Spot are a relatively small saltwater panfish that are a big deal to Carolina fishermen in the fall. Traditionally, the autumn spot run is a time for anglers to pack pier pilings and inlet mouth catching the little fish, which are cousins of the larger and more glamorous redfish and speckled trout and just right for the frying pan. A mess of fall spot is the most popular seafood dish in the fall in the Carolinas.
To order the best spot bait, Fishbites artificial bloodworms, at a great price click here.
Spot are caught on bottom rigs, usually two-hook rigs, held down by 2 or 3 ounce sinkers. They run in the surf and in the inshore waterways and rivers. In the fall folks fish the left side of the piers which faces north or east, because spot are running down the coast and will not go under a pier. You will often see fall piers packed with people only fishing the left side.
Traditionally the best bait for spot is live bloodworms, cut up into small pieces. Live bloodworms are imported into the Carolina from Maine and Canada and are a very expensive bait, however, and for years tackle shops and bait stores would jack up the prices in the fall (frankly, they still do) so that a bag of bloodworms can run anywhere from $8 to$13 and even higher ridiculous numbers.
Fortunately in the last few years science has given Carolina spot anglers a break. The company Fishbites, which makes artificial synthetic cut baits, came out with an artificial bloodworm cut bait sold as Bag O’ Worms.
Fishermen soon found out that the artificial bloodworms work every bit as good as the real thing, and in fact better since the mesh in them helps them to stay on the hook so that you can catch spot after spot on the same little piece. This is a huge money-saver for spot fishermen over buying live bloodworms.
You can now buy these Fishbites bloodworms in most coastal Carolina tackle shops and piers for around $7 to $8. Or, if you really want to save money, you can order them from my Tackle Shop at Surf and Salt.
I promise you won’t be disappointed in the Fishbites bloodworms. They have been a huge money-saver for all of us who love to catch spot in the fall in the Carolinas.
For more fishing articles see my book Surf and Saltwater Fishing in the Carolinas and my blog A Dash of Salty
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