK.

I bought bulk hoo from baitmasters through Chumlord on TF. The deal you get through him is you save on shipping because he gets such a big order together that they send an entire 18 wheeler to his house full of hoo.

Eric

The Fishing center changed hands this year,that doesent sound like a good start.

Long Bay Point Tackle usually has very good Bionic hoos... If you don't like what you see in the display case they'll bring out another for you to pick from.

Last batches from Long Bay Point Tackle were great. Nothing worse than getting out on a trip and finding your bait isn't holding up. If I've had some bait out before ( near frozen), it comes along as back-up bait or slow troll if I need it.

I use a Sharpie Pen to mark the packs, date bought, where, and if taken out of the freezer. At least I can isolate the problem if I have one.
Tight lines!
Dave

Other than looking for the bright bait in the package, rock salt is the key!

Has anyone had any (good) experiences using artifical Ballyhoo in their rigs, such as the Williamson Live Ballyhoo? They sure do look good and rig nicely although changing them out would be a pain.

The best way to prevent getting 60 miles offshore and finding out the Bait shop screwed you is to rig your baits the night before.Put them on a towell over ice and salt them down with 50% bakeing soda 50% salt.The Soda holds the baits color and the salt tuffens the baits up.I usually do 2 Dozen before each trip.

dont go to sea with "hoo that is poo"

Eric

Eric, you're either a poet or haning out with Jeff too much.... I posted a question about the plastic ballyhoo a few months ago and Black Adder responded that he had tried some that someone had given him.... and he was waiting for someone else to give them to..... not a good sign from someone hoo nose what he's talking about.

I saw some new improved plastic Ballyhoo in the new Meltons Cat. I might giv em a try.

hahahahahaha. thanks for the good laugh

I've got some of the Williamsone Hoo and will try and pull some this weekend to get some data. They look great and track nice, just not sure what will eat them yet.
Dave

Thanks Dave. Looking forward to hearing from you and Keith on the plastic hoos.

You guys talking about using these on teasers, or spreaders? Or on the rigs instead of Hoo?

Eric

Eric,
We'll try as a substitute for a rigged Hoo, skirted, and as a stinger on a MiniBar. If they work the advantage is in the speeds they tolerate and of course as a back-up when your other Hoo have become Poo or you're all ate up. Don will be working the pit for me Saturday and I'll twist his arm to throw a few out. Good luck!
Dave

[quote=Billable,Jun 22 2006, 05:57 AM][quote=peejcj8,Jun 21 2006, 07:09 AM]You guys talking about using these on teasers, or spreaders?  Or on the rigs instead of Hoo?

Eric
[/quote]


Eric,
We'll try as a substitute for a rigged Hoo, skirted, and as a stinger on a MiniBar. If they work the advantage is in the speeds they tolerate and of course as a back-up when your other Hoo have become Poo or you're all ate up. Don will be working the pit for me Saturday and I'll twist his arm to throw a few out. Good luck!
Dave

[/quote]

I expect a good tuna kill report from you guys. If you snag a few on the rubber hoo let me know. Ill buy a few in case I forget to bring any dead Hoo with me.

Eric

We pulled one Williamson Hoo with a purple/black skirt on the last trip for awhile, tracked nice, looked good, didn't raise anything...but I haven't given up yet. I've got other stuff in the spread that hasn't raised fish yet this season, but I know will. We'll keep you posted.
Dave

Baitmasters out of Miami FL has the best baits hands down!

Got some in the freezer

Great Ballyhoo

Hey !!!!!!!! I resemble that remark !

I can see making dredges out of them, but not putting them on sea witches.

Eric

has anyone caught any fish on those hoos yet. they look great. i would like some info on how they work. if anyone has caught anything on them please post an update.
Sam

I pulled a Williamson plastic ballyhoo I rigged with a blue/white sea witch on flouro last Wed. Had 3 hits on it, landed one tuna.

ok well thanks i guess we will give it a shot then.
Sam

[quote=Billable,Jun 20 2006, 09:43 PM][quote=Marlin Maniac,Jun 20 2006, 08:07 PM]Eric, you're either a poet or haning out with Jeff too much....   I posted a question about the plastic ballyhoo a few months ago and Black Adder responded that he had tried some that someone had given him.... and he was waiting for someone else to give them to..... not a good sign from someone hoo nose what he's talking about. 
[/quote]


I've got some of the Williamsone Hoo and will try and pull some this weekend to get some data. They look great and track nice, just not sure what will eat them yet.
Dave

[/quote]

I completely agree with the "night before" technique. Rigging the night prior not only sets the bait up, but saves precious time on the water if you get mutliple strikes and need to re-rig. Sooo many fishermen piss away tons of time in the strike zone fumble-farting around with rigs and bait, then complain about empty hooks.

YES ! rig the night before, bait, lines, tackle, have it all ready to go. Besides your buddy you take fishing will be convinced you are a PRO, plus your chances of catching are better.

Shopping for HOOS???? Yeah, Wal-mart is OK, so is Boater's World, which also carries good teasers and topwater rigs. But too each his own.