Stingers for live mullet?

[yellow door 1]

I'm relatively new to fishing live mullet as a bait and I want to add a stinger to my rig.

I was tying up some mock-ups just to get my head around how they would sit in the bait.

And I'd be interested to hear from anyone with experience using singles or trebles as a Stinger.

[JIM1]

i use a standard livebait hook from the leader and then have another hook on single strand with a small loop at one end(length depends on bait) nic it in the tail with the hook, slide the single strand hoop end first up the fish, it will follow th backbone in the meat of the fish and poke out at the nose, then put your livebait hook threw the loop on the stinger trace and pin threw the nose, everything is then hidden and streamline. you just need to make sure your loop on the stinger setup is tied smooth so it doesnt rip the fish as you slide it in. there is a vid on youtube if you get bedazzled by this

[JIM1]

ps usually use a circle off the leader and a small (2-4/0 mustard hoodlum usually) for the stinger

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by JIM1

i use a standard livebait hook from the leader and then have another hook on single strand with a small loop at one end(length depends on bait) nic it in the tail with the hook, slide the single strand hoop end first up the fish, it will follow th backbone in the meat of the fish and poke out at the nose, then put your livebait hook threw the loop on the stinger trace and pin threw the nose, everything is then hidden and streamline. you just need to make sure your loop on the stinger setup is tied smooth so it doesnt rip the fish as you slide it in. there is a vid on youtube if you get bedazzled by this

Originally Posted by JIM1

ps usually use a circle off the leader and a small (2-4/0 mustard hoodlum usually) for the stinger

Jim that is some "next level" livie rigging - you have already cut out some of the issues with tangles I thought I might have.

I see the genius in your method but I'm worried about the mobility of my mullet.

Here is a pic of the size I use - I know they're are as tough as old boots with a single hook through their back. But I'll swap them for a fresh one after an hour if they have stopped carrying on.

I really like what your suggesting - how long can they last with a piece of single strand run down their backs.

[JIM1]

a 30cm bait, all day with 60lb wire. the little ones dont like it as much, i wouldnt do it for anything smaller than say "herring" sized, the size your using id pin threw the nose or behind the head if you want to lob one out. slipping a snug lumo bead on your hook before you pin the bait works well to stop the hook pivoting back around on the bait to, baits that size will usually get engulfed and not bitten as such. all fish exept things like mackies eat fish head first, so the further forward the hook the better.

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by JIM1

a 30cm bait, all day with 60lb wire. the little ones dont like it as much, i wouldnt do it for anything smaller than say "herring" sized, the size your using id pin threw the nose or behind the head if you want to lob one out. slipping a snug lumo bead on your hook before you pin the bait works well to stop the hook pivoting back around on the bait to, baits that size will usually get engulfed and not bitten as such. all fish exept things like mackies eat fish head first, so the further forward the hook the better.

Yeah - I hear you - but I'm a small fish specialist

The points you've made are well received and can be applied to the slow moving little tail bighters I'm targeting - I apologize for not including all relevant info in the first post. But I'm glad I didnt

The point you make about the lumo bead stopping the hook burying itself back in the bait - is one of the reasons I ask these sort of questions on Breammaster - Its these sorts of tips that can be the difference between a solid hook up and just ripping the bait out of their mouth on the strike........and then searching through the bushes for the "rod bells" that catapulted off when the bait slid out

[yellow door 1]

I should also mention that my target species is River Mulloway.

I've got mates in Kalbarri who think Victorians are weirdos for chasing them.........."Our river is full of them but they stink and taste like crap"

But back in freezing Melbourne - "Jewies" are a sought after species

[JIM1]

they tend to start at 15kg in perth, a tailor as live bait works well in ther river here:P.

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by JIM1

they tend to start at 15kg in perth, a tailor as live bait works well in ther river here:P.

Sometimes I think I should try to focus on the big boys - but I'm still too green.

The small things I learn along the way have always been important in other fish.

So once I learn all the small things - I"ll be ready for the big things

[JIM1]

spot on, cant tell how big your hooks are in your pics but i found i was using hooks that where way to big for the bait in the start and nowdays i rarly go over a a 6/0 for 30cm size baits and found that even thou they are small (ish) you will still get good hook ups. for a mulla up to a few kg with a live bait id be going for a 2-3/0, hope this helps!

[BigTed]

tie your self a snell rig pin the mullet with the top hook and let the second hook just dangle under the mullet pretty much garanted hook up everytime

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by JIM1

spot on, cant tell how big your hooks are in your pics but i found i was using hooks that where way to big for the bait in the start and nowdays i rarly go over a a 6/0 for 30cm size baits and found that even thou they are small (ish) you will still get good hook ups. for a mulla up to a few kg with a live bait id be going for a 2-3/0, hope this helps!

Yeah the ones in the pic are 6/0 and were purchased in a rush coz they were the smallest I could find - I was just looking for something in the Mustad range that I could lean back on with 30lb mono. And the 2x 6/0 were the closest to what I wanted - but far from ideal

I was happy with the size of the 3/0 but the wire was too thin for locked up white knuckle action

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by BigTed

tie your self a snell rig pin the mullet with the top hook and let the second hook just dangle under the mullet pretty much garanted hook up everytime

Sounds good Ted

- If they hit it hard - all good - and if they sneak up and inhale - its still all good

[silvertreva]

learn something new everyday

[Piscateur]

Originally Posted by yellow door 1

Sounds good Ted

- If they hit it hard - all good - and if they sneak up and inhale - its still all good

Larry
i use this method as well for those reasons. Im no expert but it just made sence to me.