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Balloon live bait rig for kings -no waste

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Hints,Tips and How To's
Forum Description: Rigs, tackle, baits, angling techniques, tips and hints & your DIY projects here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=134640
Printed Date: 01 Mar 2026 at 4:36pm


Topic: Balloon live bait rig for kings -no waste
Posted By: LBGer
Subject: Balloon live bait rig for kings -no waste
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2020 at 5:44pm
Been thinking about this for a while, how to use balloons for live bait rigs for kings and stop the balloon from completely breaking away and polluting the ocean. Came up with a solution....




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A king on the bricks is worth 5 in a boat.



Replies:
Posted By: laidbackdood
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2020 at 5:48am
Good idea Scott......i used to use the red/white floats for piper ........put above the swivel by a fair old way and then when you brought the fish in....the float would hit the top guide and slide along the line and nearer to the swivel........that way you didnt need a huge long trace of 50 pound.....worked a treat.

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Once the idiots turn up..Im outta here...No time for Drama Queens.


Posted By: shaneg
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2020 at 11:29pm
Similar to last post that is an environmentally friendly  rig. 
As per Laidbackdood post some old ways were and are still good plus you keep your  float. Always liked big polystyrene cigar float for piper, used to holllow out a bit to fit heavier trace even below swivel,  even split em with a knife and then electro tape round trace, always got them back... ideal for piper or mack, or small kahawai.
Balloon rig as shown is a good idea for big kahawai no doubt.. for few still doing that, with whole big kahawai from a boat drifting  not sure you need balloon at all.


Posted By: LBGer
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2020 at 5:48pm
Yeah shaneg balloon may not be needed if drifting in a boat....

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A king on the bricks is worth 5 in a boat.


Posted By: Goobernator
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 10:23pm
Here's what I came up with a while ago.


Based off blackmagic balloon clip.
Made my own from an old detergent bottle.
Adjustable release pressure by cutting tighter or looser slot in plastic clip and or putting slot over thinner swivel snap or thicker solid ring.
I have lashed my leader to mainline knots with dental floss to streamline/taper and tie the tag down so the snap glides over them easier.
Seemed to work really well, plenty of takes, yet to land one yet.
Only concern is possible line burn from the snap to mainline.
Pre tied everything, makes setting up and changing fast and easy


Posted By: LBGer
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 8:47pm
Looks good - let me know how it goes on a king....

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A king on the bricks is worth 5 in a boat.



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