Live bait?

[spideyjg]

Anyone use fresh caught surf perch or croaker instead of mackerel in the surf?

Better, worse, or a wash?

Jim

[Latimeria]

I like the macks, but Sasquatch does awesome with fresh cut perch and croaker.  Can't beat a match the hatch scenario, especially if you have time to fish for them while you bait and wait!

[WheresMyBeer]

Have caught many Leos on the cut perch. Def works

[raychavez91]

Perch used to be my confidence bait for leos. But mackerel has easily become my favorite my a huge margin

[sasquatch]

Targeting leopards I love to cut a live perch in half. Pin it on while it still quivers. Always bring mackerel to be sure I have bait.

[Pinoyfisher]

You guys have never just pinned on a live, completely intact bait?

[Latimeria]

You guys have never just pinned on a live, completely intact bait?

For leopards a few times when I got the right sized perch, I tossed them out.  To be honest, I was more targeting flatties, but caught leopards back when I first moved out here.  Might not be a bad idea, but that hook is not going to keep that bait alive even after first hooking it!  lol

[Pinoyfisher]

I've tried live sardines, but I was also trying for halibut. Got killed a couple of times using it, WAY undergunned! Never saw what it was.

[sasquatch]

You guys have never just pinned on a live, completely intact bait?

I have, but prefer the bloody bait.

[spideyjg]

Sounds like a second rod out for catching bait for the main rig isn't a bad idea.

Big weight, baited sabiki w/ circle hooks, and let the perch hang out.

Jim

[Pinoyfisher]

Sounds like a second rod out for catching bait for the main rig isn't a bad idea.

Big weight, baited sabiki w/ circle hooks, and let the perch hang out.

Jim

As long as you're in a spot where that is allowed.

[WheresMyBeer]

Fun way to kill time. Perch fish and keep a few for bait while waiting for the big rod to load up. Prefer to get them on the c-rig.

Problem for me though ... if I'm fishing for perch only - will catch them by the dozens. If I'm trying to get some for bait, they seem to know this and scatter. Don't get it ... LOL

Mike - have pinned out whole live and done well. I'll take the fillet knife and throw a few slashes dow the sides though.

[skrilla]

Wounded soilder... cut the tail off and present it alive. It chums itself, then it turns into dead bait if it doesn't get picked up right away.

[spideyjg]

As long as you're in a spot where that is allowed.

Lots of the reserves have no take but some allow shore taking.

Swamis on the DFG site say..

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except:

    Recreational take by hook-and-line from shore is allowed.

For  San Dieguito Lagoon Ecological Reserve.:

Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore.