Skipjack for bait

[rod_locker]

How do ya'll go about catching all the skipjack you use for bait? Where is the best areas to fsih for them? I have caught several below the dam on fly rods casting streamers.....but never had any luck on the lake side.

 

[shsimons]

I've never had luck on the lake side either, not at least right above the dam. Sounds like people have had some luck around the nuke area though.
Below the dam starting april I have really good luck with a sabiki rig and a sinker to cast it out there. Other guys on here like BPRICE need to chime in here because they have all kinds of good rigs they use.

 

[foodsaver]

I use a popping cork with 2 maribou crappie jigs tied on 20 lb test but the sabiki rig is pretty popular as well. Typically below the dams and where the steam plants are or where the water is warmer in the winter is where you will find them.

 

[Nickajack Angler]

Any crappie jig or white tube mini jig. My son is VERY proficient using a tough or shiner ripped across the top. Also a silver inline spinner ripped across the surface... They are pretty easy catch at the right time of the year.

 

[SpurHunter]

Welcome to the CFF! </p>

I use a sabiki rig made by Diaichi, its wicked on them, and the hooks are super strong. Skip jack are very hard fighters, and most crappie jigs dont hold up well. I caught some monster skips about 3 weeks ago at the nuke, but havnt really seen them there since. I would say below the dams will heat up for them any day now.</p>

 

[Guest]

I have tried all the rigs listed above and have done well with them all. My favorite after reading some reports from Whisler 11 last year is the Little Cleo. I boat more fish per hookup than any other bait. Just replace the wimpy factory treble with a #4 Gamakatsu treble. I use 8 pound line on a long spinning rod and have a blast.

 

[Guest]

Two shad darts or a shad dart followed by a shad spoon. Woo's shad darts is where I get mine (google him).

 

[Bprice]

This is right up my alley!  Minner and I use a couple of different rigs, all at one time or the other worked extremely well.</p><ul>[*]Popping cork with 3 feet of Flouro leader and a spoon on the back end[*]split shot rig with a 1/8 oz red jig with a threadfin color 3" fin-s-fish, fish with violent jerks[*]two marabou white jigs tied together with 20 lb flouro, for when you have doubles.[/list]

Minner and I fish tailraces and the BF Nuc Plant.  We specialize in trophy skipjacks! </p>