Small ballyhoo or “dink baits” fished with a circle hook through the nose are extremely effective at drawing strikes from white marlin off North Carolina’s coast. Here are some tips on fishing them:
• Fish a ballyhoo rigged on a circle hook in open water, either as the last bait in a long rigger or the center bait placed in a release clip.
• Set the release clips as loose as possible so the fish feels no pressure when he takes the bait.
• Once the bait is positioned and swimming correctly, twist the line and put the loops in the release clip.
• Leave the reel in free spool.
• When a fish hits, lift the rod and keep the rod tip pointed towards the fish; don’t touch the spool or drag.
• Keep the reel in free spool and keep your hands off the line and spool.
• Slowly count to six and then walk the drag forward slowly.
• With tension, point the rod tip in the opposite direction of fish and reel with the drag forward.
• Do not jerk or swing the rod.
• If the fish eats slowly or misses the bait, keep the reel in free spool to allow the bait to sink for a return bite.
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