Page 43 - Galveston Waves - January 2019

baitfish first. D84Z and D81Z hooks with Stop According to an email I received, the
The arrow Gap Baitholder TM barb, each in National Marine Fisheries Services’
indicating the sizes 4/0 to 7/0 as shown in the Steve Atran states they are legal,
direction of pull illustration, work well for me and providing they are a minimum of 10
and the number are my personal favorites. These thin inches in length. They must also be
1 is where you tighten the overhand knot. wire, super strong, sharp penetrators used whole, and any used as bait must
This tightening is done after a little slack also hold like there’s no tomorrow. be deducted from that person’s allow-
is allowed in the mono from the hook to Remember that circle hooks need to able daily limit 0f 20.
the tightened knot. The last step is to pull be in the baitfish with their point and
the mono in the direction of the arrow at part of the bend exposed, with the This rigging, “Baitfish-Going Head
the number 2. This tightens the loop gap to the shank unobstructed, the First”, works for many of our Texas
around the base of the baitfish’s tail, Stop Gap Baitholder TM barb helps offshore non-toothy species such as
completing the process. Using these maintain that positioning. “J” type amberjack, grouper, ling, red snap-
steps, you will have a baitfish that hooks aren’t as critical with gap ob- per, dolphin, etc. The mono leader
won’t be curled or curved, helping to struction. Mustad Ultra-point 10829 and its placement along the length of
keep it from spinning excessively and BLN or 10827 BLN in sizes 7/0 the baitfish’s body virtually eliminate
looking unnatural as it sinks in the -11/0, depending on the bait size and its use for species such as wahoo,
current. tackle being used, are some of the kingfish or shark, with their dentures
other great hookers and holders I use. a cutoff is almost assured. A more se-
The hook can also be placed in the cure hold of soft baitfish plus an ef-
mid-body area of your baitfish. Make When fishing this head first rigging, fective hook placement that increases
sure that the point and bend are as your line plays out, have your rod your hookup success are some of its
exposed as in the illustration. This at about the 10 o’clock position. At important features.
hook placement has the predator fish the pickup of your bait, drop your
feeling the hook later in the swallow- rod tip and point it at the line’s entry Pay attention to the details, then, with
ing process, possibly making it too point into the water. When the line a little practice you will be surprised
late for it to spit your baitfish without comes tight, raise your rod tip to at how easy it is to hook, loop and
being hooked. The hook at the head around the 11 o’clock position and tie the “Baitfish-Doing Head First”,
gets the gulpers, swallowers and short your circle hook should be set. When and don’t be surprised by how well it
strikers. using a “r’ type hook, that rod raising works for you.
needs to be part of a strong hook
The hook at the mid-body provides a setting motion.
good shot at hooking up with those Patrick
wary ones that may try to spit the The legal use of a vermilion snapper
bait. for bait, as is shown in the illustra- Lemire
The Daiichi Circle Chunk Light tion, is questioned by some people.

Waves Magazine | January 2019 Issue | 43