CUSKS TRAPS

[shaun]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers on how to set up some traps for cusks fishing and if there is any specific baits to use...  if anyone can help your the best!!!!!!   the ice is coming fast hope the wind will die down....   thanks    shaun

[Bugman1964]

I use dead stinky cut bait fished right on the bottom. I usually let the bait sit by the woodstove the day before for proper aging. Large hooks are find for their big mouths. If the water is deep I will slip an egg sinker on the dacron line above the swivel and a couple of feet of leader material easier to find the bottom.

[fishinboots]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers on how to set up some traps for cusks fishing and if there is any specific baits to use...  if anyone can help your the best!!!!!!   the ice is coming fast hope the wind will die down....   thanks    shaun

use big dead shiners on the bottom.  cut bellies open, and buy the little lights for the flags, for the ice fishing traps, and u will b all set.  happy cusk fishin'!!  boots

[james.hunter]

What the heck is a cusk. I looked it up on yahoo and it looks like an ell pout.?

[duck doctor]

What the heck is a cusk. I looked it up on yahoo and it looks like an ell pout.?

They are also called "ling."  There are many different names for these fish.

[shaun]

thanks for the help....  how many traps can u use for the cusks??   thanks shaun

[duck doctor]

6

[rob-s]

sinker has to rest on bottom and leader from sinker to hook can only be six inches.  someone please correct me if this is wrong
and there is no flag involved. its a dead stick

 im assuming your inquiring about nh rules

[duck doctor]

Pg 12 on the NH Freshwater Fishing Digest

"Cusk fishing device: A device for storing line in a manner which is
not free-running and is securely attached to the device and to which
is attached a sinker, weighing at least one ounce, not more than 6
inches above, and independent of, an attached single hook for bait.
The weight must rest on the bottom of the lake."

If you set your tip ups up to be used as a cusk fishing device, make a half hitch on the reel so the fish can't take any line and you are ok.  Your flags will still trip if you leave 1 wrap on the spool.

[rob-s]

1 ounce sinker must rest on bottom. six inches or less from hook.
  didnt realize you may use tipups?  without checking the book, if i remember. do you need your name on the devise? i think so?

    wheres that dambed book 

[duck doctor]

you can as long as the fish can not take any line and your name and addy is on them

[rob-s]

you can as long as the fish can not take any line and your name and addy is on them

 if you leave one wrap on the spool..... the fish is taking line to trip it

[duck doctor]

I have never had a problem with any game warden while fishing like this.   In fact, I have some antique cusk traps made with flags. The line drapes over a spring. When the fish hits, it pops the flag and then has about 1' of free line before it becomes taught.  Never had a problem with those either upon inspection by a C/O.

[rob-s]

you been lucky 

[rob-s]

   i agree it says nothing about slack in your line, just the sinker has to rest on bottom and 6inches from hook.
   how is independant of interpited?
 now wheres that book

[duck doctor]

WWW.HUNTNH.COM

[duck doctor]

This is what I use for my cusk traps.  $.98 ec at Wal Mart

[rob-s]

as to bait i use a chunk of cut bait, sucker. shinner.
 kinda thinking circle hooks would work fine however havent used them before
 i use a v notched piece of wood  20"' / 1.1/2 /1/4   half hitch in center placed over hole
 how do you chip around that plastic after leaving them over nite ?
 place it away from the hole ?
so your 1oz sinker ataches on the hook side of the swivel

[icefshninnh]

i to use the wally world cusk line set up works well just becareful if its frozen in to any slush thanks forshowing the photo duck its a good cheep way for anyone just setting up and light too

[pirkaus]

I use a 1x3 about 2 feet long and half hitch the line around the middle
in the morning I drill a hole next to the hole the line is in
and use a straightened metal coat hanger to reach over and grab the line to check it

[KJB]

What the heck is a cusk. I looked it up on yahoo and it looks like an ell pout.?

good eats

[KJB]

This is what I use for my cusk traps.  $.98 ec at Wal Mart

(Image removed from quote.)

duck, ever had problems with them braking in the cold-or the occasionly misplaced ice chisel?

[duck doctor]

duck, ever had problems with them braking in the cold-or the occasionly misplaced ice chisel?

I miss placed a studded track once........never even hurt the trap.  They will handle quite a bit of abuse.  I have kicked them, stomped on them, and really abused them and I am still on the same set of 6.

[shaun]

thanks for all the info guys...  won't be long before we are all out the ice fishing....  shaun