I AM NEW TO SPADE FISHING. CAN ANYONE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ON THE PROPER WAY TO RIG FOR THESE FISH AS WELL AS WHAT THE BEST BAIT MAY BE.
THANKS!
Full Version: SPADE FISHING
Virginia Beach Sport Fishing > VBSF.net Sport Fishing Forums > Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Waters to 15 miles (Ocean City MD to Hatteras NC)
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I start with a Penn 450/550 on a 6.5'/7' Ugly stick with 20lb test mono on them. On my main line a tie a good snapswivel. Off the snap swivel I like to put a 5' leader of 30lb mono with a small red hook.
With that rig I will set hooks at various depths (some floating on surface, some at 2', some at 4', some at 5' etc) until I start getting fish all the while throwing clam chum off the back.sides of the boat.
Some tips:
I only have a 20' boat, but it is a CC. I try to get out 6 to 8 rods depending on the level of expertise and number of my crew. This weekend we had 3 spades on at a time 4 different times. As one of the guys fishing with me was seasick (useless) I cut that back to 4 poles towards the end.
I like to keep my drags set pretty light as I found through trial and error that if you use to much drag you will eventually pull the hook right out of the spades mouth. (They have a very soft mouth). Also I never try to just lift one in the boat but always net them for the same reason.
Someone recommended clam juice on here in another thread. I tried some on the 4th. Not sure if it helped or not but we caught fish.
Another thing I like to do is if it is slow, I change out the clam I have on the hook pretty regular to keep it fresh. Again, not sure if that really helps or not but it keeps me busy during slow times.
Hope this helps. As the poster before me nentioned, the search function works good on this site. I am sure you can find additional info from someone who has alot more experience than I.
With that rig I will set hooks at various depths (some floating on surface, some at 2', some at 4', some at 5' etc) until I start getting fish all the while throwing clam chum off the back.sides of the boat.
Some tips:
I only have a 20' boat, but it is a CC. I try to get out 6 to 8 rods depending on the level of expertise and number of my crew. This weekend we had 3 spades on at a time 4 different times. As one of the guys fishing with me was seasick (useless) I cut that back to 4 poles towards the end.
I like to keep my drags set pretty light as I found through trial and error that if you use to much drag you will eventually pull the hook right out of the spades mouth. (They have a very soft mouth). Also I never try to just lift one in the boat but always net them for the same reason.
Someone recommended clam juice on here in another thread. I tried some on the 4th. Not sure if it helped or not but we caught fish.
Another thing I like to do is if it is slow, I change out the clam I have on the hook pretty regular to keep it fresh. Again, not sure if that really helps or not but it keeps me busy during slow times.
Hope this helps. As the poster before me nentioned, the search function works good on this site. I am sure you can find additional info from someone who has alot more experience than I.
QUOTE (Marrdro @ Jul 6 2007, 10:49 AM)
I start with a Penn 450/550 on a 6.5'/7' Ugly stick with 20lb test mono on them. On my main line a tie a good snapswivel. Off the snap swivel I like to put a 5' leader of 30lb mono with a small red hook.
With that rig I will set hooks at various depths (some floating on surface, some at 2', some at 4', some at 5' etc) until I start getting fish all the while throwing clam chum off the back.sides of the boat.
Some tips:
I only have a 20' boat, but it is a CC. I try to get out 6 to 8 rods depending on the level of expertise and number of my crew. This weekend we had 3 spades on at a time 4 different times. As one of the guys fishing with me was seasick (useless) I cut that back to 4 poles towards the end.
I like to keep my drags set pretty light as I found through trial and error that if you use to much drag you will eventually pull the hook right out of the spades mouth. (They have a very soft mouth). Also I never try to just lift one in the boat but always net them for the same reason.
Someone recommended clam juice on here in another thread. I tried some on the 4th. Not sure if it helped or not but we caught fish.
Another thing I like to do is if it is slow, I change out the clam I have on the hook pretty regular to keep it fresh. Again, not sure if that really helps or not but it keeps me busy during slow times.
