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Tips for Livebaiting?

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Landbased & Surfcasting
Forum Description: From rocks or beaches, here's the place for the landbased fishos to share information
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138598
Printed Date: 04 Feb 2026 at 11:02am


Topic: Tips for Livebaiting?
Posted By: Scamp125
Subject: Tips for Livebaiting?
Date Posted: 28 May 2024 at 2:19pm
So, I want to get into live baiting off the rocks in Wellington Harbour, targeting kingfish. Since I'm new to live baiting I'm not targeting anything huge, so I bought a combo recommended to me by a friend for relatively cheap called the PENN Fierce III which came with quite a large 6000 reel and an 8-15kg 7ft rod. I have a few questions about it:

1. Will this combo be strong for targeting small to medium sized Kingi's which I believe are the average sizes you get from the rocks in wellington?

2. I read some forums, and everyone says mono lines are the best, so I spooled it with 50lb Berkely big game line and it seems there is not enough line on the spool maybe 140ish meters, is this enough? Or should I switch to braided line? If so, what are the Pros and Cons of using braid over mono for live baiting?

3. I was thinking of using a 100lb Black Magic Fluorocarbon trace, I'm not sure if its strong enough but I saw a few people online recommending it for beginners.

4. The reel I got has a Live Line switch, so I assume you leave that on and let the fish run with your live bait for like 10 seconds and then set the hook? 

5. I was also wondering what size and type of hooks I should use for live baiting biggish jack or slimy mackerel and maybe kahawai or mullet.

If anyone has any other additional tips they can give me, I would greatly appreciate it otherwise thank you so much.


Replies:
Posted By: shaneg
Date Posted: 29 May 2024 at 8:42pm
Penn fierce 6000 is good reel and will do the job, I’d go 9/0 or 10/0 gamakatsu octopus hooks to hook livies through shoulder with. Good strong hooks with excellent penetration. otherwise mustard hoodlum in smaller size 7/0. You’ll want at least 80 lb trace and decent swivel, heavy duty black magic should be fine. 50lb nylon is pretty strong as mainline, should be ample. We fish 30lb braid on Penn fierce 6000 non bait runner version, and have caught some nice kings and big snapper on that rig.  I use  dead piper on it mainly if targeting kings, and whole live or dead Mack’s. It’s not sort rig you would put a large live kahawai on, but may work. Make sure main drag is set towards top end so you stop the king or at least slow it down.

Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 30 May 2024 at 3:37pm
I was going to post earlier - but don't do much land based, so refrained. But mostly endorse Shanegs comments. Mono prob better than braid for foul ground fishing. 50lb should be enough and 80lb trace fine.
One other hook I use for live bait is BKK slim 10/0 circle. Is offset and very sharp. Black Magic also do a live bait J hook. Around size 7 should be fine - thru the back - I go just in front of the dorsal fin.
That lever is your bait runner - let it free spool for a bit  (5-10 sec)- you are on to it.
Good luck.
Alan


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Legasea Legend member

Posted By: BotStomper
Date Posted: 31 May 2024 at 10:45am
Assume you are you slidebaiting?

You've somehow ended up with a boat rod and one that is going to be quite soft for pulling on a Kingfish.

You don't need a lot of mainline strength for Wellington harbour kings. 15kg is heaps. Most people I know that slidebait regularly use 15kg mono or braid. Braid gets you lots more capacity, and "15kg" braid is probably close to the strength of your 50lb mono. For your leader 80lb is heaps.

Hooks.... they don't need to be anything too exciting. Circle hooks are your friend for hooking the fish without you having to do anything. A smaller hook means a happier livebait that lives longer, as long as it's big enough that the livebait doesn't block the gap of the hook. Gamakatsu Octopus Circle or BKK Circle probably fine.

Slidebaiting, you don't need to bother with the Liveliner bit. Just set your drag and wait for the rod to bend.

Go see Felix or Steve at Capital Fishing on Ghuznee for more information, they've done plenty of it.


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