Whole Baitfish (Mackerel/Sardine)
Scaled up from anchovy-sized bait for larger predatory species. What separates a good day targeting big fish from a slow one is often just bait quality here.
Put it on the hook correctly
Live: hook through the nose or shoulder to keep it swimming. Dead, trolled or drifted: hook through both lips.
Keep it usable
Live bait needs a bait tank, dead bait keeps on ice, the same fish works either way depending on your target.
Useful bait supplies
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Fish that commonly match this bait
Common Questions
How do you rig Whole Baitfish (Mackerel/Sardine)?
Live: hook through the nose or shoulder to keep it swimming. Dead, trolled or drifted: hook through both lips.
How do you store Whole Baitfish (Mackerel/Sardine)?
Live bait needs a bait tank, dead bait keeps on ice, the same fish works either way depending on your target.
What fish does Whole Baitfish (Mackerel/Sardine) catch?
Whole Baitfish (Mackerel/Sardine) works well for Thresher Shark, Striped Bass, Pacific Bonito.