I would like to add a few questions if i may. do you cast it in (gently ) or just let it swim off? weight or not?

Thanks

I have heard that you snip the beak off the gardies and use a 4 gang hook? Dunno if this is for live or dead baits though. Also I am not to certain about the number of hooks allowed, when I heard this I thought that you were only allowed gangs of 3 and a maximum of three per line. Anyone else able to clarify this ?

Apparently the Gardies stay together better than mulies though?

but you can't have more than three hook set ups on a line, ie, you can'r have more than three sets of gangs on a line, or more than three single hooks, or more than three sets of snelled hooks.

sarcasm0 - I would say that a set of gang hooks would only be if using a gardie as dead bait. You need to give it the freedom to move and with 4 hooks in it ganged it's movement will be extremely limited and lifespan shortened somewhat. But yes - gardies will stay on the hook especially if freshly caught / frozen - they have a decent spine and will not come off the hook easy like mulies - ("one shots").

If your in a position to let it swim - then that is probably preferred too as casting a fish can stun it or kill it completely - depending on the type of fish.

Cheers

Rob

For most of my livie work its through the back of the shoulder, from barra through to dolphinfish at the fads or spaniards on the back of the reef.  Thats for good sized live baits, if you have small livies (like the size of your finger) then I would go for the nose hook method as the fish is likely to swallow the whole thing if you free spool him enough. One hook is generally fine, I have used 2 on a snelled wire rig going for big spaniards on BIG baits, but one will usually suffice.

Thanks for the tip Adam. :)

The liveys I will be using are herring mainly, but occasionally gardies too. Yeah - I think one hook would definately suffice with a herring and I might go trial and error with the gardies - to see if I get regular hookups with just one hook.

Cheers,

Rob

if your at anchor then a hook throught the back in front of the dorsal fin will do. allows the fish to swim easy. your rod tip will move as the fish swims and watch it  because as soon as your baitfish spooks with impending doom......it will show through to your rod tip. let the fish swallow the bait and free spool for a few seconds. if you hook the baitfish near the tail it will restrict its ability to swim and thus not present itself well......

have used the same technique when casting out with a paternoster rig. just be gentle. if landbased another great way is to slide the fish down the mainline. Cast your sinker out then simply attach the fish to the mainline using a slide swivel. the baitfish can then swim out.....

gangs dont work well with live bait if you stick three sets of hooks in.

circle hooks work well and peg the fish in the corner of the mouth.

Thanks for the info guys.

the best way to hook gardies for livebaiting is definatly just behind the anal fin, small strong livebait hooks 2/0 are the way to go, nothing heavier than 80lb trace, 2m's is usually enough. do not cast, as they are VERY Fragile. just simply attach a small balloon (no bigger than a tennis ball) to the top of the swivel. send them out. They will keep on the surface and should stay alive for awhile with this rig.

Pretty much every other livie i would hook just infront on the pectoral fin. Hook them as lightly as possible to keep them alive. Circle hooks would be my choice. Balloon also, or slide down the mainline via swivel like damo suggested ( especially good, because your fishing the whole water column.) If your after sharks, big livie with a small cut just before the tail will give you a nice blood trail.

Wouldnt use gangs, just ends up making a mess of things when you come to release fish. Or in this case would kill a livebait very quickly for no added gain.