Sinker weight and type for live lining - The Hull Truth

Ship of Fools · 10-16-2006, 09:18 PM

Planning to do some live line fishing in the near future. What type and size weight to most people use. Also when using a fish finder set up, how long of a leader do you use and do specific size hooks work better then others?

Thanks for any help, this fool will need some!

Cheers.

bigjimmie · 10-16-2006, 10:09 PM

you better get to it soon before you miss it.
#1 catch some spot and keep the water fresh it keeps them livley.
#2 rig your rod with a 2' 30lb leader and a 5/0 or a 6/0 hook
#3 hook the spot just under the begining of the dorsal and put a small 1/4 to 3/4oz weight at the leader swivel
#4 cast him out, let off some line then close the bail and wait
#5 when you get a strike open bail let it run for a few seconds(5 count or so) close bail,set and reel in. If your spot comes back with just a head and some body its a bluefish chomping your bait, if it comes back and the scales are stripped around the head and gill plates its a rock and you need to let them have the bait for longer.

Cooper · 10-16-2006, 10:50 PM

I like to use rubber core sinkers above the leader to keep the bait down. I start out with enough weight to cover the entire water column (generally up to a 2 ounces). If one gets bit more than the others, I'll switch them all to that. Current obviously factors in. The good thing about rubber cores is that it's easy to switch weights or slide them further up the line if the fish are shy.

Cooper · 10-17-2006, 01:40 AM

I forgot to say that I start out with about 5-6' 30lb mono leader connected to the main line with uni-to-uni knot. The last couple feet of the main line is doubled with a bimini twist. Trim the leader as it gets frayed. I use 5/0 up to 7/0 circle hooks, depending on the size of the baits. Fishing alone, I'll have between 2 and 4 rods out, depending on how fast the bites are coming.

Ship of Fools · 10-18-2006, 10:58 AM

Thanks for the info ..... I'll give a report from the bay bridge tunnel after the weekend..

Cheers!

Proline3250 · 10-18-2006, 01:12 PM

My choice of weight is dictated by water conditions if I can get down with .5 oz that thats all I use but there has been at least one time i needed 3oz just to hit bottom.