Cob on live bait

[Tigerking]

Went to gamtoos the week -end. Tried some rappies and coral worm,and later mullet. Caught one small cob +/- 60cm but released him. Had two pick ups on live bait but lost both even after I let them run three times with the free spool. The mullets were kinda small ( sprats) +/- 10 cm. I had a single hook on the bottom near the stinker. I have had sucess with this technigue before but need to increase the strike rate. Need some good tips from the manne who fish with livies alot ?

 

[mikesfb]

Well done on the cob and good luck landiing those bigger ones next time.

 

[patrys]

try fishing with trebbles. might help.

 

[muhammad]

circle hooks is the way to go

 

[roland]

Why not try a 2hook trace? Or circles ? But seeing that you are keen to release the smaller ones, please dont use trebles. Ps, what size hook where you using?

 

[Ou Kabeljou]

Circle hook in front of the dorsal fin. do not strike......just drop the rod horizontal to the water, and tighten up in opposite direction to where fish is going.....fool proof....and you do not loose them....Remember flurocarbon leader of at least 1M!

 

[Tigerking]

Thanks Ou Kabeljou,

Great advice ! I tried a couple of circle hooks combinations. The one you suggested works well. Got 2 x cob 11kg and 6,8Kg. Had two big pick-ups with 4/0 circle hooks through the top lip but got smashed up through some submerged branches/rocks. The big buggers don't get big for nothing,they know they surrounidings very well.