fishing with croakers

**230Ag** · #1 06-25-2012, 11:37 PM

how are y'all typically fishing with croakers for big trout? fishing under corks? eggs weights and swivels to allow the bait to swim? i hear everyone talking about how good they are, but i've never used them.

just curious...

**speckcaster** · #2 06-26-2012, 01:14 AM

fish arti's 95% of the time

however when croakers are the ticket:

all of the above......also free line them with just a circle hook through the nose

typically with a simple egg sinker/swivel fluorcarbon leader and circle hook rig

speckcaster

**mgeistman** · #3 06-26-2012, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckcaster

fish arti's 95% of the time

however when croakers are the ticket:

all of the above......also free line them with just a circle hook through the nose

typically with a simple egg sinker/swivel fluorcarbon leader and circle hook rig

speckcaster

what about hooking them threw the back?

**James@SeaKingBlue** · #4 06-26-2012, 01:55 AM

I would say most people hook them above the anal fit right above the lateral line. You can use a Croaker Hook or circle hook just make sure it has a pretty thin wire. They key to fishing them is once you feel the bump of them picking the croaker up, open your bail and let them take it for a 4 or 5 count then reel up your slack quickly with a high rod tip and that will set the hook. Don't do a lip ripping hook set or you will just rip the hook out of their mouths. It will be hard to open the bail and let them take when you feel the bump instead of just trying to set the hook right then. Using croaker doesn't automatically make you catch fish like it sounds. It takes some skill to actually get the hook up if they take the bait. During the dog days of Summer it is usually the best way to catch trout. Also give the croakers a good pop every minute or so to make em croak as well as keep them from burying themselves in the grass. Good luck.

**Timemachine** · #5 06-26-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James@SeaKingBlue

I would say most people hook them above the anal fit right above the lateral line. You can use a Croaker Hook or circle hook just make sure it has a pretty thin wire. They key to fishing them is once you feel the bump of them picking the croaker up, open your bail and let them take it for a 4 or 5 count then reel up your slack quickly with a high rod tip and that will set the hook. Don't do a lip ripping hook set or you will just rip the hook out of their mouths. It will be hard to open the bail and let them take when you feel the bump instead of just trying to set the hook right then. Using croaker doesn't automatically make you catch fish like it sounds. It takes some skill to actually get the hook up if they take the bait. During the dog days of Summer it is usually the best way to catch trout. Also give the croakers a good pop every minute or so to make em croak as well as keep them from burying themselves in the grass. Good luck.

This covers it real well. Me and my kid do this almost every weekend!!

**dparkerh** · #6 06-26-2012, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 230Ag

how are y'all typically fishing with croakers for big trout? fishing under corks? eggs weights and swivels to allow the bait to swim? i hear everyone talking about how good they are, but i've never used them.

just curious...

What is your definition of "good"? Lots of big breeder trout are killed by croaker fishing. I hope you'll limit what you take out, if any at all. A large percentage of the time you don't have much choice, as they swallow the bait and are gut hooked.

Just sayin'.

**mud minner** · #7 06-26-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparkerh

What is your definition of "good"? Lots of big breeder trout are killed by croaker fishing. I hope you'll limit what you take out, if any at all. A large percentage of the time you don't have much choice, as they swallow the bait and are gut hooked.

Just sayin'.

Yep.....cant tell you how many gut hooked trout over 25" I have released for crab bait because i already had my one over 25"

**24Buds** · #8 06-26-2012, 08:08 AM

only 6 posts till the hate started. I don't use craoker, but I don't care if you do. Its legal. relax

**txjustin** · #9 06-26-2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparkerh

What is your definition of "good"? Lots of big breeder trout are killed by croaker fishing. I hope you'll limit what you take out, if any at all. A large percentage of the time you don't have much choice, as they swallow the bait and are gut hooked.

Just sayin'.

Mmmm mmmm and they are delicious fried!!

**bubbas kenner** · #10 06-26-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James@SeaKingBlue

I would say most people hook them above the anal fit right above the lateral line. You can use a Croaker Hook or circle hook just make sure it has a pretty thin wire. They key to fishing them is once you feel the bump of them picking the croaker up, open your bail and let them take it for a 4 or 5 count then reel up your slack quickly with a high rod tip and that will set the hook. Don't do a lip ripping hook set or you will just rip the hook out of their mouths. It will be hard to open the bail and let them take when you feel the bump instead of just trying to set the hook right then. Using croaker doesn't automatically make you catch fish like it sounds. It takes some skill to actually get the hook up if they take the bait. During the dog days of Summer it is usually the best way to catch trout. Also give the croakers a good pop every minute or so to make em croak as well as keep them from burying themselves in the grass. Good luck.

Very accurate reply hold your rod tip at 12 o'clock and be able to give line when thumber comes by.I caught 7 yesterday while 2 very good fisherman from this site could not catch a cold it takes practice.No haters please.Oh go ahead lol.