g
i
r
m
e
u
t T h nundr
co
There is often a lot of talk
about which rig suits best
when it comes to whiting
fishing and while there are
three main rigs to use, each
has its benefits.
In shallow water, whiting
are often quite shy and
stay close to the bottom.
It is for this reason that a
running sinker or extended
paternoster rig be used.
These two rigs allow the
bait to be closer to the
bottom. Due to the nature
of whiting being skittish
in shallower water, it is
best for the rig to be made
up of lighter fluorocarbon,
say something around
6-8lb and as for the hook,
a Mustad #6 long shank
Bloodworm.
Whiting can be very
finicky in their feeding
patterns and don’t often
engulf a bait, rather they
will pick at it, which is the
sole reason for the long
shank hook. Using a long
22
shank hook requires the
angler to hold the rod in
hand to feel for the bite
and when felt, the angler
can strike to firmly set the
hook into the fish. Should
a circle hook be used and
the fish prick itself without
hooking up, it could spook
the entire school.
In deep water of the
Western Ports channels, a
paternoster rig using two
Mustad size #2 Demon
Light Circle hooks is
recommended. Due to
also attracting salmon,
pinkie snapper and other
hard fighting species, the
paternoster rig should be
tied from a minimum of
16lb fluorocarbon leader
to prevent being busted
off. The whiting will not
shy from the thicker leader
in deeper water and you
won’t have to be worried
about being busted off if
the bite is hot and having
to re-tie a leader during
the mayhem.
A paternoster rig allows
two baits to be
suspended a little
higher in the water
over the weeds
and grasses where
whiting can easily
slurp up the baits.
Regardless of whether
you’re using a long
shank or circle hook, when
putting the bait onto the
hook always take your
time and don’t rush it. You
don’t need to completely
cover the entire hook with
the bait either, just gently
wrap the pipi or mussel
around the shank of the
hook each time pinning it
over the point and barb
leaving a fair amount of
the hooks point exposed
as possible. Baiting in this
way will have the fish pin
itself more easily than if
the point is covered.