fullysikwog 6 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Having a bit of trouble with live baits surviving, and theyve been hard to come by, so was wondering if bridle riging is worth trying?i know it works with kingies but would it effect the hook up rate with mulliescheers FSW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
__matt__ 0 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 I'm amazed at how long bridle rigged baits last. Definitely worth doing. Only new to bridle rigging baits myself and yet to bridle baits for mullies, but mates have gone real well rigging small circles on shitties. Main things to keep in mind from my limited knowledge is to use the right length rubber band (not hanging ages from the head, and not pinned that hard that the hook rolls) and to use circles so they find the corner of the mouth once the baits engulfed.If your after a needle definitely go the ones from sport fishing scene. Can't remember the brand name but they are the best I've seen, hold their shape and the eye of the needle is offset so its level with the needle shaft and slides through the bait without damaging it. Others I've seen aren't offset like this and rely a piece of rubber tubing to slide over the eye.Hope this helps. Cheers. fullysikwog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nikhum 16 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Hey FSW what livies are you using? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wogboi 0 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 heard squid are the best live bait if use them and put in the effort u should get a nice mully especially at ardrossanthe cold weather might not help fullysikwog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger 48 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Bridle rigging was designed for trolling, to prevent the bait rolling in the water.I cant see why it couldn't be applied to Mulloway or livebaiting when not trolling.You dont need a special needle to bridle rig. Just use a thin piece of tie wire about 8-10" long, bend it into a U shape, then start twisting it around itself so that you are left with a long twisted handle with a small loop at the top. This small loop will easily push through the orbital sinus.The hardest part I've found is actually handling the baitfish while bridle rigging them. Lay them onto a wet towel and also make sure your hands are wet when rigging them. fullysikwog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afishyfish 4 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Just wondering if it's worth using a stinger when doing this Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack. 10 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Any live baiting for Mulloway or Snapper when I'm stationary is done with hooks snelled and pointing left and right I'll have the first hook toward the tail and the other just forward of midway along the back. I do this so the line isn't in the way of the fish taking the bait head first. Even if a Mulloway hits it side on, I'm pretty sure they'll try turn the fish to go down head first. I would say the bridle might result in a lot of fish fumbling then dropping the bait without a hook up. Just my thoughts, but I find that a couple hooks in a st will not really effect it too much, they are a sturdy live bait, as are the slimeys for snapper. The worst thing you can do is cast em too much cos I find that reduces their lifespan quick smart.Good luck with it anyway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brenton 637 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 I've never bridled a livie but i reckon it would be good in the port when the tide starts to run to eliminate the bait spinning,at these times i just hook them through the gob but bridle rigging might even be better. cheers brenton fullysikwog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fullysikwog 6 Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 thanks for that fellas, was thinking it would work, il go into SFS and sus those riging needles out.ive only been able to get my hands on shittes and the odd ST for live bait.can anyone suggest a good brand of circle hooks? havent really used them much.Cheeers FSW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 can anyone suggest a good brand of circle hooks? havent really used them much.Cheeers FSWGamakatsu fullysikwog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afishyfish 4 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 can anyone suggest a good brand of circle hooks? havent really used them much.Cheeers FSWGamakatsu Just wish I could find some for whiting and carp :whistle: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimbojames 285 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Has any one got a photo of a bridle rig ? Not exactly sure what your talking about but am interested in this . If this is possible it would be greatly appreciated . Cheers . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger 48 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Here you go, the rubber band in passed through the eye sockect just in front on the eye itself and both ends looped over the hook. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 whoa, image came up as a negative for some reason, anyway, Ranger beat me to it and included a video as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger 48 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Ranger beat me to it and included a video as well.But do note in the image I posted, the line is shown behind the eye rather than in front as it should be. Cant expect too much from google images though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Just wish I could find some for whiting and carp :whistle:The octopus circle hooks are available down to #8 in the US, but for some reason here 1/0 is the smallest they sell. afishyfish 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimbojames 285 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 You fellas are legends . Thanks for the photos . Now i know i have never tried this . Cheers Ranger and Plankton! