I went to Bass Pro tonight to look around for some supplies. I found some sabiki rigs, but they had various hook sizes and I wasn't sure which would work best in the Keys. Any tips?

Thanks!

What kind of bait are you trying to catch? I like size 3 for pilchards and other whitebait, and a few sizes larger for pinfish, grunts and wrasses.

I'm going for pilchards. Thanks!

Go with the size 3, don't get the cheap ones in the 99cent bin, they have these big plastic beads on them and don't work for pilchards. Spend the extra money for the Hayabusa or even the Bass Pro brand ones with flourocarbon leaders. Green or orange color.

Great thank you! I almost snagged some of those 99 cent ones... but I figured I'd better ask before spending

The 99 cent ones are fine for pinfish, grunts, and other stuff that you tip with squid for. But ususally the pilchards, threadfins, etc are more picky.

I buy the 99 cent ones in size 14 and then just cut the beads off.....without the beads, they work fine for pilchards and dines.

They work fine for me, and I fish 6 and 8.Never have issues. I use a very light weight on them, or any bikis. 1/4 or 1/2 oz.

From the piers when the pilchards are thick, I'd agree. However, in the Keys where he wants to use them, the pilchards usually aren't balled up as thick as they are off the piers, and I've had much better luck with the ones that I listed, especially catching them under a lantern at night.

Marathon sabikis work fine and they're only like a dollar something at Walmart.

I wasn't talking about the piers. I said they work fine for me. That meant the Keys too. I worked baitfishing for over 10 years. You tend to learn little secrets and tweeks after doing in so much in so many different places.

I use #4 green sabiki for pretty much for most bait in the keys. I prefer the floro sabiki with no glow beads.

how are you guys working the sabiki? trying to get some tips

The .99 cent ones are crap. The hooks are cheap and break on the first or second drop. Bottom line is you only get what you pay for.

You use enough weight so the sabiki does not get carried out by the current. Subtle jigging motion. You do not need to jig it like a mad man.