Deep-C/Box = Best way to entice a second strike from a Wahoo?

[Blue Flyer]

I thought this may be a good topic, the season is here and we all have fish on the brain. The scenario, you are strictly fishin for 'hoos runnin dead baits either naked or skirted both on the downriggers and topside you get a short strike no hookup, what do you do next?????

I hope Box will chime in on this, I have my own opinions but I would like to hear others, I know Deep should have some great tips from the Bahamas!

Thx for any responses!

[WAHOONBOX]

LETS SAY HE BLOWED UP ON THE SHORT RIGGER....DOGGONE IT! HE BIT OFF THE MONO LEADER! .....I THEN QUICKLY GRAB THE SPIDERWIRE MAINLINE ON MY LONG RIGGER AND TWITCH IT ...OR JERK THE SPIDER WIRE JUST ABOVE THE REEL.........

SINCE THERE IS NO STRETCH IN THE SPIDER....THE BALLYHOO IS NOW IN A "JERKING" MOTION....CRIPPLED TO THE VIEW OF THE WHOSKI

BRIAN DOES THE SSAME WITH HIS BRIDGE POLE....AND WE USUSALLY GET A REACTION FROM THE WHOSKI.....


OR .......I CAN RAPIDLY FREESPOOL THE HALF BAIT THAT WE MISSED HIM ON BUT THIS REACTION MUST BE DONE INSTANTANEOUSLY!!! AND WITH NO HESITATION


WHEN WE MISS ONE ON THE FLATS OR THE SHORTS...OR HE CUTS A TEASER.....WE STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF PICKING HIS ASS OFF ON THE LONGS OR BRIDGE POLE


IF MY PLANER IS NOT DOWN....MANY TIMES I CAN HAVE IT DOWN IN UNDER ONE MINUTE AS BRIAN TURNS BACK ONTO THE "MARK"

[Deep C]

Although I try to avoid the stripey ones when billfishing at Chub, many mornings are spent actually targeting them on the way into the pocket. Like Marty we will jig the long rods if they miss inside. My "pitch " rod consists of a 8 oz red and black jig with a hoo double pinned to it... On a bite, I try to launch that thing straight back and just let her sink sink sink. When she gets just past the riggers I close up the bail and she will start to rise if I have not doinked one on the way down.
I notice that on hook ups a lot of times sinking the spread by stopping the boat, after a brief wait to see if we bow up more, results in adding another one or two to the pile...

[Blue Flyer]

Great insight guys, I hope some others will lend the members their ideas and experiences as well. I agree with the tactics you guys added, one thing I would add is if you are running downriggers or planers with dead baits designed to target 'hoos, use bridle rigs on your planers and clothes pin clips with rubber bands on your downriggers, when you get a short strike suspected to be a 'hoo reel as fast as you can this will usually set Mr. 'hoo off as your bait swims forward and up towards the surface he will come back for the kill. Nothing like seeing your bait rising to the surface with a mad 'hoo on its ass, when he hits the second time he means buisness, awesome sight to see that second hit up top!

Please speak up if anyone else has ideas!

[O-SEA-D]

I used to have good sucsess with dropping it back to them.

Now, I take it away from them first. If I get a strike and I miss him....I give it about 5 cranks.

Think about it...its like taking candy from a baby. You take it away and they want it more. Give him a taste of it, then take it away and say no more for you. Well, that just pisses them off more.

He strikes and misses the hook. Crank it and take it away from him it seems to make them want it more. 9 times out of 10 taking it away will get me a second chance at the fish.

If I crank it and don't get a response I will then drop it back and jig it. Then I will give it a few cranks and jig it again. Then repeat the process until I get a bite or until he is on another bait. It just depends on the situation.