"I'm Dreaming of a White Seabass..." is sung to the tune of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas".

Suppose that I am drift-fishing and casting alone in my skiff for calicos and sandies offshore with swimbaits and I would like to give myself a chance to catch a wsb using a second rod without putting my calico rod down. If live squid are not available would this be my best approach: put the wsb rod in a holder and drift a white w/red S Tady 4/0 about 2/3 of the way down, with the reel in free spool with the clicker on, and possibly adding a fresh frozen squid to the hook? Is there a better way?

Thanks.

Ya, you can use a scrambled egg iron with a hole squid or use a sliding sinker with a squid on it or a bait fish.

No... I don't think there is a better way than what you just described. I think you pretty much nailed it right on the head!!

The only thing that I might add is don't be scared to run that Seabass rig right down near the bottom but mid-way works too.

Also, I would recommend not freespooling in clicker mode but rather keep the reel in gear with the drag backed off and in clicker mode. When Big Moe eats... he eats and he will inhale whatever you are offering when he decides to chew so let him hook himself and he will.

Hope you have a WSB Christmas!!

Dave(Outrage)

Thanks Dave. How do you recommend playing a wsb offshore: amount of drag, etc.? I have 30 lb. P Line on my wsb rig.

Bob

Hey Salmonoid,

I'm really not the one to answer this question. There are simply too many variables with this particular fish. You could possibly catch a school size fish but then again you could just as easily hook into a 50+ fish. All I can offer are a few common sense thoughts as they might relate to Seabass fishing.

Regarding drag... just set your drag according to the line class you are fishing and pray that once hooked up that the initial run doesn't find you in the kelp. These fish are known for their first run and if you are lucky enough that the fish doesn't take you into the bushes then the rest is pretty much text book.

The main thing after the initial run is to not horse the fish. Seabass have a relatively soft mouth and they also tire quickly. More often than not the fish will "float" to the surface in short order if he doesn't wad you up right out of the gate.
Don't even try to release these guys if they come to the boat belly up. Best to just revel in the joy of catching one and enjoy the meal that he will afford you. And they are most delicious as I'm sure you are well aware!! :-)

Good luck and Happy Seabass Fishing!!

Dave(Outrage)

Dave is right on, seabass won't wreck you like a tail, if you keep 'em out off the kelp it's usually just a couple of easy circles around the boat, like a big halibut, just steady pressure works fine. We have been very fortunate to see a huge resurgence for the croaker, conservation and Hubbs hatchery have been very good- Tons of squid in the south bay points to another epic year for seabass, just make sure you know the law and quit after one fish in the spring- don't release them, just keep your one fish and call it a day. Last year guys were catching their one, handing it off to someone else, etc., that sucks. Right now the limit is three, I'm talking about the spring. Tight lines!

edit- Dave, where did you catch that calico by your name? VERY NICE!

Caught her at Starlight Cove on Catalina's West End circa 1992-93.

Thanks for the accolade Bassnet!!

Dave(Outrage)

Thanks guys for the great advice. I am very familiar with the soft mouth approach from salmon fishing up north. (Of course, the first stage of the fight is very different between wsb and salmon.)

Bob

The salmon-fighting aproach to seabass is totally right on. Soft mouths and nice head shakes tear hooks. Try a longer, parabolic rod and fish the drag just a little light on 30#
As for the jig, it is all about the Tady 9 glow in the dark. No joke, best seabass jig I've ever used. Of course conditions will dictate the size of jig, but make sure it glows.
seabass rule.