GREEN STICK

[Hudson]

I'm new here and I was wondering if anyone could help me out and explain in detail how the Green Stick works. Any photos of the teaser, clips, hanging baits (squids) would be great. I've always wondered. Thanks!

[alltackle]

http://www.alltackle.com/greenstick_fishing.htm



Introduced to Hawaii in the early 80's by the Japanese, these commercial trolling "green sticks" are tremendously successful not only in Hawaii, but also off the east coast of the U.S., Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico. The generic from "green stick" (the color of the original brand of sticks introduced into Hawaii at the time) has been applied to all heavy-duty fiberglass and carbon-fiber (graphite) sticks used in this type of fishery. The green stick is used to elevated and tow a 20-30# wooden bird up to 400 yards behind the vessel. The bird serves two purposes; (1) keep the main line taut (a key component to the action of the lures), and (2) act as a teaser to attract fish to the surface. Dangling from the mainline between the boat and bird are 4-10 drop lines with artificial squid lures that dip in and out of the water (the lures are not as effective if simply dragged along the surface, since the danglers mimic flying fish). Hard striking tuna have been known to launch themselves a full body length out of the water in an attempt to devour the irresistible jumping squid lures. When hooked up, the mainline releases from the green stick by breaking the tagline, is reeled in by hand or by electric or hydraulic reels. An inflated poly ball is used to float the bird and is positioned behind the bird.

[Hudson]

Good stuff -- thank you

[Seaveyor]

I saw 2 boats using that method last year, but none this year. They were Carolina boats.

[SeaBiscuit]

I saw 2 boats using that method last year, but none this year. They were Carolina boats.

The technique is deadly on the tunas and very exciting to watch. The reason you don't see more of it is that typical Carolina yellowfins get 50 cents per pound at the fish house. King macks get $ 2 +. Go figure!
Biscuit

[Capt_John]

We had one on the charter boat I ran in Hawaii. We only used it a few times though. They're extremely popular over there. I even saw small boats at the boat ramps with telescopic ones.

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

The one problem with the stick is that you have to employ way heavy tackle, even hydraulic bandit reels to reel in the fish, several hooks on the same line.

And while it is effective, there is not much sport in it.

When the tunas are airing it out, we fly the kite, and are able to fish much the same way with the same effectiveness, and you are able to fight the fish on reasonable tackle, Our kite rigs are the new shimano Tyrnos on stand up rods. Lots of fun seeing 40-60 pound yellerfins airing it ount trying to eat a ruber flying fish about 50' from the boat. Even more fun, stand up fighting them, rather than winching them in on a 130 or even hydraulics!

.....And I don't have to put one of those hideous green, purple or blue sticks on my pretty boat!

[Fiore3]

A way to get the same action as the green stick is run a jumping squid lure off the long rigger.. I made up two of the lures this year and they both produced.. Even had a tuna come out of the water and hit the squid mid air... That made my day... If you want the plans on how to make the rig PM me and I will send them to you...

[donald]

I've had some success running a similar rig off my tall center rigger, using a poly ball and bird that breakaway from the rig. This enables me to fight the fish on a normal, though heavy, rig. Can be difficult to relocate your polyball after a long fight though. Dont run too many squids or dont put hooks in all of them, unless you use extremely heavy tackle/rigging. On a multi hookup the tuna will pull in opposite directions and shred your rig.