Tile fish baits
 

Any suggestions for alternate tile fish bait besides the standard squid?

Thank you

Re: Tile fish baits
 

Salted bluefish strips, and other strips of course

Re: Tile fish baits
 

Bluefish strips. Fluke strips (think big black and white), salmon belly, small butterflied Rosie, tuna belly.

Re: Tile fish baits
 

salmon belly

Re: Tile fish baits
 

My favorite tile bait is fresh squid and freshly cut strips. Fluke, Bluefish, tilefish and also rosefish all work great. Mahi and skipjack or false albacore strips are also awesome but harder to come by unless you can catch them while you are out there.

A big thing with strip baits is to keep the fish whole and packed in ice until you are going to use them. I typically will fillet one side of a fluke for instance and cut strips. When that is done I will cut the other side and use that before cutting any more of the same bait. Also keep the majority of of the cut bait cool otherwise it turns to mush and is a waste.

Re: Tile fish baits
 

This is very helpful. Thanks to all. I'll report back next week.

Re: Tile fish baits
 

Silver eel strips if u can find em!

Re: Tile fish baits
 

I have some long gulp eels maybe 9 inches. Think they are worth a try?

Re: Tile fish baits
 

As stated many things will work some better then other on any given day. Always be willing to try something if other stuff is not producing!!. If others are catching and you are not switch !! No shame in asking or switching. Good luck and post pics when you get back

Re: Tile fish baits
 

My main concern with the gulp eel you mention is their durability. If it'll get torn off by the slightest nibble or tug, it ain't worth sending down 600' bc you'll be reeling your rig back in to rebait. And that sucks. Strip baits are durable, esp fluke, bluefish, and the silver eel I mentioned. Use tough bait so you're spending more time in the strike zone rather than cranking up bare hooks.