Need advice: keeping clam on the hook

[mcmahojo]

I am relatively new to chumming clam, and my biggest problem seems to be keeping bait on the hook. Seems to barely be set in the slick before black bass, small blues, etc., have taken the entire bait. Any suggestions appreciated.

[Gr8ful Fish]

Some folks use bait twine ... it is an elastic-like thin thread that you can wrap around the bait to help it stay on the hook.

However, IMHO, the bait twine may only be a marginal help if you are truly losing your bait to small fish. Small bait stealers like sea bass, bergalls and snappers, will still eventually be able to pick the bait apart even with the twine.

- Gr8ful

[JerseyBrian3]

Try salted clam. It's alot tougher than fresh and will stay on the hook better. You may want to try smaller hooks also. Too big of a hook and small fish will pick you apart all day.

[stonerod]

Rubber bands....same color as the clam....holds in nice ball and can leave the clam ribbon trailing. Small fish will nibble but won't dislodge.

[fishincrazy]

I usually buy more clams. :D No, kidding aside when there's bass about you want those little ones picking at your bait it spreads out the sent and the motion attracts mombo bass. I've tried rubber bands, fishing line, cheese cloth, the best way I've found is really buy more clams.:)

[junkmansj]

Go With fishinCrazy bring more bait, the Bigs will find your bait!

[Reel Nice]

http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113831


1. use clambellies there are hundreds of them in a bag ..Stays on the hook pretty good..
2. Use the clambelly chum as a diversion/attractant and slip a nice surf clam on your hook and into the slick....

[bishop]

i use mesh baggies my old man used to used for sirf fishin for stripers...most tackle stores should carry them

[wvufan]

How about the elastic type string? I believe up north they use that alot.

[grassysound man]

Fresh I mean FRESH CLAMS will stay on the hook.
2 factors to consider while chunking clams
1. The current will rip them off the hook
2. The little fish will nibble away which is a good thing.
That means the clams are working.
Fresh Surf Clams are the ticket. Hook them through the tongue. Stripers seem to always be swimming and will usually engulf the bait. They have BIG crushers in the back of their mouths.
A small rubber band, I soak them in clam juice will probablly help.
Good luck

[max171]

A skimma freshly schucked will stay on the hook just fine,
dont mix your chum and bait clams. frozen or leftovers from
another trip that where salted should be used only for chumming,
and if you have used up all your fresh cllam. If you are having alot
of cbass and bottom fish problems... lighten up on the lead just a tad
the bait off the bottom isnt a bad thing sometimes. You might be
a bit to back on the piece of bottom you are trying to fish as well.
It is little ajustments like the ones already mentioned by others on this
post that will help for sure.

[WetSideShawn]

used the clam tie it 1$ in bait and tackel stores