WickedStriper Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 How do you guys keep clams on your hook? They seem to disappear pretty easily (one cast?). I've tried stretchy string. Didnt work. I'll probably stick to mackerel but was curious to hear about your experience with clams + surf casting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinambition Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Fresh clams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accman Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Fresh clams is the way to go, but you can use that "stretchy" clam string, cause it does work. Tie a couple of knots high on the hook, thread on the clam, then wrap about two or three times around, and end with a couple of clove hitch style knots, and the clam stays on. Just don't throw a ton of wraps on it cause you want to make it look natural. If I get lazy, I buy the salted clams, but they're not as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinambition Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Salted fresh are like leather after a day. They stay on long after theyre washed out. if you need stretchy string, you got skate bait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spats Maghee Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 try using dental floss its cheap seems to hold well ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillNutz Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I hook the belly first then the foot last since its a tougher section that keeps the clam on the hook. Or use those small rubber bands. I personally don't like clams... I don't recall catching anything worthwhile with it. Fresh bunker chunks stays on the hook much better and catches better quality fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 You need to get some bait thread and wrap it up. Fresh is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WickedStriper Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Yeah looks like it may be the fresh vs frozen piece I was missing. Thanks. But I like mackerel. Squid is my favorite. Thats stuff goes nowhere, but I havent had much success on squid for Stripers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeDee Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use clams every once in a while. I actually go through the foot several times first. Poke it through, flip it, repeat that a few times. The belly will be hanging off. There is a thin strip that I will then continue to put the hook through many more times. it kind of reels the belly up into a big ball. I toss it out there and have had good success. Especially after rough water for a few days when they seem to be in the surf looking for cracked shellfish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpowx18 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use clams every once in a while. I actually go through the foot several times first. Poke it through, flip it, repeat that a few times. The belly will be hanging off. There is a thin strip that I will then continue to put the hook through many more times. it kind of reels the belly up into a big ball. I toss it out there and have had good success. Especially after rough water for a few days when they seem to be in the surf looking for cracked shellfish. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striper46 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Clams are great and the string works good, u can't load the rod up...just lob it out there. I just hold the string with my thumb at the eye of the hook and criss cross down n up the bait, then pull swiftly(on the portion of the tongue not where the good stuff is stored)on the string snapping it. I fish one bait long n one short I actually buy a bushel of clams at the beginning of the season, shuck them all, salt them for about 5 hour then vacuum seal in bags of 12 and freeze them. I take them out and go fishing. They hold up well and still catch. I fish a lot right before sun down and most shops are closed so I would get bait early then go later, just a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plug Em All Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Use a small red rubber band to wrap around the clam it is much better to use than that cheap tie string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeDee Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Quote:Originally Posted by Striper46 Clams are great and the string works good, u can't load the rod up...just lob it out there. I just hold the string with my thumb at the eye of the hook and criss cross down n up the bait, then pull swiftly(on the portion of the tongue not where the good stuff is stored)on the string snapping it. I fish one bait long n one short Thats a good point too. You don't want to load the rod like you are flinging a pencil. Just a nice lob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Squid works well if the bass are feeding on squid. I fish the squid whole regardless of size. I rig them like guys do for offshore, with the hook embedded in the bait. Same goes for clams. If your on a beach that has a lot of clams, and the bass are feeding on clams, then clams can work better then chunks. You should always fish fresh if you can. It is always worth the extra cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishinKid007 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 True clam story: Fishing off Jetty by inlet about 10 years ago, looking down, see a keeper size striper just moving back and forth behind a rock. Once in a while, it would launch at passing bait. I am all excited, I throw my frozen clam up current and I bring it about 5 feet from striper. In a few seconds it moves closer, closer, sniffs at it,and went back behind it's rock!!!! That Was the Last time I used frozen clams. Although I don't use them often, Fresh clams is the way to go. I use baitholder hooks, size 5, 6, hook one side of the hard stuff, then insert the soft stuff, then finally the other side of the hard stuff. Stays on the hook. No need for strings, rubbers. Slot Limit for Striped Bass; 1 fish 26"-34" Save the Porgy; Bring Back 10 fish daily limit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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