SUBJECT: # 35473: Catching pinfish

Submitted by Steve from FLORIDA on 7/14/01 10:39:00 PM

I asked a guy that caught a bunch of pinfish and sold them as bait to a charter how he catches them. He told me that he uses a gold hook only, no bait. He said a cast net removes to much of the slime from the pinfish and they won't live as long. So I tried a plain gold hook but caught nothing. What size hook and style should I use? Is there a better way?

1. 7/14/01 11:18:00 PM Submitted by Al's Fish.net from TEXAS says Try
   Put a small piece of squid or shrimp on the hook, use a small split shot in front & slowly drag it along the bottom near some docks, before long you'll have all the pinfish you need. Squid works better cause it won't come off the hook as easily.

   Al

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2. 7/14/01 11:32:00 PM Submitted by Captain Buddy (209.86.163.30) from FLORIDA says Al's right
   Squid is the answer.

   By the way, most commercial baiters use traps. I'll bet that guy was pulling your leg.

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3. 7/15/01 12:40:00 AM Submitted by capt_dalton from ALABAMA says Pinfish
   Pretend like you're fishing for bream. I've seen three little girls catch pinfish all day trying to catch bream in the bay using worms under corks near the docks at the mouth Dog River. I use a pin fish trap with disgard from fish cleaning tables. But, if you have younguns, it invloves them and they can have some fun catching bait. Have to agree that squid lasts longer on the hook.

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4. 7/15/01 4:14:00 PM Submitted by Robert (216.228.202.21) from OREGON says Pinfish and kids
   When fishing from the pier at Gulf Shores state park, I rig a cheapo, two hook, bottom rig with a one oz. weight and #6 or #8 hooks, then bait with shrimp, small pieces. Squid would also work. The most important step, once you drop the rig over the side and touch bottom, is to immediately reel up 12 to 24 inches, otherwise catfish will make life unpleasant. With kids involved, it really becomes fun. I'll usually soon have enough in my bait basket, and the granddaughter is supplying pinfish to anyone on the pier who'll have one. Good luck.

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5. 7/16/01 12:24:00 AM Submitted by Pp (152.163.201.183) from ALABAMA says All new to me
   Two years ago I went to Gulf Shores, AL. I had fished at perdido pass for awhile and was headed back to the truck when this young kid came up by me on the railing. I thought it odd that he was fishing with a cane pole in the ocean. I could not hold back and had to ask him what he was fishing for? He said Pinfish. I asked him what he was using and he said worms(red worms). He went on to say that they were going out later and he was catching them for bait. He said he had tried different ways to catch them and worms was the quickest way ( for him). He caught one on every cast til he ran out of worms!!!

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6. 7/16/01 8:12:00 AM Submitted by Kenney Whitman (12.27.248.5) from NORTH CAROLINA says Sabinki rig
   You want Pins use a sabinki rig man they go nuts for it. You get them about anywhere for five bucks.

   It's a gold hook rig with 6 hooks that look like flys and you just let it down to the bottom and bounce it up and down 2 or 3" and BAM. NO BAIT REQUIRED. Use a lite rod and it's a blast.

   Good Luck.......Kenney

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