planter Posted June 28, 2020 Report Share Posted June 28, 2020 Does anyone have a technique for trolling mackerel WITHOUT needing a backbone remover, rigging needle and floss? I have tried breaking the Mack's back in a few places so it's more flexible and i have tried putting a small weight in the gullet of my bait and wrapping it in Magic or Whisper thread. No matter what i try the Mack just does not run true. They seem to do a slow twist while being dragged thru the water. I have used Macks rigged by others to catch a couple of small Marlin and big Spanish but the crew gutted and brined the bait prior to getting on the boat and had a cooler of rigs set up and ready to go. I did try Anybody have any non-proprietary hints they can share. I tried to pick up a backbone remover, rigging needle, and fishing floss but I'm ready to go on-line and buy them but rigging still seems like it would take longer than I'm willing to spend doing it. I will gut a few and snip the Bbone in a few places put in a gremlin rubber cored and tie it up. I'm also finding brined Macks are not as firm as i had expected. I've actually got a dozen Macks stewing in a really strong brine of rock salt and baking soda which keeps the baits color intact but we will see how that works. Anybody?? Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakoMike Posted June 28, 2020 Report Share Posted June 28, 2020 4 hours ago, planter said: Does anyone have a technique for trolling mackerel WITHOUT needing a backbone remover, rigging needle and floss? I have tried breaking the Mack's back in a few places so it's more flexible and i have tried putting a small weight in the gullet of my bait and wrapping it in Magic or Whisper thread. No matter what i try the Mack just does not run true. They seem to do a slow twist while being dragged thru the water. I have used Macks rigged by others to catch a couple of small Marlin and big Spanish but the crew gutted and brined the bait prior to getting on the boat and had a cooler of rigs set up and ready to go. I did try Anybody have any non-proprietary hints they can share. I tried to pick up a backbone remover, rigging needle, and fishing floss but I'm ready to go on-line and buy them but rigging still seems like it would take longer than I'm willing to spend doing it. I will gut a few and snip the Bbone in a few places put in a gremlin rubber cored and tie it up. I'm also finding brined Macks are not as firm as i had expected. I've actually got a dozen Macks stewing in a really strong brine of rock salt and baking soda which keeps the baits color intact but we will see how that works. Anybody?? Any suggestions? Look on you tube for videos of rigging a split tail Mack. ====Mako Mike====Makomania SportfishingPt. Judith, RI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angler #1 Posted June 28, 2020 Report Share Posted June 28, 2020 We use frozen mackerel attached from the bottom of the jaw to the top and troll 3 plus knots with no twist. If they are alive we put a hook through the jaw and a stinger with a small 3 way hook above the vent. We have trolled them with lead and wire when we want to get down near the bottom and a flat line when we want to keep them up. WE have been able to keep them alive for several hours with good results when the fish are working. At times we often would place a single 8/0 or 9/0 hook and drag them backwards with good results as well Life member M.B.B.A #509 Life member Izaak Walton Fishing Association Life member Cape Cod Canal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ermghoti Posted June 28, 2020 Report Share Posted June 28, 2020 Another vote for butterflied if you're fishing them dead. Massachusetts EPO: 1-800-632-8075 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sams Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 You can use a broken off aluminum arrow for a deboning tool if you cannot find a fancy T handle one. sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaporizor Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 They swim so nice with back bone removed and sewn up correctly with a chin weight. MakoMike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakoMike Posted June 30, 2020 Report Share Posted June 30, 2020 11 hours ago, Vaporizor said: They swim so nice with back bone removed and sewn up correctly with a chin weight. Rigged right they’ll catch anything. Vaporizor 1 ====Mako Mike====Makomania SportfishingPt. Judith, RI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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