Now that I've caught 2 sub-legals and saw a 14#r(actually a pic at a bait shop) caught in the same general area the day before, I want to know how to go for the big dogs.
I know they have a love for live squid, but barring that, what is the favored bait, lure, rigging technique, presentation, etc?
I prefer to use lures but if I feel the need I'll use bait.
Will they hit froven squid better than a live 'dine? Would the old squid wrapper on a live 'dine be better? How far off the bottom would you run a 3-way to a bait?
What are favored lures aside from 'dine color swimbaits? I've heard they like white Tady's and the like. I have a wht/yel/brown Iron man 5 and a blu/wht Tady. Are Rapalas good and what size and color.
What depths do they like? I've been hearing that bigger ones(+20#) have been hitting near Moss Landing in 35-50' of water, but that area is usually a lot rougher than the New Brighton Beach area.
Any and all info is appreciated.

Tight lines,
Wade

My favorite swimbaits for seabass are the 6 inch Big Hammer Rainbow Trout and the 6.5 inch Fishtrap Channel Island Chovie. Leadhead size depends on how deep you're fishing.

Fastracs work great also.

Keep in mind, all (or most) of the posts you read about on here regarding white seabass, are for use from a float tube, kayak or other inshore, skiff type vessel (Brandon's dinghy...). They may be productive at other times, on big boats, but for the most part, they're for float tubing. So, with that said, if you want to get serious about seabass fishing, the general rigs are a fresh dead, or live squid on a dropper loop, or a white jig with a red squiggle. Frozen squid doesn't compare to fresh dead or live. Those are the two rigs that probably account for the majority of serious seabass. You can also put that white/red squiggle jig on the bottom of the dropper loop instead of the weight, and you can also pin a squid or two onto it. Use a Tady 4/0 sized jig.
-Brian

I do not know if this applies to wsb, but when I only had access to frozen squid I preferred to buy it a supermarket figuring that supermarket squid has likely been more carefully handled because it is for human consumption and baitshop frozen squid is not. I think that I actually paid less for it at a supermarket too. Nothing beats live, but if you are going to use frozen it should be in as good condition as possible.

Unfortunately not all markets carry frozen whole squid, but just strips.

Bob