Ballooning

[Gone Fishing]

Guys although I have been fishing for many years I have never tried using a balloon as a float. I was hoping someone could give me some hints as too the best way to tie the balloon to the line so that when the bait is taken the balloon lets go. I will mainly be using it out of the back of the boat on the reef as a floating bait for macks and other pelagics so I dont need to worry about using helium to get my bait away from me.

Ken

[Tim]

I've always wondered the same. I have also wondered what advantages does the ballon have over a traditional float? Is it carried further because of the wind?

TIm

[Gone Fishing]

Tim the only advantage I can see with balloons is that they are cheap, you dont need much room to store them and easy to replace. For my type of fishing I dont need the wind to blow them out as all I have to do is throw it over the side and let the current take it about 50mtrs from the back of the boat. If you are somewhere like smelly and chevin are at the moment then larger balloons are an advantage cause the wind does help to take them out. I think that the easiest way will be to tie the balloon directly to the line that way I can regulate how far down the bait goes. If it is grabbed it should just go under.

Ken

[Garn71]

If you want the balloon to release tie it onto the main line with light breaking strain or cotton. A well tied partially inflated balloon will help in keeping the fish near the surface. It's amazing how long they can stretch when dragged under water! Yes. they are cheap but don't leave them in the boat too long between trips. They seem to deteriorate quickly.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Gone Fishing

Tim the only advantage I can see with balloons is that they are cheap, you dont need much room to store them and easy to replace. For my type of fishing I dont need the wind to blow them out as all I have to do is throw it over the side and let the current take it about 50mtrs from the back of the boat. If you are somewhere like smelly and chevin are at the moment then larger balloons are an advantage cause the wind does help to take them out. I think that the easiest way will be to tie the balloon directly to the line that way I can regulate how far down the bait goes. If it is grabbed it should just go under.

Ken

Thanks Ken, Its a technique I think I will try very sonnprobably when up north in a month or so.

Cheers

Tim

[Gone Fishing]

Tim, when you coming up north and how far are you coming up.

Ken

[Livebait]

it helps with the currents cos then you dont have to blow them up as big, as has already been posted when shark fishing we tend to set the depth and then run our ballon of 1kg line leader and then with the pressure of the fish pulling down/across it tends to pop the ballon. if not then just have a gaff ready and once it is close enuff just go whack and pop she goes. here are some links to different rigs that can be used.


















Im not sure what the regulations are on using the break free float rigs up there but i have heard that u cannot use them in certain places. apparently the turtles eatem.

Hamish

[Gone Fishing]

thanks for that mate will look into setting up the rig. I will also look into the regs for break free.

Ken

[Shane Spearfish]

The easiest way to rig the release for the balloon is a slip knotin your main line....about 8 meters from the hook just loop your line and tie the blown up balloon around that loop..when a fish drags the bait away the line will simply slide out fom the balloons knot..great way to catch Mackerel in crowded anchoring situations as the balloon will carry your rig away as far as you want to encroach on your neighbours.

[Gone Fishing]

Shane thanks for that. I am hoping to get out on Thursday and try and find some macks to play with. I will give it a try.

Ken