Cub Scout Harbor Fishing

[nauthin]

I somehow found myself in charge of the Cub Scout fishing derby- we'll be at Blake Island fishing off the docks in the harbor and have probably 50 kids. I have no idea what I am doing but want to give the kids a good time- they've been doing this for years in the same spot and it always works out but if there's anything can do to improve I'm all for it.

I currently have a ton of what are essentially bamboo tenkara rods in my basement- as simple as can be each rigged with a tiny hook and sinker and about 10 feet of line. I have no idea how old these are and don't have time to change anything this year, but I figure for what we are after no sense changing/updating them but could be wrong.

I am planning on getting a ton of nightcrawlers, but open to bait suggestions with cost and ease in mind. I have never given much though to fishing in harbors, but I feel like white bread may be a good idea as well. Chum?

I know crab season is closed, but are you allowed to catch and release? We cycle the kids through in groups so I figured I maybe I could pull the trap at the end of their session and see- or would it be a waste of time? Anything else hang out on the bottom near docks- sand dabs? I could rig a couple of my rods if it's worth the effort.

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

 

[Tish]

Interesting, I'm a cub scout leader in shoreline but our pack never does fishing events... Would love to hear more about this one, you're giving me ideas.

When is the event?

I would think that fishing from the dock at Blake island the most you will encounter would be sand dabs, for those I usually use Berkeley gulp 2 inch sandworms which may prove cheaper than night crawlers.

I would check with dfw about catch and release for crab, I would bet you get at least some red rocks even just using a crab ring from the dock there.

 

[swami 805]

A couple baited hoop nets and see what crawls in them. Anything alive would be interesting to kids
X2 on gulp, just about everything eats that and it stays on the hook really good. Get the sand worms

 

[nauthin]

We are going next weekend- this is part of a big campout. Basically we hand the kids the rods and give them about a half hour to catch something. I'm new but apparently they have been doing it for years and they always catch 'something'.

I've only got about 10' of line on the poles. Not sure how deep it is there but they are just dropping off the dock. Probably not on the bottom. Maybe I should add some line for next year?

Good call on the Gulp- should I cut them in half so I have 1" pieces?

 

[kwik_wurk]

Bullhead fishing is what you’re in for. (they’re a type of sculpin from 3” to 16”). They take just about anything, just plop it on the bottom, small trout size hooks. Bacon/hot dog, gulp chunks, small spinner/lures. (they can be caught as shallow as 1’ if they’re following bait/lure perfect kiddo catch. need pliers though, if they inhale the hook, big rigid jaw for their size and small serrated teeth)

10’ is going to be too short for the end of the docks, unless it’s a negative tide.

If you want to get creative the kids can spin fish off the shore side (north or east side) into the sound. With all the skaters out, should be plenty of little ones to be had. (but that might be too much)

 

[rodrage]

Bullhead fishing is what you’re in for. (they’re a type of sculpin from 3” to 16”). They take just about anything, just plop it on the bottom, small trout size hooks. Bacon/hot dog, gulp chunks, small spinner/lures. (they can be caught as shallow as 1’ if they’re following bait/lure perfect kiddo catch. need pliers though, if they inhale the hook, big rigid jaw for their size and small serrated teeth)

10’ is going to be too short for the end of the docks, unless it’s a negative tide.

If you want to get creative the kids can spin fish off the shore side (north or east side) into the sound. With all the skaters out, should be plenty of little ones to be had. (but that might be too much)

Good on you y’all for leading our youth in the right direction,Probably a different species fish you guys are talking about but My first memory of fishing was when I went to visit grandpa in Minnesota he took me
Behind his house to dig worms then out to a pond with a bamboo pole and around 20 feet of line, we caught three or four bullhead / Catfish that day took them back to the house cleaned and had an amazing dinner, Been chasing that “Tug Drug” ever since!

 

[linestripper]

do not believe you can have pots, rings, hoops ect. in water during closed crab seasons. i know it would be fun but may be a bad experience for kids if enforcment showed up.

 

[kimh]

At Westport they catch the heck out of small perch et cetera off the docks around the pilings. On the dock where my slip is I watched and had a great conversation (I like to BS) with a couple older Korean couples who were using Sabiki rigs to catch. Would there be the same type of fish in that area?

 

[nauthin]

Thanks all- great ideas here (keep em coming)! I have an email out to fish and wildlife but I do feel like the answer will be no on the crabbing. Maybe as our nation's last line of defense the Cub Scouts can get a special courtesy permit.

I got some more info and looks like they usually used frozen squid for bait. Makes sense- I was thinking about how to chum the waters anyway.

 

[Siv]

Did a ton of this when my boy was that age including at Blake. Bring a bucket of course so they can keep them alive for a while. You'll get lots of bullhead, small flounders, a few pile perch and even some smolt salmon once in a while, Baits mentioned are all good, tiny Power Bait grubs and something that stays on like bacon is perfect. He was hammering them on prosciutto ham we had along one time. The hard rind part styed on forever. Good for you for getting involved.