sabiki questions

[Dirty Curti]

See, sometimes the most obvious thing eludes me. No shit, just cut it down to 3 or 4 hooks for better handling. Why didn't I think of that???

[PE.rider]

They all generally work well. I prefer Lucky Luras since they are cheaper and have less hooks.

The higher-priced Japanese-made rigs from Hayabashi and others are fine for when fish are finicky and you need some extra edge like having fluorocarbon line or a greater assortment of shrimp/holographic patterns.

The worst ones in my opinion are the larger rubber jigs that are supposed to look like squid.

Also, it doesn't hurt to have an s-shaped hook tool to hold the line taught while removing baitfish.

For storage, I have cut sections of pool-noodle segments that I re-wrap sabiki rigs with so that I can re-use them for no more than 4 or 5 outings. The trick is to make sure you rinse everything after use with freshwater.

Lastly, stay away from the Basspro shops off-shore angler brand.... the hooks are of such inferior quality that they break often.

[Ggiannig89]

A lot of help here. Thanks cant wait to make bait now haha

[jorluivil]

One of the things that I do to ALL of my Sabiki hooks is bend the barb back against the hook, it makes removal of the bait much and I mean much easier. I usually flop the Sabiki with the bait attached right over the kayak and the bait will usually jiggle right off. Doing this also gives me a chance to drop the Sabiki back into the water without skipping a beat. I will usually leave the bait in the well until the bite slows down, at that point I grab them and throw them in the bait tank. Bending the hooks back also helps whenever they get hooked on something, they will slide right out.

[Dannowar]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

One of the things that I do to ALL of my Sabiki hooks is bend the barb back against the hook, it makes removal of the bait much and I mean much easier. I usually flop the Sabiki with the bait attached right over the kayak and the bait will usually jiggle right off. Doing this also gives me a chance to drop the Sabiki back into the water without skipping a beat. I will usually leave the bait in the well until the bite slows down, at that point I grab them and throw them in the bait tank. Bending the hooks back also helps whenever they get hooks on something, they will slide right out.

This exactly. You'll lose a few here and there but the annoyance factor is depleted completely

[GregAndrew]

I leave all the hooks on my sabiki. For fast moving bait schools, I want to get as many as I can when I find them. I also use a tool like this to quickly remove them.


Hold the tool upside down from how it appears, then pull your line down through the slot until the bait/hook catches the loop then a quick pop with both hands releases the bait. Essentially it holds your hook upside down.

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

I leave all the hooks on my sabiki. For fast moving bait schools, I want to get as many as I can when I find them. I also use a tool like this to quickly remove them.


Hold the tool upside down from how it appears, then pull your line down through the slot until the bait/hook catches the loop then a quick pop with both hands releases the bait. Essentially it holds your hook upside down.

I swear I thought that was a tampon before I read that post.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

I leave all the hooks on my sabiki. For fast moving bait schools, I want to get as many as I can when I find them. I also use a tool like this to quickly remove them.


Hold the tool upside down from how it appears, then pull your line down through the slot until the bait/hook catches the loop then a quick pop with both hands releases the bait. Essentially it holds your hook upside down.

Exactly, you want to get the maximum amount of bait when you can, especially when the bait is scarce. Hopefully you can deal with 5 or 6 sardines or macs at the same time otherwise you might be in trouble.... When unhooking I'll unhook from bottom to top.