live bait hooking

[C@RLO5]

is it better to hook live baits through the back or up through the mouth (if possible) i have heard it varies on the species being targeted but not how it applies...

[Serge.]

Back of the head above the lateral line with a small stinger if possible. The possible being if the species and bait itself is durable enough. Through the tail tends to drown them if any current is running and lip hooking is good for all but the most violent and incomplete of takes.

[-spiro-]

I find putting a 6/0 blak magic through top and bottom of the mouth. Then i put a 4/0 [thick, short shanked like a mustard]just above the anus. I use 80 pound leader. I find alot of fish hit either the head or gut first. This method keeps your live bait in good nick for hours.

[drb]

I recently saw a so called guide in Darwin use a treble in the back of a mullet below the dorsal.

[Billo]

my techiques vary depending on target, location and current .

If slow trolling or fishing in a current i will generally pin them through the nostrills .
This will keep your fish alive much much longer ! in these cases i will fish in freespool with the ratchet on , to allow the fish enough slack to grab and scoff the bait right down without birds nesting

If live baiting for mangrove jack in canal with live mullet ...i tend to pin them through the back of the head with a small treble pinned back at the tail and hand feed the line out with no float or weights.

If live baiting off the rocks under a float , i will pin a single hook through the back , but if the bait doesn't want to swim out , i will change the position to the back of the tail , and keep the slightest amount of tension on the line to ensure that the fish is facing away , thus making it swim away from the rocks .

[C@RLO5]

thanks for that Billo, much appreciated mate, i was curious to see how others hook their livies to try and even out my Strike/Hookup ratio, but then again it can never be perfect

[kevy]

yo carlos, if slow trolling live bait place a straight hook through upper jaw ( don,t kill the bait by going too close to brain) also useing a stinger behind anus. if on the pick use a set hook above dorsal. depends on conditions such as current, bait size, target size. kevy

[-spiro-]

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I find putting a 6/0 blak magic through top and bottom of the mouth. Then i put a 4/0 [thick, short shanked like a mustard]just above the anus. I use 80 pound leader. I find alot of fish hit either the head or gut first. This method keeps your live bait in good nick for hours.

5 slimy's and 5 hook-ups. Lost 2 fish due to been dragged into coarl reef.

[vertico]

no offence but shouldnt this be in tackle / accessories or saltwater chat ?