7/05 First Spadefishing trip for the boys

[mwills98]

Had some family in town for the holiday, they were suppose to head up to Busch Gardens on Thursday but talked my brother-in-law into hanging around another day to go out for some of the best inshore fishing around…Spades at the tower. We took my son Lane (10) and his cousin Jackson (11) out for their first CLT Spade trip along with Darrell (aka Tunapumpn). Headed out in smooth seas, third boat on the scene, tried anchoring our favorite wreck 4-5 times but wind and current heading in different directions made in difficult to get on the spot without the wreck anchor. Decided to drift it, it was game on until we ran out of clams with 12 fish in the box. I played capt and mate today, but thanks to Darrell for helping me keep everyone baited up and on the fish. Had to pick through them, some were the smallest I have seen hit a bait at hand size, with some nice 4-5lbers mixed in. Decent visibility with fish hanging around 5-15 feet. The kids had a blast after the initial surprise of the first hook up, they thought the fish had caught them! My son had reeled in some 40in Rockfish this winter but was shocked by the fight of a 3lb spade, thought it was going to pull the rod right out of his hand. Afterwards, they even declared it more fun than Busch Gardens. Headed in around noon to look for some cobia but no luck for us around the CBBT. Ended the day with the freshest fried fish dinner to conclude a great mid-week holiday.

[Kevin Smith]

Sounds like everyone stayed "busy" with the spades. Always great to hear about the family trips. They are memories to cherish.

Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[dell30rb]

great job!

I am about to give the spades a go. Thinking about fishing for them at the cell. I've read a few articles and understand to use small hooks with clams, and get your bait around wrecks or structure. Probably going to hit up the cell enroute to the lower bay shoals on Saturday.

Got a few questions:

What hook size?
What rig is preferable?
Anyone have a link to a good spadefishing article :)

[mwills98]

great job!

I am about to give the spades a go. Thinking about fishing for them at the cell. I've read a few articles and understand to use small hooks with clams, and get your bait around wrecks or structure. Probably going to hit up the cell enroute to the lower bay shoals on Saturday.

Got a few questions:

What hook size?
What rig is preferable?
Anyone have a link to a good spadefishing article :)

It's pretty basic. I use the 1/0 Diachi Bleeding bait circle hooks on a 2'-3' 20lb flourocarbon leader tied to a barrel swivel. Hook it up to a snap swivel on the rod with a bead and small (1/4-3/4oz) inline egg sinker above the snap swivel. Slice clams into two or three baits with a piece of the foot at the top to put on the hook, leaving a good bit dangling off like a jelly fish, dice up the leftovers for chum. Good luck!

[dell30rb]

thanks!

[wils]

great information, thanks-I tried spades for the first time at the cell a couple weeks ago and had almost the exact same rig you mention but they were biting through the FC like a bluefish through mono. I must have lost a half dozen that way. I'll be going up to 40 lb next time. Think they'll get leader shy?

Thanks again for the info

[caryman33]

I used 30 lb flouro and went with 1/8 oz splitshot and 4 ft of leader. Worked great.

[mwills98]

great information, thanks-I tried spades for the first time at the cell a couple weeks ago and had almost the exact same rig you mention but they were biting through the FC like a bluefish through mono. I must have lost a half dozen that way. I'll be going up to 40 lb next time. Think they'll get leader shy?

Thanks again for the info

You must have been into blues, something else or old line. I have been fishing for them for 5 or 6 years and have never had them bite through the leader, just my experience.