I've had a overwhelming amount of questions about how I'm rigging up, so here's my tip for the day. The Chatter weights are made by a company called Texas Rattin rig from Houston Texas, and the funny looking little chartreuse bead I put above my hook is from the same company. They only place I've ever seen carry them is Marbuger's Sporting Goods in Seabrook, but I'm sure other places carry them. I modify the chatter weights by adding a size 3 Spro split ring and size 6 Spro power swivel to one end. I tie my main line to the swivel and the leader to the other end. I place the bead on the leader between the chatter weight and the hook. This not only works for croaker, but for live shrimp as well, I've even used this same set up for soft plastics in dirty water with great success. Now this isn't some magic rig that will allow you to limit out every trip, but in certain situations it will increase your catch dramatically. Just ask the people in the 4 other boats that came and anchored up within 20 foot of me this morning, we limited out, they got skunked, all throwing the same bait in the same water. If this helps one person come back to the dock with more fish than they left with, than it was worth my time to post it.
sharkchum
Chatter weights and beads?
I've had a overwhelming amount of questions about how I'm rigging up, so here's my tip for the day. The Chatter weights are made by a company called Texas Rattin rig from Houston Texas, and the funny looking little chartreuse bead I put above my hook is from the same company. They only place I've ever seen carry them is Marbuger's Sporting Goods in Seabrook, but I'm sure other places carry them. I modify the chatter weights by adding a size 3 Spro split ring and size 6 Spro power swivel to one end. I tie my main line to the swivel and the leader to the other end. I place the bead on the leader between the chatter weight and the hook. This not only works for croaker, but for live shrimp as well, I've even used this same set up for soft plastics in dirty water with great success. Now this isn't some magic rig that will allow you to limit out every trip, but in certain situations it will increase your catch dramatically. Just ask the people in the 4 other boats that came and anchored up within 20 foot of me this morning, we limited out, they got skunked, all throwing the same bait in the same water. If this helps one person come back to the dock with more fish than they left with, than it was worth my time to post it.
Attachments
Yep! The company that makes them sets up a booth at the fishing show and you can pick them up at a pretty good discount.
I used to only use the chatterweight but my buddy got me using the chartreuse rice bead as well. It works great but not when fishing sand/grass potholes because it weighs the bait down and you get lots of grass. I like it for 4 feet or deeper.
If you use them in the surf I recommend only using the bone colored chatterweight. If you use the chartreuse, gold, pink or any of the hologram colors the spanish mackerel will bite them off left and right.
http://www.fishingscout.com/scouts/SmackDaddy
If you use them in the surf I recommend only using the bone colored chatterweight. If you use the chartreuse, gold, pink or any of the hologram colors the spanish mackerel will bite them off left and right.
http://www.fishingscout.com/scouts/SmackDaddy
Met Sharkchum on the water. He gave e some of the hardware cause we had one to his 7.. I done feech croaker, but learned from the man he was not BS..ing. Hooked up before he was out of sight after changing over. This was on a slow *** bite / tide.
He did entertain us with his catch. Feech with em and met sharkchum on the water at time.. First class person that many should take a lesson from.
He did entertain us with his catch. Feech with em and met sharkchum on the water at time.. First class person that many should take a lesson from.
Fishanywhere -
I like the mini in bone color. The large are too heavy and weigh the croaker down. Sharkchum is adding a swivel and split ring to the mini which is not a bad idea if you don't like line twist.
Lucky-
Hooking croaker:
I like to hook them between the dorsal and tail (top) to make them swim down in deeper water and in the same place but from the belly side to make them swim up when fishing shallow grass. Everyone fishes croaker differently, over potholes usually toss one past a pothole and lift the rod tip slowly and allow the croaker to swim a little and you will feel a thump. Let the fish take it a little, an instant hook set usually pulls the fish off. We like to freespool for ten seconds or so then just lift the rod and start reeling. No need to Bill Dance it.
Deeper water is a little different, you want to let the croaker freeline even more so it swims around. If you have good bait that has been taken care of you can fish it for many casts, some croaker die after a cast or two if they have been stressed or in a livewell too long with lacking oxygen. Once the gills flare and pectoral fins fold forward it is time for a new one. Dead croaker don't croak or swim, surefire hardhead bait at that point.
Many people think all you do is hook it, chunk it and that is all it takes to catch fish but many times, as with any lure or other bait, it is not that simple. You still have to fish them effectively. I would rather chunk lures but it never hurts to throw some barking monkeys now and then.
I have really taken to spinning reels because you can cast further in the wind and when you open the bail to let a fish run there is less resistance. The drag is also superior to a baitcaster for the most part. A Ci4 in the 2500 or 3000 size is a great reel. A longer, medium power fast action rod is a must to get the bait out there.
http://www.fishingscout.com/scouts/SmackDaddy
I like the mini in bone color. The large are too heavy and weigh the croaker down. Sharkchum is adding a swivel and split ring to the mini which is not a bad idea if you don't like line twist.
Lucky-
Hooking croaker:
I like to hook them between the dorsal and tail (top) to make them swim down in deeper water and in the same place but from the belly side to make them swim up when fishing shallow grass. Everyone fishes croaker differently, over potholes usually toss one past a pothole and lift the rod tip slowly and allow the croaker to swim a little and you will feel a thump. Let the fish take it a little, an instant hook set usually pulls the fish off. We like to freespool for ten seconds or so then just lift the rod and start reeling. No need to Bill Dance it.
Deeper water is a little different, you want to let the croaker freeline even more so it swims around. If you have good bait that has been taken care of you can fish it for many casts, some croaker die after a cast or two if they have been stressed or in a livewell too long with lacking oxygen. Once the gills flare and pectoral fins fold forward it is time for a new one. Dead croaker don't croak or swim, surefire hardhead bait at that point.
Many people think all you do is hook it, chunk it and that is all it takes to catch fish but many times, as with any lure or other bait, it is not that simple. You still have to fish them effectively. I would rather chunk lures but it never hurts to throw some barking monkeys now and then.
I have really taken to spinning reels because you can cast further in the wind and when you open the bail to let a fish run there is less resistance. The drag is also superior to a baitcaster for the most part. A Ci4 in the 2500 or 3000 size is a great reel. A longer, medium power fast action rod is a must to get the bait out there.
http://www.fishingscout.com/scouts/SmackDaddy
I was trying to use "chatter weight" about 10 years ago when show on the store,for fishing from the bank at ROLLOVER PASS.
But because i don't see improving my catching i don't use any more for my specific fishing at ROLLOVER PASS.
I am fishing just with artificial from the bank.
But because i don't see improving my catching i don't use any more for my specific fishing at ROLLOVER PASS.
I am fishing just with artificial from the bank.
This is the rig I have been using only because it's what I have in my Lil box. Just a short Carolina rig but it seems to catch fish.
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