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack. 10 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 :S There's not much I strongly disagree with when it comes to fishing.... I guess some habits and techniques I'll defend to the death for some reason. I can't help but shake my head at the idea of bridle rigging for Mulloway.Bridle rigging is good for trolling, especially at speed as it allows the fish to still get enough oxygen because the hook is clear of the jaw. It's also used pretty extensively at anchor for sharks and kings, both fish that just smash stuff.For Mulloway, if you have the bridle set up your leader is just going to get in the way. They are a fish that prefer to take a bait head first. You should be pinning your hook behind it's head at least, like I said I use two hooks, but I do the same for snapper two, if you use one hook, further behind the shoulder depending on depth current and tide to have your bait facing up or down.... ...I thought this would be fishing 101... :S Those mully teeth are for holding food, not chomping, they will grab it and if the leaders in the way just spit it :S That is all. afishyfish 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smokeykebab 175 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Definitely agree with you there Jack. Only time I'll put a hook at the front of my bait for Mulloway is when fishing dead baits using a paternoster rig and even then I'll have another hook pinned through the shoulder. Bridle rigging will keep you're live bait alive longer definitely but will it result in more hookups I don't think so, not only Mullys anyways. I've found hooking live baits shallower (not putting the hook so deep in its back) lets the swim freely and live longer. I've had s.t and mullet for 4-5 hours doing this and they've swam off after alive and well. afishyfish 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Savagelip 4 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Missed a decent mully pinning a live salmon trout through the nose, sat below the boat rod doubled over for 5 minutes & for some unknown reason spat it! man was i pissed, reeled it in to see its eyes had popped out its head and its body broke and limp :whistle: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PRM 0 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I agree jack the problem is were there is no or very low tide movment the bait fish can be pinned behind the head and is happy to swim around,if using live bait in a high tidel flow movment area if you pinned the same way the bait fish cant swim right and would die due to drowning,so bridle rigging comes in to play like trolling boat is moveing forward bait is dragged forward,no different to being anchored and the tide is going at a high speed,I've always bridel rigged ST"s through the fishe's nose not the eye socket and the second hook just in top of skin down the back on top or underneath just as a safety hook.Have done well on bridle rigs around the T junction of port river and north arm,and have done well at the top of port river by pinning 1 hook through shoulder and one towards rear of the live bait always used a wet towel to keep stress and damage to a min.cheers Paul Jack. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rickster 0 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Missed a decent mully pinning a live salmon trout through the nose' date=' sat below the boat rod doubled over for 5 minutes & for some unknown reason spat it! man was i pissed, reeled it in to see its eyes had popped out its head and its body broke and limp :whistle:[/quote']Your eyes would pop out and your body would go limp to if something like that grabbed you and shook you around like a rag doll. :whistle: 4THALOVE 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Savagelip 4 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Missed a decent mully pinning a live salmon trout through the nose' date=' sat below the boat rod doubled over for 5 minutes & for some unknown reason spat it! man was i pissed' date=' reeled it in to see its eyes had popped out its head and its body broke and limp :whistle:[/quote'']Your eyes would pop out and your body would go limp to if something like that grabbed you and shook you around like a rag doll. :whistle:lol poor thing Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mully man 0 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Have used circle hooks for mulloway and have had an exceptional hookup rate by just pinning the fish through the lip with a single hook- no stinger necessary. I now fish for mulloway with my reels set in gear and find that the fish pretty much hook themselves (providing your rod holders are strong enough)this includes fish taken from surf beaches and from the boat in the port river. Remember a mulloway doesnt have hands to 'play' with a bait if it hits a bait, it's hit it with its mouth. I used to miss a lot of fish that 'dropped' the bait after allowing the fish to run for a while in freespool, since fishing the reels in gear my hookup rate has improved ten-fold. I also lip hook my baits as I believe the fish swallow them headfirst and the further down my hook goes the more chance I have of a positive hookup! A reason that fish sometimes fumble a large livebait is that small mulloway (anything under 10-12lb) will attack a big bait but have trouble getting it down whereas a larger fish will give a much more positive strike. Just my thoughts. urhookedfish, Resolute, afishyfish and 4 others 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrballs 12 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Have used circle hooks for mulloway and have had an exceptional hookup rate by just pinning the fish through the lip with a single hook- no stinger necessary. I now fish for mulloway with my reels set in gear and find that the fish pretty much hook themselves (providing your rod holders are strong enough)this includes fish taken from surf beaches and from the boat in the port river. Remember a mulloway doesnt have hands to 'play' with a bait if it hits a bait' date=' it's hit it with its mouth. I used to miss a lot of fish that 'dropped' the bait after allowing the fish to run for a while in freespool, since fishing the reels in gear my hookup rate has improved ten-fold. I also lip hook my baits as I believe the fish swallow them headfirst and the further down my hook goes the more chance I have of a positive hookup! A reason that fish sometimes fumble a large livebait is that small mulloway (anything under 10-12lb) will attack a big bait but have trouble getting it down whereas a larger fish will give a much more positive strike. Just my thoughts.