octopuss rigging for tuna and broadbill

[anglercarlos]

Does anyone have a good system to rig live or natural octopuss for tuna and broadbill?Where we fish, many broadbill stomachs are filled with octopuss of any size, sometimew really big ones. As it is a very resistant bait and can be kept alive for months, they keep feeding in captivity, i wonder why it is not a more widespread bait. Some comments or rigging techniques would be most welcome.Thank you.anglercarlos

[SeaBiscuit]

I have never fished octopus for swords, but grew up in Greece fishing them for grouper and snapper. Although live octopus was readily available, the fishermen I fished with never used it live. I imagine that the octopus would create a big tangle on the leader if alive. Fresh was important, however. I remember that the best bait was the mass of internal organs from inside the octopus' head. We always took care not to rupture the ink sack when preparing this bait. The rest of the octopus would be split in 2 or more baits, each bait having at least a couple of tentacles.

If I had a supply of fresh octopus, I believe I would rig whole, dead baits for swords, with the organs intact, possibly even exposed outside the sack. I would fasten the hook through the sack and into the mouth (beak), using floss to stitch it in place, if needed.

Good luck figuring out how to bait xiphias and please keep us posted on your progress.

SeaBiscuit

[Bite Me]

Of the 40,000 members some how I knew that the Biscuit would be all over this.

The man has forgotten more about this weird stuff than most of us have ever known..........

Thanks Nick

[austin ensor]

Arent the legs really sharp?? wouldent they cut or fray the line if they were live.?? just my 2 cents.

--austin

[team_A_II]

He may be referring to squid, not octopus ?

[SeaBiscuit]

He may be referring to squid, not octopus ?

He is indeed talking about octopus. They are plentiful in the med, where this gentleman fishes. I would imagine that some sword fishing experts use them successfully even here in the US.

SeaBiscuit

[SeaBiscuit]

Arent the legs really sharp?? wouldent they cut or fray the line if they were live.?? just my 2 cents.

--austin

Nothing "sharp" about an octopus' tentacles Austin. The suction cups of a live animal have a bit of "vacuum" power, but there are no hard or sharp parts to an octopus, other than its beak (mouth) which is on the underside.

SeaBiscuit

[bigfish4me]

Pm capt Mike Buffington, he worked the long range boats out in cali, i am pretty sure the use them frequently over there for bottom fishing.

[neilinov]

Do you know I eat octopus three times a day? I got fucking octopus coming out of my fucking ears. How you like that? What, you want me to stay there and do nothing? Hey, I'm no fuckin' criminal, man. Do you wanna be like a sheep? Like all those other people? Baah! Baah!

[Glueman]

Did I miss something?