This rig can be used when trolling
strip baits or when using fillet baits for shark or other
toothy fish. If formed correctly, the bait will lie straight
and won’t spin, and the hook point will be placed well
back in the strip for an improved hook up.
Take a hook of a size suited
to the bait. Note that the best hooks for this rig are
of the welded eye or needle eye type. If any other type
of hook is used special care must be taken to ensure
that there is no gap in the eye through which the wire
can pull out. Squeeze the eye closed with pliers if
there is any gap at all.
Pass the wire through the hook eye and form the Haywire
twist as before. However, do not do not break off the
tag end after making the Barrel wraps.
Wrap
the wire so that the tag end stands up away from the
main wire, pointing in the same direction as the hook
bend.
Bend the tag end at 90 degrees away from the hook and
then bend a small U shape in the wire end to hook around
the main wire. This last bend is made easier if you
use needle nose pliers.
To attach a bait, open the ‘safety pin’
and push the wire through the end of the fillet. Close
the ‘safety pin’ to secure the bait and
make a small cut with a sharp knife through which to
push the hook point.
Be sure that the hook point moves freely in this cut
or the bait will spin in the water. Enlarge the cut
as necessary. All the pull should be on the ‘safety
pin’ and none on the hook point.
I generally like to add an octopus skirt or a small
lure head such as an Ilander to help protect the bait
whilst trolling and to make it easier to spot the baits
from the cockpit, you may need to thread a rigging bead
down the wire to do this.