losing spaniards

[Taylor2]

Been losing a hell of alot of spanish makeral recently through pulling the hooks and not really sure why? If anyone could offer some pointers here that would be appreciated.

I've been doing OK with spaniards at anchor, just driftng pillies and fusilers whilst fishing for other specises. Once hooked up I usually land 2 out of three. Most fish lost spit the hook...trolling on the other hand has led to frustration...90 percent seem to throw the hook....faaark

I troll mono and braid and both seem to have the same result. I've tried light and heavy drag...also tried tightening up once the first run is over but after a few minutes they seem to spit it...I tried ganged hooks with and with out a stinger...I have tried alot of lures but they always seem to go for a trolled gar...anyways if anyone has been here before and could share some experience that would be great...or maybe i'm just unlucky..lol

[trueblue]

what sized and style hooks are you using?

[FNQCairns]

What about rigging with a stinger, I don't bother and usually just fish fairly basic, happy to just be out there a lot of the time, still there have been days I wished i went the extra little bit.

[Jono_SS]

Are you using a weight on the garfish rig? if so, is it attached to the first hook, or a free running barrel sinker?

[tunaticer]

I would be changing the rig to some form of circle hooks linked on a multistrand wire for your trolling baits. Circle hooks require no physical hookset strike and rely on the fish running forward with the bait to pull the point behind the jaw hinge and entering there, always resulting in a hookup that will not tear free or drop out.
As Jono mentioned, a weight attached directly to the hooks is more likely to fail as the weight acts like a hammer on the hooks being solidly mounted and bash the hole in the mouth larger and larger.

[Coddie]

Hey Mate,

Never had that problem, I generally set the hook (gangs) during the initial run, a couple of pumps of the rod with medium drag, if anything I've lost them due to crappy hooks coming apart from the gang. Also what type of rod you using? Maybe not enough play in the rod?

[eureka]

try setting the hooks by hitting the throttle when the fish strikes just make sure the rest of the crew knows what you will be doing on the strike

[Taylor2]

I would be changing the rig to some form of circle hooks linked on a multistrand wire for your trolling baits. Circle hooks require no physical hookset strike and rely on the fish running forward with the bait to pull the point behind the jaw hinge and entering there, always resulting in a hookup that will not tear free or drop out.
As Jono mentioned, a weight attached directly to the hooks is more likely to fail as the weight acts like a hammer on the hooks being solidly mounted and bash the hole in the mouth larger and larger.

I think you might have hit it on the head there. I have been using a lead weight which sits under the gars head. It has two metal spikes which push through the head and the gar is secured to the weight with rubber bands. I have tried gangs and one hook with a stinger attached to the lead weight. I also put a pink squid over the top. They seem to love it but throw the hooks almost every time. Also, for some reason I seem to do better at 4 - 5 knots rather than faster...

Might have to jump on you tube and get this swimming gar rig sorted. I'm pretty new to this game and just working it out as i go.

At anchor I have been drifting pillies with a small sinker just to keep it from the birds, with two 5/0's ganged. I don't use wire as they usually go straight past the baits with wire. I have only been bitten off once. I've also noticed latley they seem to like movement in the pillie...most hook ups have been when the bait is drifting just after deploying or it is being wound in...just don't have the patients to cast and retrive them all day


what sized and style hooks are you using?

2 x 8/0 J hooks ganged or one 8/0 J hook with a stinger