WA Pilchards

[Fordo]

I was fishing Saturday night floating a pilchards on a set of 4/0 ganghooks and on 1 occasion the head of the pillie had been bitten off leaving the rest of the body still on the gangs.
Anyone have an ideas on what species will go at the head first?

[mackmauler]

Sounds like something mrs bobbit would do.

[Fisherman02]

sounds like bream mate did u notice the stomach had been ripped away as well?
cheers jack

[hoga]

cod often take the head first next time it hapens put the pilly on backwards &see how you go
hoga

[Fordo]

The stomach was untouched,When we used to fish to beach we were told about Bream taking the stomach area, and tailor talking the tail.
I couldn't remember what attacked the head first.

[webby]

Hi Where were you fishing, and what bottom structure were you fishing on, would help.
regards

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

You may be finding bottom & crabs are grabbing the bait They generally hold near the head as they gnaw the middle section.

If there's no chance you are finding bottom, don't hate me for saying it Fordo, but poor rigging could be the culprit. If the pillies eye isn't tight into the gape of the hook the head can come off the leading hook turn sideways #to the current & get ripped off. Personally when floating I rig the gang vertically thru the pillie along the spine with the leading hook thru the triangle just it front of the eyes - presents the bait better, doesn't spin as much.



chris

ps. SQUID !!! Squid eat fish head first. I also had some mates at uni who would swallow gold fish head first

[RobRocket]

squid often hit the back of the head first

[Fordo]

Nugget, We were fishing in Bay out from the southern end of pumicestone passage in one of the channels off Gillian's island.
The channel rises up 2 metres from around 8-9 metres but stays pretty flat on the sounder.
I figure the bottom is a bit gravelly as you get shells and rocky lumps come up on the hooks occasionally.

[Fordo]

Chris, I had the gangs vertical up from the underside, but it was like a clean bite. The rest of the pilly didn't have a mark on it which is the real mystery.
Might have to try one rigged backwards next time.