When putting together a ballyhoo rig, is it better to use say 5’ of leader or 12’? And what is the reason for the shorter or longer? The prepackaged ones have long on them, but this makes it a little difficult when bringing the fish on the boat…?
Key West 211cc
S,
Everyone rigs their stuff a little bit different. You ask 10 different people and they’ll give you 10 different answers. If you are just getting started and targeting meat fish about 6’ is usually ideal. At this length you can have you angler reel the swivel to the rod tip and take a step or 2 back and have the fish within gaff range(no or little wiring needed). Unless you get a billfish you really won’t have to worry about chaffing the line at 6’(and if so your double line should help). You can make the leader longer/shorted based on your needs, boat size, and the crew/anglers experience.
George Carlin said it best, ‘Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are stupider than that’’.
Thanks schoolboy. That helps a lot. I was buying the prepackaged ballyhoo rigs, but at 8 or 9 bucks a pop and a 12-15ft leader, they make it a little redonkulous to use. I am going to just make my own from now on.
Key West 211cc
Use 6 ft of wire with no double main line here, I find it easier to get the fish in the boat with the shorter leader and no bimini twist to catch on guides, espicially if short handed or fishing with green crew. Pretty easy to make up. Tourny fishing would be different ball game tho.
Russ B.
Psalm 55:22
T2B, you use wire instead of leader for ballyhoo? I have considered this but everyone else I asked said they didn’t so I was scared to try it. So you feel it works just as good?
Key West 211cc
Yes, I use wire leader vs mono or floro. I’m sure it does scare some fish away, more likely tuna, with thier good eyesight, but we get so few of em round here that personally I dont feel the the advantage of mono or floro leader is worth it. Pros and cons with both, they might not bite it if they can see it, but then again they wont bite it if it isnt there anymore due to getting cut off.
Russ B.
Psalm 55:22