Advice on Whiting Heads

[T1]

Hi All

Just after a bit of advice on the correct way to rig a whiting head for Snapper.

Yesterday, i used a 4/0 needlepoint hook, which was inserted from under the bottom of the mouth and up through the nose. I had this on a long 40lb trace (approx 1.2 metres) with a sinker above the swivel to keep it down while drifting. I had the Drag locked on the Baitrunner but it was one full turn less than the setting for i have for fighting a fish (to allow a bit of freedom in the run).

I got hit a couple of times with one resulting in a long run before spitting the whole head and hook. The other times they just crushed the head. Coincidentally, the dirty big cattie managed to hook itself though!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Take Care T

[Pistol_P]

Hey T,

Mate I have used a snell set up before.

Try this Link....

http://www.fishnet.com.au/library/kn...don2hooks.html

The method is used for a Barracouta head but the whiting head rig is the same anyway.

Pete

[Reel Nauti]

Hi T

I read that thread and found it very enjoyable. I too have used whiting heads over the years, but I shove the shank of the hook up through the throat from the neck end. Pass the eye out through the mouth, then tie it on. (long shank hook of course). Leave the gape exposed against the gills, or shove the point up into the head as well if the shanks not long enough to allow the eye to come through the mouth.

Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but I think it might give you a better chance.

Cheers mate

Dave

[T1]

Hey Pete!

That's the type of rig is use with my Mullet fillets when fishing for Snapper - makes sense but just wonder whether it's too busy looking for a whiting head? I'll give it a go next time and see what pans out!

Dave - the hooks i prefer to use aren't long enough for that although if i used diver whiting then that would be ok i guess.

Take Care T

[Jackinthebox]

I used to use whiting heads mate.

Nothing less than a 6/0 or 7/0 though. Hook once up through the roof of the mouthabout a cm back from the lips & out the top with heaps of gape showing. Even 2 kg snapper will woof 'em down & get hooked.

Cheers,
Mick

[webby]

take a length of mono, and loop a circle on it, pass it through the eyes and tie off under the head

[marcus d]

I find it best to gently squash the head with my heel , as an old fisho once told me in side a whitings head is a gland that when squashed lets out a scent that drives snapper nuts

[oldboot]

is it worth running a stinger hook out the back or a sliding keeper hook on the leader.
I can see that a singe hook might be a bit short on hook up.

perhaps replace one of the hooks with a trebble.


cheers