Thread: piper

Or baby Marlin as I call them.
While fishing off the rocks yesterday, a huge shoal of Piper came into my Burley. I know they are a good snapper and king bait, so tried to catch some on ultra fine line and tiny single hook, just handlining as no spare rod. I managed to get just one, and about twenty bloody sweep, using squid tentacle as bait. I am thinking of setting up to target them to stock up bait, but as I don't have a net, I am looking for suggestions.

How about your beak

Originally Posted by Dundee

How about your beak

I walked right into that one for sure

These things?

Buy Wasabi Sabiki Bait Catchers online at Marine-Deals.co.nz

Thanks Tommy. I do usually carry sabikis and would have used them if they had been in my bag at the time. Just restocked this morning

They are a sucker for bread. I used to catch heaps of them off the Mount. Get a small float. The old porcupine type ones were excellent. Tiny hooks too. Size 16 trout hooks are ideal. I also found a little bit of movement would help.

Always wanted to try a dry ice bomb

How about a fine mesh catch net on a longer pole?

One really gross thing was a lot of them would have a louse or other parasite firmly stuck in their mouths I would find. About 1-10.

Fucking gross louse

Originally Posted by sako75

Always wanted to try a dry ice bomb

How about a fine mesh catch net on a longer pole?

I was utterly rubbish a using a throwing net while I lived in the Carribean but it still worked. These would be very effective here. Don't really see anyone using them though.

Yeah, those nets are effective, but look pretty hard to master.
Also, the spot I have in mind is a very narrow and deep gut, so would be tricky to use a throw net.
I have built a bait trap which I will load with bread and bran. I have plenty of relics from my course fishing days in pomgolia that should do the trick on rod and line. VERY small hooks, floats etc.
I agree on those louse....gross in the extreme

They feed off the surface most often. Therefore use a float with say 250mm trace to tiny hook.

Somebody can't count

Actually, now that I think about it the best bait for piper was piper. I really enjoyed chasing them the evening before a good days kingi fishing.

I use a cast net. Easy to throw, now I know how and I can get a couple days bait in one throw near my burley trail.

Kids love catching them using small hooks and squid or mussel for bait.
They don't seem to work on snapper in the Marlborough sounds for some reason.
Pillies or squid work best there for me.