Someone teach me about Ballys

[fmoore]

Teach me some things a beginner (from up north ) should know about ballyhoo. Having only been fishing for bluefin for a short time, I am looking for an edge in the plastic and mylar filled waters up off the New Hampshire coast.

Remember, I have never even touched a ballyhoo in my life.
Here goes:

-What size bally for school (50-100, maybe a little over) pound bluefin.

-What rig and hook to use? I did a search here on SFC and found that a lot of guys use The Mustad 7961 Southern Tuna Hook for their hoos. I'm thinking a pin rig will be fine for the tuna.

-Chin weight or no chin weight? We fish out of a 21' boat, so conditions will never be real rough.

-What lures would you put in front of the bally? Jr Ilander? Remember, although we do not always fish for the tuna inshore, the inshore bluefin like smaller baits.

-Think I have the brine thing down from reading old threads.

-Buying hoos-get 'em in the winter, right? How long will they be good for in the "deep freeze"?

-Once I determine what rigs are best, can someone direct me to a "how to" post/vid

-Anything else I really need to know about ballys?

I know this is a whole lot of questions, but if you don't have time to answer 2 or 3, just answer 1. I don't care, just tell me something If you don't want to write, just post a link.

Class is in session. Hopefully by next summer I can say that ballys really do work up here.

Thanks, guys. I know it's sorta a lot to ask, but I'm trying to learn.

[scotty2]

check out the video section...box has a good one

[BYRD]

See if this helps.

145


Box is the master at all things hoo, I'm sure he can help you as well. He has some great videos in the video forum.

[dolphinfrenzi]

Ahhhh but wise one you have arrived to the house of the master of hoos, he goes by the name wahoonbox. he has trained many and many have moved on to catch plenty and win plenty. ask the box, box knows all!!

[fmoore]

Byrd, that was a great video. Thanks for posting that. I am now looking through all the rigging vids in the vids section. Lots of good stuff.

[WAHOONBOX]

DOES MISTER FMOORE HAVE A PACK OF BALLYHOO IN HIS POSSSESSION YET?

I NEED VISUAL PROOF THAT YOU HAVE SOME BEFORE I START SCHOOL! MAYBE SHOE, TROLL , TOPAZ OR VINNIE WILL DELIVER SOME TO HIM....OR HAVE THEY DIGRESSED BACK TO THE OLD WAYS?

[shoefish]

....OR HAVE THEY DIGRESSED BACK TO THE OLD WAYS?

Dude I've only got a couple packs left...bought a couple cases this spring and always have a couple packs all prepped and brined while the rest of 'em have a 7691 7/0 running through them and are swimming their asses of.

Fmoore- drop on by Portsmouth if you want and I'll get you the goods...you just need to talk BOX into getting you some NC style witches....get some extras for me too

[Bluefin22']

I know where there is a tackle store in Salisbury where they stock Bally's.

I buy a pack every week or two and practice rigging them if I dont go or even swim them behind my boat. I go alot with a virgin crew so most of my time im rigging and throwing them out.

Rigging a good bally takes practice I would say 1 out of every 15-20 of mine are worthy of swimming.

Some things you will need before you can even begin to think about it. Patience and Practice, Patience and Practice....etc

Up in these neck of the woods we get the bottom of the barrel for bait of here. So if you want quality you need to bite the bullet and have them shipped up from Florida. Uber money but worth it considering you buying a case or 2. Heck if you want to split a group buy...hmm I am sure there are some northern folk willing to pitch in.

Some tips now. I fish out of a 22 foot boat and can do it pretty well. You need 2 experienced guys and a captain out there or you are just wasting bait. They dont swim right, tumble roll etc. One guy cant do it all.

Prerig everything the night before. I usually will prep a dozen, 6 with chin weights, 6 without. The ones without go on my planer are attached to a islander pro or a green Matanza. The ones with either I will try to get them to swim naked or add a bullet head or seawitch.

Some basic things you will need. 20lb monel rigging wire, buy it in 200 ft spool. Its worth the added cost. #8 Piano wire, I use copper color as I have a ton for sharking laying around. 7691 hooks I used 8/0 some use smaller some larger its all personal preference depending on size of bally. Heavy duty butcher shears for trimming the mono, and the ballys. Bionic brine I got mine from alltackle. I can chime in more about rigging but trust me there are guys that know so much more I will leave it to them.

And lastly good luck, its worth its weight in gold rigging a perfect bally, and watching it swim ohh so perfect.

Hope this is a start..

There are guys willing to help

Steve

[WAHOONBOX]

WAY TO JUMP IN HERE HEADFIRST NEW ENGLANDERS!!!!!

HEY 22'...........GOOD TO HEAR FROM YA !

[HOLWACHAGOT]

This kid will be pillaging the Tuna populations of the east coast before he is out of high school! Well written, well read, and barely into puberty. Rock on 14 year old Fintan! I am 20 years older than you and can't hardly wire up a DVD and you are already wiring the electronics on your boat and Thirsty for fishing knowledge. I "tip my riggers to ya". I need you to PM me your address, I lost it and I have a book you need to read.
Holwachagot