Upper New York Bay 4/10/09

[gymrat987654321]

I went to the bait shop to get worms and just as i was walking in they were getting a fresh delivery. So i picked up a dozen sands and was fishing by 7:30. I had about 3 bites but i couldnt hook anything so i moved over to a different spot around 9:45 and all of a sudden "fish on". I pulled in my first fish of '09 and my biggest striper to date, 27". After that i had a few more bites but again i couldnt hook anything and called it a day around 11:30.

I have a few questions:
What is the best way to hook a sandworm? I noticed that the bass just kept biting the tail off and leaving the head where the hook was. Also do I just let the fish hook itself or do I set the hook?

[kezsr]

nice catch and pics

[yogi192]

What a beautiful fish, nice catch.
 

You fishing out of bayonne correct?

Not trying to steal your spots just trying to find some local spots to fish at.

Liberty State park in jersey city wasn't productive last time i went and bayonne is like 5 minutes away.  I'm in Elizabeth btw.

[Uncle Luna]

Gymrat, they are a bit tricky to hook, I tried the circle hooks last year and seemed to have better luck with them, thats all I use now.

Congrats on your first fish of 09. 

[catfish hunter]

thread the worm on the hook so the hook is inside the worm ,They will stay on better and the hook is hidden .start at the mouth of the worm and push the hook down inside the body as far as you can go then pop it out one side and you are ready to fish ,dont forget you can pinch the tail on bass and add and inch or less he might have been a keeper ,congrats

[bassnblues]

Congrats on the nice striper!

[CapBob]

Great job and pic's congrats

[seanr8w]

 

[bayonne]

smaller fish will pick you clean the nicer fish usally lay the rod down ive had my drag scream with the rod still in the rod holder their getting nice fish at hudson county a 40 in fish was caught recently but it gets crowded and you hook a nice fish and guys are moveing in on top of ya and latley day time has been better theirs lots of fish going 18 to 24 in its action beats sitting home and heard theirs bunker at great kills already tried flounder their last week no bites one of the regulars said their was a good pod of bunker but a harbor seal came in and they moved out im sure their back by now

[ped579]

Very nice catch gymrat.  Lile Uncle Luna mentioned try using a circle hook and this time of year I like to go small in the 2/0 to 3/0 size and also follow th information that CH gave it is right on.

The only thing I would add is this time of year I like to use Hi - Lo rigs this way you have one hook riding a little higher than the other.

Good Luck

Happy Catching

Paul

[PeggyLee]

Way to Go !!
I like to thread the worm.

[Bucktail]

    Congrats Gymrat!  Awesome!

As far as hooking, sandworms are notoriously delicate baits.  But, like everyone else said, thread it on through the mouth, and all the way up the shank.  I like a 5/0 Gamakatsu (or similar) baitholder for worms.  I only like circles if I have an unattended rod in a rod holder.

 

[Still Running]

Nice fish! Looks like you are off to a good start.

[Fishin Dude]

Nice.    <'((((><

[Paulie D]

Way to start it off Gymrat!!! looking foward to seeing more photos and reports in the future!!

[Pfishingruven]

Nice fish Gymrat!  I bet that was a keeper if you squeezed the tail !