Can you freeze rigged ballyhoo?

As far as freezing the rigged ones cover the pin point and hook point with a thin piece of cardboard, salt and vacuum seal they will be fine. It just works!

What is rigged ballyhoo?

The ballyhoo is a surface-dwelling baitfish that belongs to the Hemiramphidae or halfbeak family. Tuna, billfish and other pelagic species love to forage on these slender baitfish, and therefore ballyhoo make an excellent rigged trolling bait.

How long does frozen ballyhoo last?

The baits have a shelf life of up to three years if they are kept at 5 degrees F or colder.

How big do ballyhoo get?

Ballyhoo are part of the Hemiramphidae family and can reach a maximum length of 35mm, which is just slightly over 1-foot long; however, they are most commonly between 6” and 12” long. They have a long cylindrical body with a shiny exterior, making them perfect to use as baitfish.

How do you thaw ballyhoo?

If you have frozen ballyhoo, you can thaw them in a bucket of salt water or leave them on ice overnight. Never let the baits sit in fresh water, as this will soften the bait and they will wash out quickly. Don’t forget to leave the drain open on your bait cooler!

How long should you brine ballyhoo?

When fresh ballyhoo are frozen without brining the meat actually expands and pulls away from the bones, which leads to mushy baits once they are thawed. Ideally, allow your fresh baits to soak in a brine solution for up to 24 hours before they are frozen or fished.

How do you use a ballyhoo hook rig?

Circle Hook Ballyhoo Rig. Begin by taking the rigging wire and insert it into the mouth and down through the soft tissue of the throat. Slide the egg sinker onto the wire. 3. Then, take the end of the wire and run through the eye socket twice, closing the gills and securing the rear of the weight.

Do Ballyhoo rigs still catch marlin?

Even in places where they are not native, rigged ballyhoo still catch marlin and tunas, often better than anything else. Through the years, I’ve learned dozens of tricks for rigging them, some simple and some overly complex. Two of my favorite and most versatile ballyhoo rigs are capable of covering a wide range of fishing situations.

Where can I buy Ballyhoo bait?

Ballyhoo come in four different sizes called, from largest to smallest, horse, select, medium and small. They can be bought at most tackle shops that stock big-game tackle, or you can order them from companies such as Next Day Bait ( www.nextdaybait.com ), which will ship cases of bait right to your doorstep.

How do you tie a ballyhoo to a trailer?

Form a trailer loop of 100- to 300-pound mono just large enough to fit over the ballyhoo’s head, then pull the loop forward under the gill plates. Next, slide an egg sinker over both legs of the loop and crimp them together to lock all in place.