How do you rig small dorado?

Tj, the only way I have seen them done is to rig them like you would a live bonita.. wax thread through the eye sockets to a big circle hook. I am sure there are other ways.. but thats how I have seen it done on a video..

 

Tj,
My understanding is that the dorado do not last as long as a bonita would bridled, so I would probably rig them the same way and use it as a skip-type bait after it dies.. I am sure that MrBill or GS would have some better advice as they have chased marlin for many years...

 

Live bait troll dorado.
When I've rigged em alive I found you must troll very slow or they spin and expire.
Used as a skip bait there much better and skip well on a rigger with a long bridle and a circle.
Watch out for Hammerheads, where I am they love em as livies!

 

If you are going to drift over a hot area just hook as in picture. They swim better than bridle rig. If slow trolling, bridle rig the live dolphin.

I've rigged dead dolphin in the past with good results. Splitting the tail is also productive. I rig them similar to a ballyhoo. Without showing you a diagram, just think of the chicken dolphin as a ballyhoo.

It's been a while since I've done it. Last time I did it we caught a white marlin in only 140 feet in Sept off Port A. That was about 15 years ago. Somewhere I have a really nice book on rigging dead baits. I'll look for it.

Below is a pic of a live chicken for drifting and a bridle rig dead bait. I prefer the ballyhoo style dead rig with the hook near the anus and leader coming out of gills and sewed to mouth. Sorry, don't have picture of that method.

 

Mr.Bill,

Thank you, for sharing.

Do you know who write a good book or video about rigging bait and lure for marlin?

This is a good book on rigging baits.

Amazon.com: Complete Book of Baits, Rigs and Tackle: Books: Vic Dunaway

Also, "Encyclopedia of fishing knots & rigs" by Geoff Wilson is a good book. He doesn't show as many ways to rig baits.

I have numerous books and videos at the coast. I'm planning on going this weekend, so I'll try to remember to bring them back with me.

 

I'm planning on going this weekend, so I'll try to remember to bring them back with me.



I hope you get to wet a hook!!

 

I hope you get to wet a hook!!

I just finished packing. Hope to make it down by Midnight. Not the best of weather, but I'll take it. I'm going on a nice boat so I don't have to worry about all the little details. Pretty much walk on, help clean the boat and fish and be done. I will wet a hook Friday morning in the nice 5 footers that will greet me. No problem, my organs need a test to see if they are still attached properly. I should really fish Saturday as weather should be better, but boat duty is calling.
There is no substitute for maintenance.

 

i have some friends headed down to Freeport right now.. I keep telling him he is crazy for taking a 21 foot offshore boat witha single engine out there 40 miles.... He has bigger walnuts than me!! Hes gonna be spoiled when he steps on Capt Eddies boat in October.. I am hoping those tuna absolutely spoil us rotten.. wont ever be the same... wil be trading the skeeter for a Grady WHite...hehe.. Saw one on I-635 with twin 250's yesterday on my way home from work.. I immediately starting drooling!!! It was as long as my truck, so pretty close to 30 feet.

they "bugged" out.... too rough getting out past the stroms to the good weather

 

Also, "Encyclopedia of fishing knots & rigs" by Geoff Wilson is a good book. He doesn't show as many ways to rig baits.


We heard of a supposedly new book/DVD by Geoff Wilson that will include lots of ways to rig baits, as well as his encyclo' of knots.