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Live lining croaker

2.2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  m30power  
#1 ·
Does anyone do this? If so, what are your tips? I wanted to start this year. In the past I have caught baby croaker in my cast net and put them under a popping cork and something would always steal them because I wasnt letting the fish eat the croaker. However, this was off of the beach just a few feet out in the James River off the parkway. Which leaves me wondering what was taking them. I would be live lining in the York off the parkway and off the beach at the waterfront. Hoping to catch some momma speckled trout and maybe some small nurse sharks.
 
#2 ·
I was kayak fishing CBBT this weekend and started live-lining croaker after witnessing a cobia swim up to check out my kayak. Unfortunately, I never found Mr. Cobia again. However, I did get several bluefish bite-offs and landed a 28 inch shark on the live croaker. I know some guys in MD will live-line croaker it works fairly well on stripers. On the Gulf coast, I have read magezine articles on using small live croaker for specks.

I was using 6-9 inch croakers. I am sure you will get something in a matter of time. My set-up was for big game- Daiwa Seagate 50# on a 30 class rod with a 7/0 live bait hook on 80# mono leader in free spool with clicker on. My approach next time will be a single and treble hook with wire on the stinger.