Sculpins

[PowerLizard]

11 hours ago, Seth said:

Is there something holding the line in place towards the tail to keep it streamlined? Looks like something is wrapped around to hold the line against the body, but I can see clear enough to say for certain.

Yes.  The Guide on the White River used a large Aberdeen hook through the sculpin’s body, then did a loop of line around the tail.  He would anchor the boat when the water levels were rising and toss the bait downstream.  The rigged sculpin would be facing downstream.

Sorry for posting about bait and Berkley soft plastics on the Taneycomo forum.  I am new to fishing the Ozarks and did not know about all of the different rules for each body of water.

[Johnsfolly]

8 hours ago, trythisonemv said:

This might be a good solution

Looks pretty close to me.

[trythisonemv]

12 hours ago, PowerLizard said:

Yes.  The Guide on the White River used a large Aberdeen hook through the sculpin’s body, then did a loop of line around the tail.  He would anchor the boat when the water levels were rising and toss the bait downstream.  The rigged sculpin would be facing downstream.

Sorry for posting about bait and Berkley soft plastics on the Taneycomo forum.  I am new to fishing the Ozarks and did not know about all of the different rules for each body of water.

You can use bait just have to think about what zone you are in like a trout park 😆 the mouth of fall creek up to dam is no go... Below that you can use anything bait wise

[Seth]

On 9/21/2022 at 10:22 PM, PowerLizard said:

Yes.  The Guide on the White River used a large Aberdeen hook through the sculpin’s body, then did a loop of line around the tail.  He would anchor the boat when the water levels were rising and toss the bait downstream.  The rigged sculpin would be facing downstream.

Sorry for posting about bait and Berkley soft plastics on the Taneycomo forum.  I am new to fishing the Ozarks and did not know about all of the different rules for each body of water.

I've fished sculpins a few times in recent years in the same fashion and caught some very nice fish on Taneycomo. We also missed a lot of fish. The way that was rigged looks like a good way to solve that issue. We were just using #2 circle hook through the lips. The majority of Taneycomo is open to fishing whatever so you're fine. The upper few miles is artificial (no plastics or bait) only. The White River has similar areas as well.

[Gavin]

Big browns will eat minnow/sculpin but you’ll gut hook them with rigs like that. Dead sculpins/stone roller s in the 3-5” range are perfect on a quick strike rig. On small minnows a jig hook in through the mouth, out the gill, then through the side so the dead minnow lays flat on its side with its mouth tight to the jig.  I just use  the $$$ suspending jerk baits from Japan. It’s easier than cast netting for fresh bait.

[trythisonemv]

26 minutes ago, Gavin said:

Big browns will eat minnow/sculpin but you’ll gut hook them with rigs like that. Dead sculpins/stone roller s in the 3-5” range are perfect on a quick strike rig. On small minnows a jig hook in through the mouth, out the gill, then through the side so the dead minnow lays flat on its side with its mouth tight to the jig.  I just use  the $$$ suspending jerk baits from Japan. It’s easier than cast netting for fresh bait.

Im gonna feed them a streamer Wednesday morning hopefully. Made in USA 😆

[Gavin]

Break a leg!

[trythisonemv]

3 hours ago, Gavin said:

Break a leg!

Ive caught several on the big streamer now. And caught a few from taney. Lost a giant in the dark couple years ago. We shall see

[Seth]

19 hours ago, Gavin said:

Big browns will eat minnow/sculpin but you’ll gut hook them with rigs like that. Dead sculpins/stone roller s in the 3-5” range are perfect on a quick strike rig. On small minnows a jig hook in through the mouth, out the gill, then through the side so the dead minnow lays flat on its side with its mouth tight to the jig.  I just use  the $$$ suspending jerk baits from Japan. It’s easier than cast netting for fresh bait.

Dipping worms around rocks at night on Taneycomo for bait is kind of fun though! We used to catch crawfish for bait in the same manner when creeking when we were younger.

[lundau]

Seth how do you weight the sculpin  , drift rig or slip weight with swivel and leader.