[JohnMckroidJr]

The closest fish to Aussy Yakkas in Florida are the Big Eyed Scads, or Goggle-Eyes as we locals call them. They are arguably the best bait for offshore pelagics. They typically sell for $7 each, or $80/dozen live. The bait’s value makes paying a few extra bucks for a top-quality Hayabusa Sabiki less significant. Allegedly, the skins used on the Hayabusa hooks are superior to generic brands. The Hayabusa D119E is the commercial anglers' standard rig. It has 8 hooks and is used with 16-32oz of lead to keep the baits from tangling the rig. Off the kayak, we use half the rig and typically put a 1/4oz crappie jig on the bottom while slow trolling for Gogs in darkness along the beach. Once the sun rises, the Gogs stop biting, and the crappie jig is swapped out for a 6oz sinker. This rig is good for catching all forms of bait, and the method changes after sunrise. When bait is metered, it is dropped through the bait, usually getting bit on the sink. If no bites occur on the sink, pump the rod while retrieving the rig back up through the bait. Once a bait is on, slowly retrieve, as the motion of the one hooked bait often entices others to strike. As the baits come onboard the kayak, raise the sabiki and then lower it into your live well. Start by using a dehooker on the top hooked bait, and then work down to the bottom bait. Avoid handling the bait prior to use.

If the baits are not biting, sometimes, squid tipped hooks or even Berkley Gulp Maggots can be used to entice a bite. The green glow beads are essential for attracting many species of baits, but some species such as Herring, Menhaden, and Sardines are sometimes better attracted with red glow sabikis.

Scads go by many names: Cavita in Mexico, Akule in Hawaii, and Maasbanker in South Africa. I wonder if the Aussie Yakkas are a high energy bait like the Goggle-Eyes or a soak bait like the Pacific Jack Mackerel?