balloon fishing
Submitted by grahaml on Mon, 2011-10-03 19:01
evening gents
Iam off to steep point in a couple of weeks
I have been there dinghy fishing many times but this time we are going to try ballooning we have got some balloons and I think a few tips on how to use them but would be interested in any tips on where to get the cheapest gas and the best type of bait to use under the balloon
cheers
sammy85
Posts: 831
Date Joined: 31/08/10
If you do a balloon rig
If you do a balloon rig search in the search function you should find some diagrams. I did the same thing before I went up to wagoe last April. Bait wise I think would be a fat gardie.
The gas you can hire from a boc gas dealer think from memory u just have to buy the regulator for $30
Good luck mate
Plumber and gas fitter- 0415489103
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Round balloons
Yeah Graham, do a search because there is a fine art to setting your balloons.
Dont skimp out on the balloons, round shape is the best as the wind dosn't whip it around too much, ( ie a pear shape will circle like an out of control kite. )
The rig is usualy 1m of black coated wire trace with 3 to 4 large hooks + a large treble , then a squid skirt and large Gardie. I wrap the whole bait and hooks up with ghost cotton to stop it falling apart.
To get the weight right you might have to add a bean sinker above the bait. The ideal bait should spend 50% of the time in the air and 50% of the time skipping and splashing on the surface.
Hope this helps mate but you should get some advice from your local tackle shop or do a heap of research on the net.
Also party supply shops hire helium bottles with an attachment for balloons.
Cheers Grant..
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
never tried it, but i believe
never tried it, but i believe you need about 900 metres of line on your reel? someone with experience may be able to confirm. And a good cliff gaff.
Fish! HARD!
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Only if
Only if you hook a Marlin or Sailfish randall, lol
Some guy's let out 4 to 500m of line, but i usualy set it 100 to 300m out, depending on how many balloons are out there. (don't want to cross other rigs ) can get messy.
Yeah cliff gaff's are a must, plus you have to beat the sharks and Groper..
PS .. Check out Tailor Marc's Post, Sailfish on video from Steep Point..
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/video-sailfish-steep-point
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I've seen those two groper,
I've seen those two groper, they're each about the size of a mini minor. when they open their mouths, everything within about 3 meters gets sucked in!
Fish! HARD!