As the harbor water temperature remains cool, the many types of small bait fish that anglers rely on are not readily available. Many baitfish, such as thread fins, whitebait, and fiddler crabs head south. Many fishermen turn to the use of artificial baits made of plastic or forms of rubber. Others turn to the use of live and frozen shrimp. The latter is totally dependent on shrimp boats being able to get out to their dragging net grounds and this of course, is based on wind conditions and water temperature. As a result, our local bait shops offer frozen shrimp, ladyfish and mullet caught and frozen at an earlier time in the season. Using frozen bait requires a widely used technique called “chunking.”
Using frozen bait requires a widely used technique called “chunking”.
Frozen bait generally breaks apart easily and once opened to the air from their packaging lasts only a short time. It is usually difficult to keep frozen shrimp on your hook. Many anglers have learned to keep a ladyfish or two caught during the warmer weather in their freezer. It is most important to keep the fish wrapped in a freezer bag so it will not break down, and offer a really bad odor in the freezer. Once you have made sure your bait fish is secure in your freezer, you can forget about not having bait during the winter months.
Before you head out on a cool water fishing trip, when traditional bait is not available, remove your frozen ladyfish from your freezer. An hour or two usually gets the condition of the frozen fish available for cutting. An average size ladyfish, in frozen condition, can be cut up into a dozen or more slices. These slices are known as bait chunks. By taking a sharp knife and cutting down through the back you can achieve nice chunks of bait. For the average slot-sized redfish or snook, a chunk cut about one inch thick is an excellent size chunk. Hooking the chunk of bait fish is as important as how large the bait chunk you are using. The use of the head and tail section of the bait fish you are using is not a productive bait. The use of a non-offset circle hook is your best bet for fishing with chunk bait. Run the hook through the side of the piece of chunk bait, and out under the spine, until a small portion of the hook is shown. This chunk of bait usually weighs about 1/2 ounce, and should be cast easily without falling off the hook. A chunk of bait like you are using is usually good for about 10 minutes when submerged. It is important to keep a fresh chunk on your hook. A float is generally not used when chunking. The bait should sit on the bottom.
You can tell when a fish is beginning to test out your bait by watching your line show signs of straightening out, or if the fish takes up the chunk while on the run your line will rapidly tighten, and your fishing rod will show a bend. It is important to remember not to rapidly set the hook with a strong upward motion of your fishing rod. The circle hook is designed to self-hook the fish in its jaw by the angler reeling in line, which sets the hook.
Chunking with cut bait can catch a large variety of fish. If you are in an area where larger fish are being caught, you can increase the size of the chunk of bait. If you are using this technique for shark fishing, the game has changed. Larger hooks, heavy leader with a metal piece connected directed to the hook is a must. Chunks up to six inches can be used. Remember, when the warm weather arrives and schools of ladyfish are around, save three or four for that cool winter day when you would love to go fishing but can’t get live shrimp, white bait or other bait fish. You will always have very productive chunks of ladyfish to lure your fish to the bite.
Tight Lines
