Striper Question

[Luna Sea 5]

I may try live lining bunker on Sunday.  I have a set up that has a slide weight attached to a swivel, 2' leader of 50 lbs test and my good old gammy hook.  Now, many people say you want to fish the bunker very close to the bottom, some say you don't want to use a weight and let it swim natural since most bunker swim on top of the water.  ANY THOUGHTS?  Should I shorten the leader to keep it closer to the bottom, or increase it. If I was using just bunker heads, do I use it the same way.  (I will be drifting)

[IrishAyes]

Luna, I am not an expert or a very experienced bunker guy, but from what I have been taught, keep the bunker near the bottom, expecially if you are using heads.  Reasoning:  the blues, if they are around, will be on top decimating the bunker. They will usually not eat the heads.  The heads fall to the bottom where the big bass are waiting.
Good luck.

Joe

[Luna Sea 5]

any way to prevent the bunker head from spinning if i was drifting. Or should I anchor when I chunk heads.

[salty pig]

Im no expert By ANY means but every time I went out this year (1st year for stripers) I anchored and used the heads or even just a chunk....I put my slide sinker above swivel so  I could let as much line out as i wanted with the bait. I have caught 30% on a live bunker hooked trough lips with same setup. the one in the pic  was with a live one anchored.

[mad8713]

When livelining I use the same rig as chunking, except use about three ft. leader or more.  I hook the bunker through the lips with an 8/0 gami octupus circle.  If there are fish on top you might want to liveline one with just a hook.  When I do this I hook the bunker in the back in front of the doesal fin.  I will flip him into the school and keep him on the surface.  This is a very exciting way to catch bass.  When a bass is around the bunker begins to shake and so will you.  nothing better then see a big bass chase down a bunker on top.  Alot of people are snag and drop fishing,  I avoid this because do not like catching bass on treble. 
Good luck

[Luna Sea 5]

i got excited just reading that.. lol

[salty pig]

I always hit the blues  livelining like he said. But man what a scene to watch that poor  lil bunker try to run and than the fight is ON ! going to make me go past hook  for some now 

[Ruger314]

Nick,,

Heres my take on rigging... Bass will be below the blues if they are both and bunker pods.. I have found thru the season that the outer edges of the bunker and a 100yrds back of the bunker pods bass are there trailer the piece from the blues..

So I fish four rods for the difting and anchor set ups. 2 rods have fish Finders rigs with 3 ft leadres of 50-80lb leader. the other 2 are set with 3 way  swivels  and 3ft leader again.. all 10/0 gamma octopus  thru the bottom lip up thru nose..

Now if you chunk heads I fish them 2 ways..

Hooked the same as liveys or hook the were you made the cut in the bellie skin.. Bellie works great if the hit, run drop quickly.. you can hook up quick!...

Good Luck and I hope it helps?

Joe G