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Message
Catching Croakers for bait
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:20 am
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:20 am
So I'm trying to get ready for some light offshore fishing this summer, acquiring rods, reels, and equipment. Since we usually head offshore from our marsh camp in cocodrie, i was wondering if it is possible to catch our own croakers the day/night before for mangroves? Anyone ever try this? I know we could drag a trawl, but thats too dam messy. I would like to put some type of trap out if possible since it is easiest. Set it and forget it like a George Foreman would be Ideal.
Is there anything out there like this? Where should it be placed?( shell bottom? flats?)
Is there anything out there like this? Where should it be placed?( shell bottom? flats?)
This post was edited on 1/12/16 at 7:21 am
9
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:30 am to Elusiveporpi
I have luck using a minnow trap for cocahoes. A small fish trap has been useful in catching Pinfish and a few croakers. Key to the trapping is finding the right spot.
Don't forget to use a cast net at night under a light. This is where you can have a bunch of success.
Don't forget to use a cast net at night under a light. This is where you can have a bunch of success.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:33 am to Elusiveporpi
cast net or 6' trawl with 5 minute drags.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:52 am to Elusiveporpi
cast net or trawl is the only way I know of
you'll catch a few in a trap but it will be just a few
you'll catch a few in a trap but it will be just a few
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:54 am to Elusiveporpi
cast net or trawl is the only way I know of
you'll catch a few in a trap but it will be just a few
you'll catch a few in a trap but it will be just a few
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:55 am to Elusiveporpi
I feel like if you used extremely light tackle with very small hooks and casted the under lights with dead shrimp you could "load the boat" and it would be fun.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 7:55 am to Elusiveporpi
I just bought a croaker/pinfish to use this season in Grand Isle. We've had a ton of success with our minnow trap this past season so I wanted to try this out. Works the same just a little larger opening than I had on my minnow trap..... set it and forget it! Check it on the way out in the am, rebait and profit!
Bought the trap from Kief Hardware in Gailliano, Im sure theyre avail other places
Bought the trap from Kief Hardware in Gailliano, Im sure theyre avail other places
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:02 am to Elusiveporpi
My dad never bought live bait when we had the houseboat in Cocodrie. He had an 8 ft trawl and would go drag the inshore bays before daylight and catch all the live shrimp and croakers we would need for a day of trout fishing. The little trawl would fit into a plastic tote with the boards.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:14 am to WilsonPickett
quote:
I just bought a croaker/pinfish to use this season in Grand Isle.
Sweet, do pinfish work well for mangroves? ive never tried them. and what kind of bottom or area do you put the trap on/at?
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:16 am to Elusiveporpi
bookmarked
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:18 am to bayoudude
quote:
8 ft trawl
I'm not familiar with the trawl regulations? can a bait trawl be used year around? what are the regs on this?
but still, i would really like to just check a few traps rather than pull a trawl.
This post was edited on 1/12/16 at 8:20 am
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:31 am to Elusiveporpi
Trawls can produce really well, but they can be a pain in the arse, and they are messy. If you don't catch, you've wasted a ton of time and still have to go get bait. Traps seem like the best bet. Too much money to go fishing and too little time on the water to be f'n with a bait trawl.
Do Mangroves eat cocahoes? I have seen people have great success with minnows in the traps.
Do Mangroves eat cocahoes? I have seen people have great success with minnows in the traps.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:38 am to Elusiveporpi
quote:
Set it and forget it like a George Foreman would be Ideal
You set and forget a Ronco Showtime Rotisserie
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:49 am to Elusiveporpi
quote:
I'm not familiar with the trawl regulations? can a bait trawl be used year around? what are the regs on this?
To use it year round legally you would need a bait license and probably a commercial fishing and vessel permit. So around $200 in licenses and some paper work hassle. Most of the fishing season falls under the recreational trawling season though.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 8:50 am to DownSouthDave
we usually pull a 6 or 8ft in catfish lake, one or two 5 minute drags and we load up. even pulling for shrimp during the season its not really messy.
never tried for snapper or mangroves with cocahoes, but weve caught with squid, strips of blue fish and croaker. I don't see why it wouldn't work
never tried for snapper or mangroves with cocahoes, but weve caught with squid, strips of blue fish and croaker. I don't see why it wouldn't work
Posted on 1/12/16 at 9:28 am to maisweh
pulling a trawl would be pretty easy since we fish out of an inboard with a swim platform off the back. its just the mess, mud etc. and then the gnats.... Traps would be the TITS.
I also read somewhere about cast netting over a chum sack.
Anyone ever try pinfish as bait? or live shrimp, just wondering so if we do pull a trawl, what should we try and keep alive.
I also read somewhere about cast netting over a chum sack.
Anyone ever try pinfish as bait? or live shrimp, just wondering so if we do pull a trawl, what should we try and keep alive.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 9:40 am to Elusiveporpi
I would keep live shrimp. .25 cents a piece, sell them suckers if you don't use them.
ive caught mangroves on live shrimp, but these were 12-14 inch fish by the jetties out of fourchon and out of leeville
ive caught mangroves on live shrimp, but these were 12-14 inch fish by the jetties out of fourchon and out of leeville
Posted on 1/12/16 at 9:43 am to Elusiveporpi
Smaller pinfish work very well. They are also much easier to keep alive in the live well.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 10:00 am to voros79
quote:
Smaller pinfish work very well.
That is what I have been waiting to hear. I believe i will invest in 2 or 3 pinfish/croaker traps and see what happens. there are some shell/oysture reef i think will produce and they are very close to the camp.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 10:13 am to Elusiveporpi
OP, I use shrimp exclusively for mangroves, tightlined upcurrent of rigs and smoke their arse. Never had as much luck with croakers as I have shrimp. 
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