[FAQ]Livelining Bunker

[GregB]

Anybody care to share some techniques? Looking to start a thread to share some tips. I am too new at this to share.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi GregB,

I will have an article on this soon as it is almost time!

Get yourself a decent casting outfit. I use a spinning rod/reel.

I like to use a 10/0 weighted treble hook tied to a short piece (12") of 30 lb. leader. Throw the treble out into the school of bunker and "RIP" the treble through the school. You will snag one.

Otherwise, just net some bunker.

I like to snag them because after I get one, which is now wounded, I let it swim around. When a predator comes near, it twitches and tries to run off. After the striper/blue turns off with it, set the hook.

You can also reel in the snagged bunker and take it off and put it on a 10/0 or so hook. Do the same with the netted bunker. I cut some of the fins off. I hook the bait in different places but lately forward of the dorsal fin has works for me. Then let the bait do its thing.

A great reel for this type of fishing is a Shimano Baitrunner 3500. Awesome!

A lot of folks fish with porgies like this as well.

Sounds like a lot to think about but it is not.

Good luck,

Capt. Ed

[Hotrod]

^

[Ruger314]

There are many different ways to liveline. Some guys like to hook in the middle of the back, some like hook in the tail and others like to in the head. I like to hook in the bottom limp, up thru the top limps just in front of the nostrils. I like to use big hooks 10/0's either octopus or circles. I like this method for the reason Big bass will take a bait head first , my hook up are better this way.. but other have great luck with other methods,, Its all trial and error.

Good Luck
Joey G

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

One small point ...

Striped bass do not always hit head first ... they have the ability to turn the bait and swallow it head first from all my research I have done.

Small point ...

Capt. Ed

[IrishAyes]

Right on Capt Ed.
 Bass, having no formitable teeth to bite up the fish, as blues do, will swallow the bait whole head first so it goes down the hatch.  Can't get them fins passing thru swallowing tail first.  Then their stomach juiced break up the food for digestion. 
For that reason I will hook my bait thru the bottom lip and out near the nostrils, as Joey G said.

Joe

[Luna Sea 5]

I was just going through this topic, and just thinking about live lining bunkers for Spring Cow makes this cabin fever more painfull... ONLY 4 more months. 

[mboy]

Right on Capt Ed.
 Bass, having no formitable teeth to bite up the fish, as blues do, will swallow the bait whole head first so it goes down the hatch.  Can't get them fins passing thru swallowing tail first.  Then their stomach juiced break up the food for digestion. 
For that reason I will hook my bait thru the bottom lip and out near the nostrils, as Joey G said.

Joe

I prefer doing the same. I do not like to keep the bunker on the snag hook if I am snagging. I always switch to a 9/0 or 1/0 circle or octopus hook.  I also prefer to hook thru the nostrils or lower lip thru top.

The bass will hit the bait sideways (usually), make there initial run, then stop to turn it head first and swallow it. That is when you know it is time to se the hook, few seconds after they stop on the initial run.

My favorite type of fishing

CAN NOT WAIT For spring.

[ped579]

Me to, its gets mighty cold out on the beach.

Cccccc-uuuu-mmm-ooo-nnn Spring

[SouthPaw]

Not coming fast enough after a cold day like today bngh bngh bngh

[Luna Sea 5]

60 on Monday..

[ped579]

Look for me on the beach broudda...

[CapBob]

When live lining I have my standard 6/0 circle hook with a 3' leader. I zip tie the hook to a snap, the snap is hooked through the bunkers nostril area.....the hook is fully exposed and you will not miss a hook up...never had any problem as far as the hook being exposed.

I have to make a couple up and will post a pick

[ped579]

 

[mboy]

When live lining I have my standard 6/0 circle hook with a 3' leader. I zip tie the hook to a snap, the snap is hooked through the bunkers nostril area.....the hook is fully exposed and you will not miss a hook up...never had any problem as far as the hook being exposed.

I have to make a couple up and will post a pick

I would def be interested in seeing that.

Kind of like a bridle type setup.

[Luna Sea 5]

hmmm interesting

[Wreckfish]

If anyone’s seen the Al Lorenzetti "Fishing For Trophy Striped Bass" DVD he uses a similar setup.  Circle Hook in the top of a duro-snap, might be wired it instead of zip locked, and snap through nostril of bunker. Hooks rides up and is in good position for hookups.
 

[mboy]

Seems like it allows you to use a smaller hook as I have had A LOT of trouble hooking up with anything smaller then 9/0 true circles imbedded in an adult 10+" Bunker.

Can go a bit smaller (7/0) with the Octopus, but true circles need to be bigger.

[Skolmann]

I started using really big heavy gauge catfish hooks. Something like 12/0 and the work awesome.

More of a Kahle or English style hook.

Started using them after a charter captain turned me on to them.

I picked up a dozen or so at Cabelas last winter. They might even be available on their website.

FYI, they also make an outstanding chunking hook when using bunker heads or extra large chunks. 

[Luna Sea 5]

Here springgy springgy...  where are you spring..