One advantage of using artificial baits is not much hardhead action. Gulp will catch hardheads. I’ve caught one or two on topwaters but that was at night. I’ve caught a few on flies.

But in my experience, they rarely go after tails and other unscented lures. They are less likely than gafftop to hit lures in my experience.

Aren’t live little croaker like trout magnets? Meaning if the trout are there and halfway feeding, the trout almost can’t resist them? I haven’t fished with croaker, but maybe there just weren’t any trout that day around where you were fishing.

But that’s my stab in the dark on croaker. I’m sure the croaker experts will have better input. My cousin soaks live croaker freelined in the surf and catches the devil out of the trout including some really big fish. I’ve never heard of him catching hardheads on the croaker he uses.

 

I would agree with Karstopo. If trout and redfish are there they'll typically hit live bait first, they tend to outcompete hard heads and are more aggressive when they are there. Trout and reds are not always in an area one wants to fish. They move around the bay in different locations based on the season and several other factors. Besides that, ways to increase catches are to be fishing better structure such as live oyster reef and rocks located in the right parts of the area where they are for that season. I'd suggest fishing the jetties for you as a walk in angler. Take your croaker there and while you'll still catch catfish or two here or there, summer is a great time to find predators (trout, redfish, smacks, etc etc.) at the jetties.

Have fun
t

 

Those gaff-topsails are very good eating. I can now officially attest to that. We caught half a dozen, mixed in with a mess of whiting one day and when fried up, you almost can't tell the difference. That was also my first time eating whiting and it was really good.

 

Fishing on the bottom greatly increases your chances of catching a catfish since they are mainly bottom dwellers.

 

I've tried using a slip bobber rig, but the current would move the bobber. How would I not fish on the bottom at a pier?

 

I've caught a good deal of gaftops on saltwater assassins... They'll make you excited thinking you're about to haul in a slot red. Then it turns out to be one of those slimy creatures

I don't think there's one time I've used live bait and haven't caught a hardhead

 

You've already got the best answers above. I will add that slack tides are prime for catching catfish and ladyfish. There's also a tendency for many fishermen to find some protected little spot where there isn't even any wind/wave action stirring the water. That ups your chances at landing a catfish or two vs. something for the table.

Oh, and if you're fishing anywhere near a fish cleaning table? Those are hardhead magnets.

 

if you catch a gafftop beavis says too cut the tail off and hang it over the side of the boat on a stringer. apparently the fish bleeds out and all the slime falls off. he says it'd much easier to handle them when cleaning and they taste outstanding.









switch to sight fishing and fly fishing.



you'll never catch catfish unless you want to.

 

Don’t use any weight’s or corks when using croaker. You want them to swim free, single croaker hook and the croaker is all you need. If he gets sluggish give your rod several up twitch’s to keep him from seeking the bottom we’re all the hard heads live.

 

Once that’s all your catching change spots, cross the road and try the ship side!