Cusk Bait.

[Oddfish]

I'm interested in what people use for cusk bait.  I've heard a lot of strange things. Still trying to cross that fish off the list. 

Thanks in advance,  Oddfish

[whtmtniceman]

X2

[Fishsavage]

I use Live or dead shiners on a cusk line.  Sometimes if the day is coming to an end and I have a shiner or smelt on my tip up I will throw it on a cusk line for the night.  Cusk are very carnivorous and aggressive, most of the time I'm using a live shiner for cusk lines but I'm not afraid to throw a dead one one- they can be garbage pickers.  Another option if you have crayfish - I would use those in a heart beat.  Every cusk I keep has at least 2-3 crayfish in them- probably why the cusk taste so good

I'll jig for them too - I know people do well late night cusking but my best luck is right when the sun goes down and your trying to get that last laker.  Typically I'll catch them on a bucktail tipped with the bait of your choice at that time (i.e. sucker, smelt, shiner).  If your trying to target them, find areas of structure or at least a rocky area - you'll do much better than just a sandy area - just my 2 cents.

Hope this helps, these usually work me on Newfound.  Speaking of ice fishing its been a terrible year for me, haven't even had the chance to get out there, but hopefully soon.  Tight lines

[NHSlabbinCabin]

Live shiner over/near chum works sometimes. Most of the time I'll have 3 with a dead cut shiner & 3 with a live shiner

[Oddfish]

Thanks.

Oddfish

[potatomansoup]

If I am using set lines, I use a 1/0 hook with 2 or 3 dead shiners. If the cusk are around  I get them on almost all my lines.

I haven't gotten them jiggin yet, but plan on giving it a shot.
If you need a productive spot for set lines, PM me and I will help out.
Clay

[JIGGIN-]

I use Live or dead shiners on a cusk line.  Sometimes if the day is coming to an end and I have a shiner or smelt on my tip up I will throw it on a cusk line for the night.  Cusk are very carnivorous and aggressive, most of the time I'm using a live shiner for cusk lines but I'm not afraid to throw a dead one one- they can be garbage pickers.  Another option if you have crayfish - I would use those in a heart beat.  Every cusk I keep has at least 2-3 crayfish in them- probably why the cusk taste so good

I'll jig for them too - I know people do well late night cusking but my best luck is right when the sun goes down and your trying to get that last laker.  Typically I'll catch them on a bucktail tipped with the bait of your choice at that time (i.e. sucker, smelt, shiner).  If your trying to target them, find areas of structure or at least a rocky area - you'll do much better than just a sandy area - just my 2 cents.

Hope this helps, these usually work me on Newfound.  Speaking of ice fishing its been a terrible year for me, haven't even had the chance to get out there, but hopefully soon.  Tight lines

Dead on!

x2

JIGGIN.

[surflizard]

Crack the body cavity of the crayfish before you drop them down, the scent trail brings them arunnin !

[Oddfish]

Alright time for the silly question,  If they like crayfish do they like native shrimp (ocean type)?

Oddfish

[surflizard]

The Old timers swore by shrimp, puts out a heavy scent trail !

[Capt. Black]

Alright time for the silly question,  If they like crayfish do they like native shrimp (ocean type)?

Oddfish

They might not but I certainly do. Buy plenty so you can eat and bait.

Capt. Black

[salmon stalker]

ODD, read the regs on cusk fishing before you go as well. Some different laws than people would think.

Article here
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/icefishing/cusk_fishing.html

Pic of rig and some laws
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/icefishing/cusk_line.html

Cusk sure do taste great, I have used sucker meat and dead smelt with the head off, for some reason I had more luck with head off my smelt than head on. Not sure why but for me they do.

Good luck

[NHSlabbinCabin]

I browsed one of those links and found this line;
''The angler's name and address must be plainly marked on each device. On the business end, you must have a sinker or weight not less than one ounce in size (also must be lead-free), and not more than six inches above the single, baited hook.''
What's with the lead-free weight? I feel like that's incorrect. 1oz or greater? HMMMMMMM.........

