NEWB question- Baiting

[derka-derka]

I've started learning fishing for a few months, and theres a problem with my baiting methods i reakon. I cant bait pilchards on securely. after a cast they are either lost in the water or the meat is all mashed up...i normally use 2/0 or 4/0 hooks.... and also when i use prawns or chicken strips, fish come in and bite but they hardly bite on the hook...

[Luc]

For pilchards you're better off to use ganged hooks. Use 3 to 4 hooks depending on the size of the bait.

When using strip baits, I use a 2 hook gang using suitable sied hooks depending on the species you're trying to catch.

Prawns, either shelled or unshelled are a delicate bait. Casting too hard will often dislodge them from the hook. To help them stay on you can try hooks with slices alonf the shank.

In all cases, make certain the hook point is exposed and that the size of the hook is suitable for the bait you're using.

If you visit your local tackle store, they can advise you about rigs and hooks for different baits. You might also be able to get a DVD on the subject. Alvey reels put out a good one.

Luc

[rockfisho]

There are also many books showing precisely how to rig up pilchards, and other baits like strip, squid, prawn, livies, cunje etc. Eg. Beach and Rock fishing by Gary Brown

rockfisho

[derka-derka]

chers guys...i pretty much get my pilchards from petrol station, would they be too dodgy? they're not fresh for sure...

[disorderly]

Mate, try using some squid or fish fillets cut into strips(with the skin left on,hook through both flesh and skin)).This gives you a bit more of a chance as its harder for the fish to get the bait off.

cheers Scott

[QuintrexII]

Here's how I was taught to bait a Pillie - works for servo and bait shop bait.
I'm right handed, so if you're a leftie, swap everything around to the opposite.

In the palm of my left hand I hold the Pillie with its head pointing towards my stomach, and tail sitting at the tip of my middle finger - the stomach of the Pillie is on the left hand side.

I use 3 ganged hooks.

With my right hand I line up the barbs of the 3 ganged hooks on the top of the Pillie straight down the centre where the spine would be. I line up the barb of the top hook (which has the line knotted to it) over the Pillies eye.

So when it's laid out sitting on top, you can see where each of the hooks is to enter the Bait, with the top hook going straight through the eyes of the Pillie.

so the top hook through the eyes and the bottom two can go either side of the spine where you've lined them up to.. I've heard different peoploe say below or over the spine - this is something for you to figure out which works best for you.

But whether it's the first Pillie of the day, or the 150th - I line each one up in my hand with the hooks on top everytime, that way I get a beautifully presented bait that doesn't fasll off in casting or in heavy current.