cusk

[speedyrower17]

i'm going to be cusk fishing next week sometime, i have never done it so i was wondering for some tips. we already know where we will b fishing so i'm not looking for spot. dead bait on the bottom? drop offs or shallows?  any help is appreciated

[mtaeagles15]

If i was you id fish 5 10 15 fow. Find a place that is rocky. Cusk feed on crayfish

[fishon--fishoff]

If i was you id fish 5 10 15 fow. Find a place that is rocky. Cusk feed on crayfish

well said...and if you are to jig I would use a lure that will make a tinging sound of the rock to imitate a crayfish

[speedyrower17]

thanks guys.. much appreciated

[lovtofish]

Both of the above posts are right on.  Just to add my thoughts, I like to use dead "smelly" bait like suckers or sea smelts that have been around awhile.  The more they stink the better.  Just chunk them up and put them on the botton.  I use Sweedish Pimples tip with dead bait.  Shallow water is better this time of year as they will be coming in to shore to spawn.  Hope this helps.
Norm

[speedyrower17]

thanks

[buddah]

Don't be afraid to use a big bait,I use suckers 6-10 inches long with a good boot stomp.Hook them through the lip.A good size cusk has no problem inhaling a big bait plus i've caught quite a few togue this way while cusk fishing at night.I like fresh bait because of the togue factor.As others have said,5-20 fow seems to produce well in Febuary.

[MaineFishah]

I use leftover smelt from the spring dipping that have been in the freezer all summer. I put 2-3 on a size 2 hook and lay it right on bottom. The more they freeze and then thaw, the smellier they get and the cusk love them. Also keep them inside your coat in a ziploc bag so your body heat makes them warm and smelly also.

[fishingsurveyor]

well said...and if you are to jig I would use a lure that will make a tinging sound of the rock to imitate a crayfish

Thats the first time i heard of jigging cusk. I did not realize you could get them that way. and another first is i did not know crayfish made a tinging sound... whats up with that they got a steel shell 

[flytyr]

I would like to fish for cusk too. Should I try fishing for them at night and do you guys get alot of perch fishing on the bottom?

[MaineFishah]

4-6 inch glow grub style jigs work well too.

[MaineFishah]

Up your way flytyr I would say fish them at night. My family always used to fish them at night on Long and Square back a while ago. There are only two places that I have had consistently good luck fishing for them during the day and that is Chesuncook and East Grand.

[fishon--fishoff]

Thats the first time i heard of jigging cusk. I did not realize you could get them that way. and another first is i did not know crayfish made a tinging sound... whats up with that they got a steel shell 

[flytyr]

Up your way flytyr I would say fish them at night. My family always used to fish them at night on Long and Square back a while ago. There are only two places that I have had consistently good luck fishing for them during the day and that is Chesuncook and East Grand.

Thanks I'm proably going to long saturday and will try for cusk then. Gives me something to do with my other 4 lines when i'm jigging for smelt.