Hi Uncle Russ,
Here are my take on this subject.
LJ93's questions brought up a few of my own about chunking (and live bait fishing which I would like to tack on here for your opinions:
1. Leader Length:I seem to recall that people tend to use longer leaders when chunking (as opposed to jigging, topwater, and deep drop.) Outside of those of you who use a 25-100 yard topshot, who long do you make the nylon or flourocarbon portion of your line?3-4ft long fluorocarbon is all I use
2. Swivels: Do you use them when chunking? I would think the line twist could get pretty severe with a big irregular chunk of meat on the end in a current. On the other hand, more metal would make the chunk sink faster, as pointed out above. And if you use swivels, where would you put them--on the hook or up further in the leader? I ties a small SPRO brand swivel between my main line and my leader, line won't twist as much if you cut a pocket to hide your hook and giv it a quick pull/jerk your chunk will fall off. If you think your chunk is too heavy, insert small piece of styroform or shipping peanut in the chunk to offset the weight.
3. Hooks: If weight of metal makes a difference, might it be better to use a regular Mutu rather than a Super Mutu, or does strength outweigh presentation?I would suggest using non offset circle hook for chunk fishing=less gut hooked fish, JMO. My favorite is mustad 39950bl
4. The chunks: What everyone posted above seems to fit what I have seen across the board. I saw one post (somewhere--but I think on this board) where the poster said he just cuts a slot in the chunk and slips the hook in, then, when reeling in, he just gives the chunk a jerk and pulls the hook out, thereby avoiding line twist on the retrieve. This sure seems to me that the meat could slip off too easily in a current. Opinions?The trick to this method is to pull out 10-20ft of lines and put your chunk bait in your palm and gently tost it over board, make sure the line go with the chunk. any tension will likely to pull the hook out. again this is just my personal opinion
Thanks,
Russ