Hope this helps. As the poster before me nentioned, the search function works good on this site. I am sure you can find additional info from someone who has alot more experience than I.
With that rig I will set hooks at various depths (some floating on surface, some at 2', some at 4', some at 5' etc) until I start getting fish all the while throwing clam chum off the back.sides of the boat.
Some tips:
I only have a 20' boat, but it is a CC. I try to get out 6 to 8 rods depending on the level of expertise and number of my crew. This weekend we had 3 spades on at a time 4 different times. As one of the guys fishing with me was seasick (useless) I cut that back to 4 poles towards the end.
I like to keep my drags set pretty light as I found through trial and error that if you use to much drag you will eventually pull the hook right out of the spades mouth. (They have a very soft mouth). Also I never try to just lift one in the boat but always net them for the same reason.
Someone recommended clam juice on here in another thread. I tried some on the 4th. Not sure if it helped or not but we caught fish.
Another thing I like to do is if it is slow, I change out the clam I have on the hook pretty regular to keep it fresh. Again, not sure if that really helps or not but it keeps me busy during slow times.
Hope this helps. As the poster before me nentioned, the search function works good on this site. I am sure you can find additional info from someone who has alot more experience than I.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK.
[quote=gwilson,Jul 6 2007, 04:03 PM][quote=Marrdro,Jul 6 2007, 10:49 AM]I start with a Penn 450/550 on a 6.5'/7' Ugly stick with 20lb test mono on them. On my main line a tie a good snapswivel. Off the snap swivel I like to put a 5' leader of 30lb mono with a small red hook.
With that rig I will set hooks at various depths (some floating on surface, some at 2', some at 4', some at 5' etc) until I start getting fish all the while throwing clam chum off the back.sides of the boat.
Some tips:
I only have a 20' boat, but it is a CC. I try to get out 6 to 8 rods depending on the level of expertise and number of my crew. This weekend we had 3 spades on at a time 4 different times. As one of the guys fishing with me was seasick (useless) I cut that back to 4 poles towards the end.
I like to keep my drags set pretty light as I found through trial and error that if you use to much drag you will eventually pull the hook right out of the spades mouth. (They have a very soft mouth). Also I never try to just lift one in the boat but always net them for the same reason.
Someone recommended clam juice on here in another thread. I tried some on the 4th. Not sure if it helped or not but we caught fish.
Another thing I like to do is if it is slow, I change out the clam I have on the hook pretty regular to keep it fresh. Again, not sure if that really helps or not but it keeps me busy during slow times.
Hope this helps. As the poster before me nentioned, the search function works good on this site. I am sure you can find additional info from someone who has alot more experience than I.
[/quote]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK.
[/quote]
I found fishing at 8 to 10ft provided bigger fish and i also use a splitshot to keep the clam in those depths.
With that rig I will set hooks at various depths (some floating on surface, some at 2', some at 4', some at 5' etc) until I start getting fish all the while throwing clam chum off the back.sides of the boat.
Some tips:
I only have a 20' boat, but it is a CC. I try to get out 6 to 8 rods depending on the level of expertise and number of my crew. This weekend we had 3 spades on at a time 4 different times. As one of the guys fishing with me was seasick (useless) I cut that back to 4 poles towards the end.
I like to keep my drags set pretty light as I found through trial and error that if you use to much drag you will eventually pull the hook right out of the spades mouth. (They have a very soft mouth). Also I never try to just lift one in the boat but always net them for the same reason.
Someone recommended clam juice on here in another thread. I tried some on the 4th. Not sure if it helped or not but we caught fish.
Another thing I like to do is if it is slow, I change out the clam I have on the hook pretty regular to keep it fresh. Again, not sure if that really helps or not but it keeps me busy during slow times.
Hope this helps. As the poster before me nentioned, the search function works good on this site. I am sure you can find additional info from someone who has alot more experience than I.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK.
[/quote]
I found fishing at 8 to 10ft provided bigger fish and i also use a splitshot to keep the clam in those depths.
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