How to avoid tangles

[manamarak]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and still learning the ins and outs of offshore fishing.

I would like to know, when fishing with live & dead bait what sequence do you suggest to avoid tangles E.G. do you rig one rod on the downrigger and one on a balloon? How far back do you put the lines? How many dead baits do you put out with the livies? This will mainly be while drifting or slow rolling for Cuta, Dorado, Tuna etc.

[REEFMAN]

 
Have you checked out the Sticky tuts (in Pink) in the Offshore forum? http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?board=43.0

[dugong]

As Reefz said and here http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?board=78.0
Less is often more!! When trolling I only deploy 3 baits(only two if I am alone), all at different depths. Use teardrop sinkers and a rubber band to downrig - one with a 3oz-5oz.(middle) one with a 5oz-8oz.(deep) and one on the surface. Attach the sinker about 10 - 15 meters from the bait and pull tight, just be aware when moving onto shallower reefs or you can get snagged, also remember that if you cut your motors to drift the baits will sink - it takes a bit of trial and error but you will improve your strike rates as you are covering the water column. Also vary the weights depending on the conditions/current/wind.

[manamarak]

Hi Reefman & dugongboy

Thank you for the reply, much appreciated.

I see the sticky notes are mostly for lure angling, does this apply to live bait fishing as well?

When cuta's are around do you sometimes put one rod out without a steel trace to entice different species? Just wondering if some fish might be spooked by the wire or will most fish take the livie even though you have a steel trace on? I know this might be a big gamble.