Rigging Ballyhoo

[ezgoewin]

I have reef fished for years but now I want to be an offshore newbie. Does anyone have a link or info for the best method to rig ballyhoo for trolling. Specifically I think I will try them behind Ilanders. Any other rigging advice would be appreciated as well. Targets are yellowfin and dolphin. thanks
Ron

[captmike74]

www.baitmasters.com

[barrell]

All the mags like sport fishing and salt water sportsman constantly (both in this months isues) run articles with diagrams and pics.

[eddy2419]

You may have to use circle hooks with meat bait due to federal regs. Search for hoo, ballyhoo and bally hoo on this sight.

[JAGSARE1]

Circle hooks only required in billfish tournaments. Outside of that, do as you like.

captmike74 - 1/17/2007 3:02 PM

www.baitmasters.com

^^^Thats a pretty good website

[rkmorgan]

That is good website, thanks.

[Finnseeker]

ezgoewin - 1/17/2007 11:52 AM

I have reef fished for years but now I want to be an offshore newbie. Does anyone have a link or info for the best method to rig ballyhoo for trolling. Specifically I think I will try them behind Ilanders. Any other rigging advice would be appreciated as well. Targets are yellowfin and dolphin. thanks
Ron

Here is another method and very successful - watch the video http://wahoonbox.com/videos/circle.wmv

Materials:
1. 8/0 Circle Hook - Eagle Claw
2. 130lb. Barrel Swivel
3. 20lb Monel – 15in.
4. 1/2oz Egg Sinker
5. Ice Pick

Instructions:
1. Remove the eyes from the ballyhoo.
2. Trim the bill.
3. Take your 15in of monel and do a series of haywire twist around the barrel swivel.
4. Using the ice pick, put a hole on the top of the ballyhoo just in front of the eyes.
5. Thread your monel, with the barrel swivel on top, through the top of the head bringing the monel out between the 2 gill plates.
6. Pop the swivel into the head of the ballyhoo.
7. Install the 1/2oz egg sinker into the monel and dead center the sinker underneath the ballyhoo’s throat.
8. Take the monel and come around the gill plates. Pass the tag end of the monel through the eves 3 times. Secure and pull tight after each pass.
9. Take the tag end monel and insert it from the lower jaw through the top lip creating what would normally be your post.
10. Rap the mouth shut and clip of bill off.
11. Insert the circle hook into the eye of the swivel.
12. Go fishing!

[Nestor]

great video

[trapit]

captmike74 - 1/17/2007 3:02 PM

www.baitmasters.com

I was gonna put the same thing

[Blythe1022]

when rigging make sure the bait is being pulled from the nose pin and not the hook. This will keep it from spinning.

[ccat]

use the pin rig with a rubber band or a spring, simple easy and effective

[ezgoewin]

Chris and all,
Thanks for the responses, they were all very useful. Helpful bunch of guys on this site and I am glad I found it. The video explained the areas where I was not understanding the rig. I do still have one question. What will be the result if you do not include the 1/2 oz egg sinker in the rigging? thanks
Ron

[eddy2419]

It helps to keep the bait from spinning and keeps it in the water a little better, like on choppy days.

[ccat]

it will be more of a skipping bait than a swimming bait, not a bad thing. If you pull them short on flatlines no real need for the 1/2 ounce weight farther back in the spread it helps keep the bait in the water. I like to get them where they are swimming really good then come just come up every little bit on the surface then back down most of this can be controlled with your trolling speed and posistion of your bait. If a fish hits and doesnt get hooked up take it and jig it back and forth and alot of times they will come back and eat it.

[ncquackersmacker]

I am trying to visit the baitmaster website and it appears to be down. Anyone else seeing this.

[Capt. Len Roberts]

Hi I rig my Bally Ho with a small piece of plastic tubing over the nose with a J hook. It is simple and quick so you don't have to hurt the bait. Best to do it while in the bait tank holding the head so you don't take any scales off the body, They stay fresh and alive for a long time. I have had great results this way. Check out my web site to see my Off Shore Lures they work great and you don't need BAIT. WWW.captlenrobertstailsup.com

[Nestor]

check out

videos.sportfishermen.$$$/viewVideo.php?video_id=145

replace $$$ w/ com

[offshore3144]

We rig the following way if using a circle hook. Make sure you use the flat wide rigging floss, it will not cut into your Ballyhoo. Push the eyes out of the Ballyhoo before you start.I hope you can understand my drawings....Mark

Take about 2.5ft of rigging floss and double it, slide a weight (1/2oz or 3/4oz) over the loop and tie a loose overhand knot like the drawing below.

Now slip the loop over the Ballyhoos head and under the gills like photo. Then pull the two tag ends of the floss against the weight and tighten the knot snug against the ballyhoo being carefull not to tighten to much.

Now tuck the weight under the gills and take the two tag ends of the floss (one from each side of the Ballyhoo) and cross them over the top of the mouth of the ballyhoo. They shoud form a X in front of the eyes and over the lips. Then tie another loose over hand knot in the tag ends.



Now snug the overhand knot under the chin by pulling the 2 tag ends of the floss.

Now take the two tag ends (one from each side) and run each one through the eye socketts from oppisate sides and back down behind th weight. Tie a square knot and clip off the tag ends.

Now take your circle hook and where the X is formed on the top of your Ballyhoo run the hook through no need to twist or tie the hook in. Your done!! Catch em up!!

[Greg Manning]

That's good Mark......regular witch run on these circle hook rigs??