The Art of Snagging

 These days a lot of the big stripers that are being caught are being caught on bait.  And, that bait of choice here in RI is adult pogies or menhaden.  Most boating fishermen tend to snag their own bait and then place it in a baitwell to be used later as live or chunk bait.

These Smith "Guide's Choice" sunglasses have
been excellent for spotting schools of menhaden
under the water.

I've seen some crazy techniques this spring when it comes to snagging.  Some fishermen will just cast randomly and pull away with one yank after another in an areas where they think menhaden exist. It's what I call the "torn rotator cuff" technique.  It's just not efficient.

The way my son Jon (who by the way is the best snagger I have ever seen) and I do it is that we cast to an area where pogies are present.  We then reel our 1 1/2 oz. snag hooks very slowly toward the kayak.  When we start to feel slight taps on the rod tip caused by hitting the bait, we then will pull. Note that you almost have to be using braided line for this to work since the braid will give you the best feel.

Another key ingredient to snagging is a stiff rod.  Many boaters are using equipment which is far too light for snagging. A stiff spinning boat rod that's 7 to 7 1/2 feet and rated for 20 to 50 lb. test line will do the trick. Jon uses a spinning rod geared for tuna that he calls "the Beast" when snagging.

Most fishermen get their menhaden
that will be used for bait by snagging.
There is an art to snagging and some
fishermen are very efficient at doing it.

Finally, where do you cast?  Menhaden often give away their presence by flipping on top of the water.  Cast ahead of where you see the jumps and reel the snagger in slowly.  Another way to do this is to spot those light brown patches of bait schools under the water.  I have some fantastic polarized sunglasses that I bought this year that really allow me to see the schools.  The are Smith "Guide's Choice" sunglasses made specifically for fishing.  They are the best I have ever used. I'll warn you they are not cheap, but they are some of the highest quality glasses you can find for fishing.

Photo of the Day...."Big Blues Mixing in with Big Stripers"

 

Jon Pickering hoists a big blue that was
landed in Narragansett Bay this morning.
Blues have been mixing in with the 
abundant large stripers in the Bay.
Everything is after schools of menhaden.

Best Year EVER in Narragansett Bay?

 

Here's a decent size slot landed just
hours ago from the kayak. The fishing
in the Bay this year has been fantastic,
possibly the best ever!

Since the beginning of May I have not left Narragansett Bay. I saved a lot of money on gas, but more importantly, I've landed more big stripers than I have caught in a two month period. While I've fished a bit from the shore, the majority of my fishing has been done from the kayak.  I've fished in multiple places and it has all been about the same.  In a word, fantastic.

From my perspective, this has been the very best year I have ever seen in the Bay and that dates back to decades of fishing the Bay from shore and boat.  There have been huge numbers of adult menhaden in the Bay for months now and that has attracted incredible numbers of big stripers and big bluefish. I'm guessing my "keeper count" is in the hundreds at this point. And, we are not talking just slot fish.  Maybe a third of all my fish have been over slots with countless numbers at and over 40 inches.  It has been that good.

In years past, the striper fishing in the Bay has pretty much ended by the first week in July.  Not this year. I can tell you it is still going strong as I landed very good numbers of big fish in the last couple of days.  Find the pogies and you most likely will find large stripers and/or large bluefish under them.

How long this will continue is anyone's guess. So long as the large bait sticks around, the large fish will most likely stick around also no matter how warm the water gets.

Snagger Shortage....Why not Make Your Own!

 

It took no time at all to make about 20 snaggers
with this Do-It Snag mold. Snaggers are suddenly
difficult to find and are expensive.

Nearly all the great striper fishing in Narragansett Bay this year has been on bait.  That bait has been menhaden or adult pogies.  Whether you use them live, dead or chunked, the key to success is getting the bait first.  And, that usually involves snagging pogies.

There has been such a big number of fishermen going after this bait that snaggers are difficult to find in most tackle shops.  Call it a snagger shortage! And, if you can find them, the price is high, usually about three bucks a snagger. Well, like everything else, these are going up in price also.  With the big numbers of bluefish hanging around those schools of menhaden, you could lose 4 or 5 snaggers an outing due to cut-offs when a bait is snagged. I was not worried about the cost, but finding replacements for the lost snaggers was getting to be a problem.

I decided I was going to make my own rather than drive around looking for them.  I bought a Do-It Snag Mold from Barlow's Tackle online.  This mold makes 1 1/2 ounce snaggers (ideal weight) and takes an 8/0 treble hook (mustad 3551). I bought the hooks from Barlows also. Note that I bought bronze hooks (all they had). The tinned version would be better, but they are nowhere to be found. Maybe a shortage here also?

In no time, I made about 20 snaggers, good to hold me for a while. More importantly, I've got a supply of snaggers when I need them in the future. 

Photo of the Day....."Ben Gets in on the Action"

 

In a couple of posts back, you may have 
remembered the Father's Day adventure
I had with two of my sons.  Well, the guy in
the picture never got to go because his wife
was in the hospital with their first child. So,
we made plans to get out today, and we 
had some good success.  Here is son Ben with 
a slot fish taken from the kayak.

Photo of the Day.....Another Biggie Released

 

A slot fish is about to be released from the kayak today.
Still loads of big stripers around if you know where to look!

A Happy and Fishy Father's Day

Dad gets into the act with
a decent striper also.

 

Matt, my oldest son, hoists a 
slot limit striper.  It was one of
many that he landed today.

Matt and Jon thought it would be a great idea to get out fishing with
me on Father's Day. They know I love getting out with them and going fishing together, something we did ALL the time when they were young. We just don't get to fish as much together these days since all the kids have busy lives, demanding jobs, houses, they all live some distance away and they have their own families. We had planned to get out in the kayaks in Narragansett Bay on Father's Day morning.  Only problem was that small craft advisories were up putting a crimp in that idea.  So, we decided the three of us would go out on Monday morning instead when calmer seas were forecast. 

To make a long story short- we had a banner day.  The weather was cooperative and the fish were too. We landed loads of slot limit stripers along with a couple of big bluefish. It was a memorable way to celebrate Father's Day, and one that I am hoping we will make a tradition in the future. Heck, in a few years, we can even get the grandchildren in the mix.

The other two boys were unable to get out and fish with us.  Chris and his wife and their baby were at Block Island.  And, Ben and his wife were just getting home from the hospital with their newborn baby girl. 

Jon holds a nice slot fish that he landed today on
our "Father's Day Outing".