Live Lining Bunker..

[SaltLife1980]

Just wanted to know where everyone hooks their bunker for live lining.. Through the nose, Under the top fin, or in the belly.. I have had luck using these methods.. But just wanted to know if there is a different spot people use to hook them..

I have noticed when hooking them through the belly area they seem to swim right to the bottom and stay very active as well..

I do like using the nose as well.. And under the top fin works fine but if you go to far down from the fin they seem to die real quick..

Any info would be great on other spots to place the hook..

Thanks

[JOHN D]

behind the dosal fin. Or wherever i snagged it

[SaltLife1980]

Originally Posted by JOHN D

behind the dosal fin. Or wherever i snagged it

Yea where ever we snag it we usually dont change the placement but I will be cast netting them as we leave the dock as usually.. Throw them into the live well and head out.

[Ismellfishy]

I bridle mine no matter where I want the hook . hook never rehooks the bait, bait stays lively, holds great, and will rip through the bunker. I vow to never miss one from a turned hook.

[SaltLife1980]

Originally Posted by Ismellfishy

I bridle mine no matter where I want the hook . hook never rehooks the bait, bait stays lively, holds great, and will rip through the bunker. I vow to never miss one from a turned hook.

Very good point!!

[beerbelly]

under neath, they swim down where the fish r

[SaltLife1980]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

under neath, they swim down where the fish r

That is one of the way the really enjoy using just for that reason alone.. swims right down close to the bottom..

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Ismellfishy

I bridle mine no matter where I want the hook . hook never rehooks the bait, bait stays lively, holds great, and will rip through the bunker. I vow to never miss one from a turned hook.

I usally hook mine right ahead of the top dorsal fin or through the nose. The dorsal hook does rehook itself alot. The nose hook although less prone to re hooking, does not stay in the bunker as well.

Interested in learning more about how you bridle the bunker smellfishy??

[Ismellfishy]

Its actually very simple. I just use some old power pro and tie about a 5" loop using an overhand not with the double line and burn the tag end down to the knot. the braid flairs when burned and the knot wont slip. simply loop the power pro on the base of the hook and wrap a few half hitches, passing the eye of the hook, I use 10/0 gami octopus or circle hook, through the loop of the half hitch and the bridle is set. take a rigging needle and thread the bridle loop through wherever you would like to hook the bunker, I usually go top of back behind dorsal or through nostrils. run the hook point through the loop that was pulled through the fish. I then twist the hook and the bridle until you can just barely pass the hook back through the loop created where the bridle passes through the fish and you're all set. ideally the hook should sit fairly close to the fish.

After watching so many offshore shows where this is used for tuna and marlin, and I had missed a few fish because of a turned hook, I looked for a new technique. So far has worked 100%. when that 50+ eats my bunker, I want to KNOW my hook will hit its mark.

[SaltLife1980]

I like the sounds of that.. I am going to give it a try