[salmon stalker]

Good question, I thought normally 1oz or more you CAN use lead...but maybe not with cusk fishing??? I dont know...maybe Supervisor at F&G can chime in on this.

[JIGGIN-]

Also try using glow in the dark bucktails....I use white, charge them up and send em down tipped with bait.

I jig so that I'm basically stirring up bottom. Not a lot of high lifting.

JIGGIN.

[surflizard]

If that is how it it is worded verbatem, then technically all the lead weight equipted cush traps that the bait and tackle shops are selling are Illegal ! Isn't that Special ?? They can pop us for it, but they can sell them ?? whats wrong with this picture ??

[Pail Rider]

If that is how it it is worded verbatem, then technically all the lead weight equipted cush traps that the bait and tackle shops are selling are Illegal ! Isn't that Special ?? They can pop us for it, but they can sell them ?? whats wrong with this picture ??

Not to mention MY cusk traps that have 1.25oz lead weights on them. 

[Capt. Black]

From the rule book:

•The use of lead sinkers (1 ounce or less) and jigs (less than 1 inch along its longest axis) is prohibited in all freshwater. Sale of lead sinkers (1 ounce or less) and jigs (less than 1 inch along its longest axis) is prohibited.

Also when refering to Cusk Lines:

h) one-ounce sinker minimum required by law (must be non-lead if one ounce or less)

I found these in the freshwater fishing rules on the f&g website. Hope this helps.

Capt. Black

[Pail Rider]

From the rule book:

h) one-ounce sinker minimum required by law (must be non-lead if one ounce or less)

Thanks Capt. 

One ounce sinker minimum required....but if its less than one ounce, it must be non-leaded.  Worded strange.  Maybe people are using 2 half ounce sinkers 

[Capt. Black]

Thanks Capt. 

One ounce sinker minimum required....but if its less than one ounce, it must be non-leaded.  Worded strange.  Maybe people are using 2 half ounce sinkers 

One ounce or less. It is written funny.

Capt. Black

[HardTellinNotKnowin]

I used large live shiners this weekend and landed one 2lber overnight,  expensive ROI.  I had better luck the previous weekend when i chummed every hole with 4/6 lines producing.  Cusk are mostly nocturnal hunters so I think it helps to have the holes heavily scent ed. Heard about an old fisherman's trick to chum the holes that I'm going to try this weekend. 

[sincityrednek]

I have sun rendered fish oil left over from trapping season, I'm thinking of letting some dead bait sit in it to "marinate" in the fridge for a couple days before i use it. I'll let you know.

[Supervisor]

I browsed one of those links and found this line;
''The angler's name and address must be plainly marked on each device. On the business end, you must have a sinker or weight not less than one ounce in size (also must be lead-free), and not more than six inches above the single, baited hook.''
What's with the lead-free weight? I feel like that's incorrect. 1oz or greater? HMMMMMMM.........

I'll admit that wording is a little confusing in that article regarding what size weights need to be lead free.  I'll fix that tomorrow.  Capt. Black has pointed out the correct rule (all sinkers weighing 1 oz or less must be lead-free).  Thanks Capt. Black!

[Capt. Black]

Thanks Capt. Black!

Your welcome. Always willing to help a fellow outdoorsman out. Thank you for keeping us informed.

Capt. Black

[NHSlabbinCabin]

Thanks Supervisor! I almost read right past it. It's awesome to have a F&G guy on here. I'm sure you get a kick out of some of the posts!

[Supervisor]

Thanks Supervisor! I almost read right past it. It's awesome to have a F&G guy on here. I'm sure you get a kick out of some of the posts!

I check this forum quite often.  I like to keep my finger on the pulse of our anglers.  You guys and gals are our bread and butter!

[Capt. Black]

I check this forum quite often.  I like to keep my finger on the pulse of our anglers.  You guys and gals are our bread and butter!

Too funny, my fathers cousin used to own a septic company and their moto, on the sides of their trucks, was "Your S**T is our bread and butter". I know you don't mean it in that context but whenever I hear that I can't help but have a good laugh. Any ways, thanks for answering questions and helping out. It is much appreciated. Sorry for the thread hijack.

Capt. Black