Live lining bunker question - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

togzilla · #1 05-21-2019, 10:18 PM

Question: For live lining bunker when on a boat with other fisherman do you prefer braid tied to your three way swivel or use braid and then a top shot of mono and if so how long a top shot?

Brewlugger · #2 05-21-2019, 10:40 PM

If you are on a crowded party boat I would run about 50 to 100 ft Topshot. If you are on a private or headboat with less people I would tie direct to the swivel. It depends on how much weight you are using and if your bait is swimming all over the place. If you are freelining definitely use a topshot. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Do what makes sense to you for the conditions.

hookset · #3 05-21-2019, 10:46 PM

Are you snag and dropping or hooking line bunker over good readings? Top shot is always recommend regardless of what you are doing. Snag and drop requires less leader and if hooking lives I would say 25 to 50 foot is plenty for top shot. What kind of boat?how many ppl?

SaltLife1980 · #4 05-22-2019, 12:19 AM

Fish mono!!

Gerry Zagorski · #5 05-22-2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltLife1980

Fish mono!!

Yes... If you are new to live lining I would recommend using mono not braid as well... The line stretching qualities actually help you in this situation...If you are using braid and you get excited on the hook set you can easily pull it the hook unless your drag is set just right.

tombanjo · #6 05-22-2019, 01:31 PM

If on a party boat, get a rental rod, attach the bunker to a tailed 47, send it out a bit and lock the reel. It might be my frustrated imagination but they seem to have the highest success rate.

Billfish715 · #7 05-22-2019, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by togzilla

Question: For live lining bunker when on a boat with other fisherman do you prefer braid tied to your three way swivel or use braid and then a top shot of mono and if so how long a top shot?

Why would you use braid unless you already have it on your reel and don't want to change it out? There is nothing.......absolutely nothing.......wrong with using mono. You can always tie on a heavier leader without using a swivel with a simple mono-to-mono uniknot. Egg sinkers or fish finder rigs can always be easily attached if necessary.