Conference wahoo::fishing

    It sounds like you're using too much bait. I think that half a 12"
    mackerel is too much. Try using a smaller piece. Maybe the crabbies
    are munching on your fillets.
    
    The Doctah

    I take the 12" mack, cut into four pieces, then using either a trebble
    or single hook with a LONG shaft(trebble works better), push the
    eye and shaft along the backbone until the hooks are snug against
    the other end of the bait. This hides the hook much better and also
    protects it on casts and retrieves.
    
                          O    --eye
                        %%|%%  --% is the bait, | is the hook shaft
                        %%|%%
                        \%|%/  -- \/ are the hook points.
                        %\|/%
                          +
                                                         
    
    Hope this helps, pardon the lack of graphical creativity.
    
    Tim
    

    I agree with the Doctah...TOO much bait. When we use dead macks,
    bunkers, or other large-ish bait fish, we usually either cut strips
    (pennant shaped) or "chunks" (steaks about 1" to 1.5" thick). The
    strips are hooked once (no more than twice) through the thick end
    and the rest 'seductively undulates' in the current. The chunks
    are put on the hook to hide most of it, but with the point exposed.
    
    As for hooks, singles are the way to go, unles the bait is alive
    (but that's another book).
    
    Two reasons for the bait turning to 'skin and bones' after 20 +
    minutes: 
    		a) it happens
    		b) crabs
    The only solution to 'a' is change bait more frequently, say 10
    to 15 minutes.(this also eliminates boredom when the action is slow)
    A fresh bait is always better. 
    To avoid crabs eating your bait, try using a cork above the hook,
    or a doodle-bug (cork at the hook, often with some bucktail tied
    in), or rig your leader higher above the sinker, like a pompano
    rig.
    
    Sinker weights in the surf can vary from 1 oz on up to the max your
    rod can handle.
    
    If other species are hitting worms (I assume sand/clam worms), and
    you want stripers, use worms. Instead of pieces as in flounder fishing,
    use one or two whole worms, hooked only in the head so they "swim".
    
    Bagel

    Those bait stealers can be a pain. I second the vote for using a
    float above the hook. Alot of salt waqter tackle shops sell wire
    leader, fluorescent cork float and single hook combos. You can also
    buy cork floats. thread them on the leader above the hook and use
    the plastic peg that comes with the float to secure it to the leader.
    I've even used small fresh water clip-on bobbers in a pinch, although, 
    because they can slip, you should use some sort of knot or split shot 
    stopper.
    
    Since you mentioned Old Orchard Beach, Saco Bay Tackle may stock
    alot of what I just described.

       I use 3 oz. sinkers. These even bounce around a lot if the tide
    is going out.
                                                      Denny

    re: Surf sinkers
    One point to bear in mind about sinkers in the surf. If the beach
    is not crowded, it may pay to use a sinker heavy enough to stay
    on the bottom, but light enough that the tide can roll it along.
    This is especially effective when the current runs parallel to the
    beach. This technique involves a bit more "angler participation"
    as the rod must be held and slack line taken in as the rig drifts.
    This style allows you to cover a lot more water than propping the
    rod in spike while you sit and sip ;-). [oh yeah...in this style,
    bank or dipsey sinkers work better than pyramids]
    
    Bagel

    re: Sinkers
    
    Reminds me of the "old" days when I was surf fishing in Hawaii.
    We would carry a ton (well, maybe a little less) of lead (mostly
    from old car batteries) out with us. The fishing line was usually
    50 to 80 lb and the lead was tied on with 30 pound line, that way
    a hookup meant you weren't necessarily dragging around the lead,
    of if the sinker snagged you wouldn't lose the fish. We did lose
    a lot of lead that way.
    
    Anyway, we would use a pound of lead (it seemed like a pound) and
    it seemed like you got maybe two or three casts before you lost
    the sinker and needed to make another...
    
    Those were the days.
    
    	Marty

    	Thanks for the information, I'll try smaller bait pieces, and
    try a float to get it off the bottom. Any feel for how much free
    leader for the floating bait?? Right now I use a 5 oz barrel sinker,
    swivel, 18" wire leader then hook  VVVVV
    
    -------------%%%%-&&&&&----------------____)
    line	weight swivel   leader     hook
    
    which would get the bait off the bottom 18 inches or so, is that
    about right?
    
    	It seems true also that with the smaller bait pieces, less weight
    will be needed to hold it in place, so I'll probably try 4 or 3
    oz weights too, Anyway thanks for the help
    						Jeff
    

    	I second the suggestion in Re .4 that Saco Bay Tackle would
    have what you need for tackle. They also give out a lot of information
    as to where when and how. They can also give you info on the local
    surf casting club if you are interested ( I think its the Saco Bay
    Surfcasters). Just in case you don't know, SBT is located on Rt 1 in 
    Saco across from the Aquaboggin. Cal Robinson is the owner. If you go 
    there tell him I said hi.
    Paul

    
    	Thanks Paul, Since you know the area, I'm seasoning at Bailey's
    campground, and Saco Bay Tackle is where I get my bait. They were
    the ones that suggested 1/2 a mackeral, but it wasn't Cal I talked
    to. Do you ever fish that area??
    						Jeff
    

    If you are using 5 ozs of weight, it may also be overkill. I usually
    can get away with 2 ozs unless the tide is running very strong.
    You should always use the smallest weight you can that does the
    job; unless, that is, you can't cast your bait far enough.
    
    The Doctah

    A FEW TIPS I HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS OF SURF FISHING
    
    1)	IF YOU ARE BOTTOM FISHING ALWAYS USE NON-FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS
    	IF AVAILABLE - IF YOU WANT TO STAY ON THE HOOK.
    2)	FISH FOR WHAT IS IN THE AREA. IF FLOUNDER IS BITING, USE VERY
    	LIGHT LINE AND LITTLE WEIGHT.  IF BLUES OR STRIPERS ARE AROUND
    	YOU'LL FIND OUT, AND CAN CHANGE YOUR GEAR ACCORDINGLY.
    3)  NEVER USE OVER 10-12LB TEST IN THE SURF, UNLESS YOU ARE USING
    	LURES FOR BREAKING BLUES ETC. CLOSE TO SHORE. IF YOU HAVE 30
    	LB TEST ON YOUR REEL - YOU CAN HAVE 16OZS OF LEAD AND STILL
    	NOT HOLD IN TYPICAL SURF.
    
    				RANDY

    It looked from your picture that you are using a fixed sinker. I
    generally use a 2 OZ pyramyd sinker on a fish finder rig above the
    swivel, the leader between the hook and the swivel is about 3' long. I
    often use a float about 12" up from the hook. The fish finder allows
    you to feel the fish pickup the bait, without the fish feeling sinker.
    As others have said use the smallest sinker that you can get away with. 
    
    Wayne

    Re .10>
    
    Jeff,
    	I really don't know the Old Orchard area all that well. I just
    knew that Saco Bay Tackle was a good info source. They put on a
    series of seminars this Winter/Spring and I went to most of them.
    One covered stripers and blues and the main speakers were from a
    local surf fishing club. This surf fishing club was present at most
    of the other seminars as well raffeling off equipment. I assume
    that Saco Bay Tackle could put you in touch with someone from the
    club and they will fill you in on the local hot spots. They offered
    that kind of info at the seminar and gave out their names and phone
    numbers so I think they would be willing to help. I don't think I took 
    down any of that info at the seminar since I wasn't planning to fish
    in that area but I'll check my notes at home. I'll also check my
    DeLorme fishing atlas and see what it has to say about the area.
    Paul