Lately fishing for calicos and sandies at the local SB area reefs has been good or very good, but I have two questions about what to do when the fishing gets slower.

1. When the calico/sandy bite gets slow what is your opinion about adding a small squid strip to the swimbait? This seems to work on the partyboats, but that could be because they are going for numbers more than quality. I do not want to try a squid strip if the result is likely only going to be smaller bass and less desirable species.

2. There have been recent days with little or no current or wind when leadheads up to 1 oz. work fine, but what about times with very strong wind and/or very strong current, and fish mostly metered at or near the bottom. At such times I have not been able to work the whole water column all the way to the bottom with 1 oz. (and 12 or 15 lb Maxima)and my bite rate gets lowered. Anchoring is an obvious solution, and I also have a drift anchor (drift sock) as another option. Another obvious option is to use a heavier leadhead. Although it does not seem to be a popular solution among many local anglers I have used 2 and 3 oz. leadheads with some success, more success for sandies than for calicos

My question is this: when leadheads up to 3 oz. do not permit me to fish the whole water column (rare, but it does happen) would it be a waste of time to try a 4 oz. leadhead for sandies and calicos metered at the bottom at such times of strong current/strong wind? I know that the swimbait size has to be adjusted for leadhead size, and I know from rockfishing at the same local reefs that 4 oz. will often be enough to get to the bottom. I also know that heavy leadheads probably eliminate the possibility of bites on the fall.

about the squid strip i would use it as a fish attractor but like you said this will probably get you stuck with smaller less desirable fish.in any case just go out and try each of these situations and see what works for you.earlier today i went out to the one mile and we were stumped no fish except this snagged ronkie.gosh i hate those things!

I prefer a scent like Pro Cure on my swim baits as it does not inhibit the tail kick and body shake. It adds a nice scent without attracting undesireables that might like a squid strip. As far as high wind or strong current, use the drift sock to slow down. Also, the more line you let out (aka scope), the deeper your bait will run/stay down in strike zone. I have only needed a 1- 1.5 oz head on my swimbaits in strong wind/current/deep water. The lighter the line, the better the sink rate and ability to stay down on a retrieve. Good questions asked.

>1. When the calico/sandy bite gets slow what is your
>opinion about adding a small squid strip to the swimbait?

I wont use a squid strip with a swim bait because, as fongster pointed out, it inhibits the swimming action of the tail but I will use a squid strip with a grub or scampi.

You may also want to try to "break out the bug" which is a small mop top spider grub with a small lead head and slooooowly work it along the bottom.

Most of all experiment. Different colors like brown, blue, green, red and orange and smaller baits like the 4" and 3" sizes could trigger a bite from a grumpy sandbass or wary calico.


>2. My question is this: when leadheads up to 3 oz. do not
>permit me to fish the whole water column (rare, but it does
>happen) would it be a waste of time to try a 4 oz. leadhead
>for sandies and calicos metered at the bottom at such times
>of strong current/strong wind?

I haven't used leadheads that heavy but I guess they could work if rigged properly. If you can't hold bottom on the drift with a sock and 1-1/2 ounces I would anchor or you could cast slightly uphill and let the lure fall as you drift towards it. Be careful not to let the line get under the boat. If that still doesn't work you may want to call it a day and try some other time or place.