Twist or straight through, clicker on not?

[Squidnation]

Two of the biggest things that are discussed when fishing on charter boats with friends. It seems like the conversation always turn to "thats not how we do it" nomatter how its done.

So do you twist your line on the riggers and flatline clips. Also do you have your clickers on or off when billfishing.

Here is what I found to be the most effective for me. Long riggers - straight through. I like feeding through the clip.
clicker off on the riggers. There is enough give to not worry about a backlash usually, if you are making a sandwich or grabbing a drink.
Clicker on and straight through on the flatlines. This is the only place I don't mind the clickers on. Too many times they sneak off the squiddredge and onto the flatline unnoticed. in that case they can back lash u pretty bad on the the wammo.

So what do u do? a specify charter or private. cuz I find more charter boats twisting to hopefully gain the hook up before the angler has a chance to blow it.

I am talking about circle hook bait fishing on tlds 25 or 30's here

[Bert Rodgers]

I also use the clicker on the flats but I 10 twist in the flatline clips and freespool the reel. On the long riggers no twist no clicker drag set just enough to stop line from pulling off.


A lot depends on the crew you have in the pit.

Bert

[Anthony of the ARK]

"here's how we do it"

our crew has limited experience hooking billfish with circle hooks. myself included. most time that we marlin fish we are fishing with the same crew as a private boat, but marty and i choose to fish the same either charter or private.

Flat lines: twisted 3 to 6 times in free spool with the clicker on. The reasons being is that if someones late to the rod or i already have one rod in my hand. there is a less of a chance of a back lash and it is still possible to hook a fish with the clicker on.

The Riggers: straight through. clicker on drag as light as possible. we like the line straight through for a couple reasons, first being we like to feed the fish though the rigger, second is you can readjust the bait with out having to pull the rigger down or get a weed off.

And the center rigger: now this is funny but effective. Marty missed a fish one day when he was messing with the electronics. so what he does is run the line up the center rigger clip then down to another clip to that is mounted between two rod holders on the bridge. both clips are set as light as possible. it automatically gives him a drop back if he get caught up with the electronics or trying to work a fish on the teasers. me hasnt missed many since hes started doing that

[Bert Rodgers]

"here's how we do it"

our crew has limited experience hooking billfish with circle hooks. myself included. most time that we marlin fish we are fishing with the same crew as a private boat, but marty and i choose to fish the same either charter or private.

Flat lines: twisted 3 to 6 times in free spool with the clicker on. The reasons being is that if someones late to the rod or i already have one rod in my hand. there is a less of a chance of a back lash and it is still possible to hook a fish with the clicker on.

The Riggers: straight through. clicker on drag as light as possible. we like the line straight through for a couple reasons, first being we like to feed the fish though the rigger, second is you can readjust the bait with out having to pull the rigger down or get a weed off.

And the center rigger: now this is funny but effective. Marty missed a fish one day when he was messing with the electronics. so what he does is run the line up the center rigger clip then down to another clip to that is mounted between two rod holders on the bridge. both clips are set as light as possible. it automatically gives him a drop back if he get caught up with the electronics or trying to work a fish on the teasers. me hasnt missed many since hes started doing that

I also use a "different" rig for the bridge pole when fishing circle dinks. I have a Blacks clip crimped to the rail with a piece of mono. I run a spinning rod from the bridge rail holder, the clip is even with the reel so I twist the line between the spool and the 1st guide and clip it their and open the bail. It's important to measure the clip line so that it comes straight off the spool so there is tension. Also, don't leave the bridge with is clipped like that. I run this bait short
just beyond the flat lines.

Bert

[costaricasportfishing]

Clickers On....Freespool.

Twist it up....


I think this is a matter of what you like best. Both work.

I don't like to run it through the clip because I feel like once you start to come tight on the fish and the clip then pops...the fish it getting some slack line from the line popping off the rigger at the moment you want the hook to be finding it's new home in the corner of the mouth.

I don't know if that makes any sense or not. I would say it's maybe even 50/50 on twist or no twist.

[92 feet down]

Charter. No twist. Clickers on. Just enough drag to keep the bait in place.

[C-Duck]

Private. Riggers straight through. Flats get the twist. If we have enough anglers to man the gear properly, no clickers. If not, clickers are on. If I could keep everything in free-spool I would, otherwise just enough drag to keep them from slipping.

Curtis Campbell
Reel Estate Sportfishing
Ocean City, MD

[clt_capt]

Private.

Riggers straight through.
Flats straight through

If we have enough anglers to man the gear properly, no clickers. If not, clickers are on.

Just enough drag to keep from dropping line

[Southwind]

3 floss loops on every rod.6 fathoms flat ,14-17 fathoms short and 28-34 fathoms long. varies from boat to boat . spread goes out right every time. reels in freespool w/clickers. anyone in the cockpit can put a bait out in the right place. no yelling drop that one back,etc. nice clean release on bite. grass gets bad just pull em straight thru.

[hobie2]

Private. Straight through, clickers on with a tiny bit of drag so line doesn't come off.