The authors favourite straylined snapper bait. Application: Any situation where the alternative would be a straylined pilchard.
Equipment
- 1 x fresh or frozen skipjack tuna
- 2 x hooks – sized to match the width of the pilchard (6/0 usually a good choice)
- 4 to 6 foot trace – author’s preference is 60-lb supple trace. Lighter fluorocarbon trace is an option
- Sinkers - sized to match the fishing circumstances
- A sharp knife
- Scissors or clippers to trim trace
Instructions
1. Fillet the skipjack tuna as demonstrated in the pictures hereabouts.
2.With an angled cut, slice off a long piece of bait, ensuring it tapers to a point at one end.
3.Prepare a two-hook strayline rig with fixed hook placement in the usual manner.
4. Pass the end hook once through the tapered end of the bait, starting from the skin side of the strip.
5. Repeat the process with the second hook, this time up near the wider end of the strip bait.
6. Secure the second hook firmly in place with a couple of half hitches, which synch down into the flesh as pictured.
7. Add the correct weight for the application and you are ready to fish.
Note
If fresh skipjack is available, this is my favourite straylined snapper bait. It is highly resistant to the peckers and irresistible to hungry moochers.