[/quote']I agree Same methods used here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fullysikwog 6 Posted July 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 thanks mully man, will definatley give that a go FSW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rickster 0 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Have used circle hooks for mulloway and have had an exceptional hookup rate by just pinning the fish through the lip with a single hook- no stinger necessary. I now fish for mulloway with my reels set in gear and find that the fish pretty much hook themselves (providing your rod holders are strong enough)this includes fish taken from surf beaches and from the boat in the port river. Remember a mulloway doesnt have hands to 'play' with a bait if it hits a bait' date=' it's hit it with its mouth. I used to miss a lot of fish that 'dropped' the bait after allowing the fish to run for a while in freespool, since fishing the reels in gear my hookup rate has improved ten-fold. I also lip hook my baits as I believe the fish swallow them headfirst and the further down my hook goes the more chance I have of a positive hookup! A reason that fish sometimes fumble a large livebait is that small mulloway (anything under 10-12lb) will attack a big bait but have trouble getting it down whereas a larger fish will give a much more positive strike. Just my thoughts.[/quote']100% true with every word you have stated apart from that i do have my drag set quite hard though, worked all this out the hard way and have never looked back. :woohoo: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack. 10 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Well if some of you that go out and capture more Mulloway than I have, and at a better size, are simply lip hooking your bait, then I can't ignore it. I have always stuck two hooks in a live slimey/Tommie or dead pilchard for Snapper with great success and still maintain my confidence fishing for Mulloway with the leader clear of it's head.It's been interesting to hear that what I thought was one of the most fundamental aspects of my live baiting, is actually not so important I have to apologize to FSW for coming in so hard on his thread. Sorry bud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nikhum 16 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 I've also naturally learned to fish mulloway with my reels set in gear.. No longer will I let them run and have a chance to spit out the bait. Top thread! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snake 1 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 no need to apoligise jack, we all have our own views and methods which work for us and swear by them even if others disagree or not. As long as the method used, whether it be bridle, behind the head, with or without a stinger or any other method used longevity in live bait survival depends on many different and varied situations. The way baits are handled prior to use, species used whether it be a hardy type fish such as large ST's, large mullet etc. or more fickle fish like gar, smaller juvenile fish(within size limits of course) squid and so on are a factor as well as Careful placement of hooks when pinning livies, water quality and oxygen levels in live bait tanks,not over crowding aswell as gentle handling, swift transfers to bait tanks when caught all factor in live bait survival. Having a live bait lobbed out into the surf with a heavy sinker and short length of trace restricts the baits ability to swim properly in turbulent water exhausting itself trying to swim upright and avoid being battered to death or savaged by crabs etc. just by using a longer trace than what you may use to fish the port river is all thats needed for longevity in the surf. Bridle rigged, pinned behind the head or through the nose makes no difference to longevity or hookup rates. Adapting to the enviroment fished is whats important....cheers snake Rickster and afishyfish 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mully man 0 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Just remember guys to make sure your rod is secured in a good holder whilst fishing in gear (can be hard in land based possies like westlakes,onka etc.)- otherwise it could become a costly experiment. Jack i hope that your quest to nail the big one goes well every little bit of informastion helped me in the early years and you soon come to realise that you never stop learning. Rickster 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Great info here guys, I'm still trying for my first mulloway and was planning on bridle rigging some livies from the kayak, so this thread has been heaps helpful. I have also been under the impression that it's best to let mullies run with a bait before setting the hook and that is the method I've used in the surf so far, had a few runs but never hooked up, I will have to try it with the reel in gear with enough drag pressure to set the hook properly. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Saltiga5 3 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 What rod is that Neil is using with his Saltiga 4500?The reason bridle rigging works well in the port with a running tide is because the fish doesn't drown and gets to face the current.When fishing with livies in a boat best to fish it a metre or 2 off the bottom also with a running sinker going to a swivel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger 48 Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 What rod is that Neil is using with his Saltiga 4500?A bit difficult to tell from the clip, but I'd suggest it's also a Saltiga, maybe the 6'8" Coastal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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