trolling macs
 

do you nose-hook or butt-hook your macs when trolling? talk to me

Nose hook...

Nose hook. I typically use a 2/0 ringed live bait hook, but will adjust based on the size of bait.

nose hook with a 1/0 or 2/0 circle hook

Gotta nose hook em for trolling. If you butt hook you drag em backwards and kill them. You can also hook the mack under the the dorsal fin which makes them troll deeper. I switched from hooking my baits across the nose to going up thru the top jaw and out the top. This caused less foul hooking where the hook turns backward in to the baits' head. This season I have been rigging my baits with a bait needle like many east coast anglers do. I haven't been able to conduct a side by side comparison to see if the rigged get bit better. The baits definitely stay lively longer rigged than hooked. And I have yet to have a hook turn back in to the bait. Rigging also allows for the use of bigger hooks. For 8-10" macks I use 5/0 circle hooks. Mike

+1

I like collar hooking baits. Butt hooking I will do sometimes if I'm stopped and see deep fish. Just be prepared to only soak that bait once. As bringing it up from the bottom will either rip the flesh, or drown it. I also have switched from side nose hooking to up through top jaw and out. Too many hook spins. Usually don't fish bigger than 4/0 with 30lb flouro. Seguar premier is good stuff.

Thanks for the tip
 

Hey Mike,

I've seen guys rig bait like this before, but haven't done it myself. Makes sense to me and should keep the bait alive longer.

Is this link similar to the method you are talking about? Bridle A Bait

thanks for the info guys. i usually nose-hook them, but the other day i wanted the mac to go deeper so i butt-hooked it because i was too lazy to tie a weight on. i trolled around slowly for a few and then a damn dog took it.

2/0 -5/0 J hooks thru the nose

1/0 sideways thru the nose, 30lb floro, you can drag the same bait around all day until one you loose it. Fish, seals, snag, or stupid birds.

That's exactly how I'm rigging my baits. I use a loop of 30 lb braid instead of floss tho. Mike

Thanks for confirming Mike.
I'm going to mess around with this rigging next time out.

I usually nose hook, I've used 2/0 and 3/0 sometimes even 4/0...but I suck and have yet to land a YT :you_rock: lol...that's why its called fishing not catching! Good luck!