Running hooks thru yabbies?

[Swanie1975]

Hi all I need some advice on using yabbies for bait. I finally was successful in targeting whiting in the Broadwater in the middle of the day even with jet boats, floatplanes and jet skis roaring all around us lol.

We pumped a heap of good size yabbies and tried different ways of putting them on the hooks while watching the whiting attacking them in the shallows and getting away without being hooked! Exciting visual fishing but annoying lack of hook-ups.

The rig was a small hook with tiny running ball sinker and trace of about 1/2 metre on light gear but I find the yabbies very soft and sort of smear off. Still came home with a feed but loads of whiting about so would like a few more.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers ryan

[shaungonemad]

long shank hook in the tail out the front you dont get many chances with them, If they are close in the shallows small poppers are worth ago.

[goat boy]

Yep, second the long shank hook (like you would use to pin a long bit of beach worm on). Pin them twice thru the tail (pin it through, then turn it around and back through again), doesn't kill them so they still get to move around and an extra bit of stability in keeping them there. Get the barb coming up through the tail when your finished.

[Captain Seaweed]

yep long shank, in the tail and come out gently at the hard plate between the legs then pull it on so it is straight and not curved. Use super light leader and a small ball sinker and drift through them or keep bait moving if in the shallows and you should be onto them.

[BLOOEY]

I use tiny baitholders size 6. Into the bum and out the underside pull partially out and twist 180 and push barb through to the top of it. Works well for big whiting as it holds well and they dont suck it straight off the hook but can be a pain when small tings and bream are around though as they usually get hooked deep. Ben

[Swanie1975]

Thanks for the replies guys I will give that a go next chance I get,
Cheers Ryan