Chumming tip...buckets of chum

[hipkvw]

When I get the clam bellies in the bucket I always put the frozen block in my livewell and let the "soup" pump out steadily while blocking the bellies from going out and clogging the hose. If I am out a while and not paying attention it goes out too fast and the clams get washed out (when they are "clean" not running into the water).

I get On The Water magazine and they had a good tip in a shark article. Get a milkcrate and put pipe insulation around the top so it floats and put the bucket in upside down. There is a slow steady chumline as only the bottom is exposed. Im gonna try it.

[captbill35]

Hip,
You can use those pool "noodles" around the outside. They are a little bigger and hold up better. Just wire-tie them on and they also act as a bumper. It stops the milk crate from banging into the side of the boat. Place 2 bungee cords over the top to keep the chum bucket from flying out.

[hipkvw]

Thanks Capt.Bill. I thought about them. I saw them around some fish pens before.

[pgoins]

Hip,
We tried all kinds of different setups for clam chumming. The best way to setup is to get the bucket to the bottom. Especially when you're working with a tide. Fish are near the bottom so that's where your chum should be. If you're chumming on the top with clam they take too long to get down to the bottom, sometimes 100+yds from the boat, much longer than bunker. We use a 5 gal screw top bucket with 3/4 hole screwed through and 5 lb sash weights tied inside for weight.

The only thing we send over the side are the empty shells.