question on using big live bait on bottom

[jig]

I'm gonna have to try the red bull can thing john. Thanks. I don't usually bring weights, and that is why I guess I don't do the breakaways more. Didn't want to lose the boats weights. On these long trips, I guess I can suck it up and carry on my own. Your line loss example really makes the point. Even on mono its a pain to lose that much line, and mono is damn hard to break off at 80# test.

[Phantom Fisherman]

I made up some weights based on a suggestion from a guy on the 2cool board. I used copper pipe and filled it with lead adding a swivel before it cooled. Would hate to loose them but they were cheap to make as I used all scavaged materials. They lenght of the copper pipe determines the weight. The red bull cans will work too.

Phantom Fisherman

[Snagged]

if your going to make weights like that punch two small holes in the bottoms of the cans. Run some twisted copper wire (10 guage) through the holes and form a loop for your swivel. Use modeling clay to seal the holes befor pouring the lead.
Do the same with copper pipe, except just seal the bottom with clay.

[tngbmt]

i've got a dozen window weights from a neighbor's remodeling project. gonna have to figure a way to cut and use both ends.

[txseadog]

Chopsaw!

Originally Posted by tngbmt

i've got a dozen window weights from a neighbor's remodeling project. gonna have to figure a way to cut and use both ends.

[AJ hunter]

Originally Posted by tngbmt

what's the most efficient way to rig the bigger bait for bottom? thru lips, on back, tail .. ? single or with trailer hook?
i had many instances where the strike left me with just the head (lip hooking). i have a few times when i hook it thru the eyes and the the hook fail to break the ridge of the bait or the bait didnt slide up the line and often the fish threw the hook & bait. i lose more bait using the tail or back hooking on the way down but had more fish boated if i made it to the bottom.
thanks for the help.

If fishing a pinfish or a blue runner with a Carolina rig (fish finder), I like to hook them on the bottom just in front of the anal fin. Since the weight is sitting on the bottom the fish can swim around above it more naturally. A fish hooked through the eyes or in the back swims cock-eyed (it is pulled head down or on its side and tires out easier. I've checked this out scuba diving, so that is why I do it that way. Also the caudal peduncle (the wrist of the tail is narrowed back there, so a circle hook pretty much always gets the job done as the tip doesn't get buried in the side of the fish.