Tired of those pesky baitstealers? Try the Half-hitch Tailwrap!

[eyefish2good]

One of the biggest problems we have when fishing shallower the 200ft. here in the south is grunts and small snappers pecking the bait off before a proper fish gets the chance to get to it. One of the best ways to avoid this is use large, fresh cutbait. Sometimes that's not enough. That's when we use this little trick I made up on one of the headboats I worked on 15 years ago.
This trick is easy as long as your bait is prepped first. Cut all fins off of the bait to avoid unnecessary spin when dropping or fishing current. Then scale the tail section from tip to just past the anal cavity. Using a live bait type hook(non offset)try to work hook thru the bone on the tail, then double back working hook towards head and hook again with barb being passed all the way thru. Leave about 1.5" from end of tail to place overhand loop. Hook should be double hooked in bait, eye of hook running towars tail.
The trick is to make 1 overhand loop and then snug it down over end of tail then slowly pulled down into flesh of bait.. This does 2 things. First and foremost it hides your hook from the bigger fish that thought they had seen it all and second it really locks in your bait to help keep them peckers at bay.
This trick works awesome with ballyhoo's, pichard and sardines or any other cutbait that includes the tail section.

[rarhomes]

Love to see a picture if you got one.

[eyefish2good]

I'll try and get some posted later on for ya. I'll have to use a rubber bally.

[eyefish2good]

Step 1 - Live bait hook!
Step 2 - place hook thru bait and then turn point towards head Run hook all the way thru- Hook should now be pointed towards tail[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
Step 3 - make over hand loop and place over tail[IMG][/IMG]
Once loop is over tail pull down snug until mono starts to go thru flesh [IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
When you get that proper hit set -up with no worry of knots in line. Slips right off and you end up with a great hookset as the point of hook is aiming in the right direction. Hope these pics. come out. If you have any questions, just let me know.
Marcus
Don't forget to trim fins off of tail!!

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Very cool tip Marcus!
Holwachagot

[Robja]

Great tip Marcus.

[rarhomes]

Thanks for pictures, I will try out on Sunday if the weather holds.

[tunatamer4]

That's a good tip.

Did you ever try it placing the hook more towards the front of the bait, in the opposite direction and doing the wrap around the head behind the gills?

Just a thought. You'd think having the wrap around the tail would make the bait look a little more "unnatural" sitting backward in the current.

[Sea Draggin]

Every little trick helps.

Thanks.

.

[WAHOONBOX]

AFTER WALKING OUT IN THE GARAGE AND GRABBING A PLASTIC HOO JUST LIKE THE DEMONSTRATION PICS....I DECIDED TO COMMENT HERE AS WELL


FIRST...I LIKE THE FACT A MEMBER IS "SHARING" ....SECOND, SEEMS LIKE A TIP THAT WILL GET 'ER DONE....

FOR THIS ONE I TIP MY RIGGERS TO YA.