Live Prawn Rig

Live prawns are deadly for most estuary species and are easily obtained with the use of a powerful light, preferably an underwater one designed for prawning, and a legal prawn net. Spring, summer and early autumn should produce enough prawns for bait, while wading the estuary shallows on moonless nights or try getting up before first light to capture a few prawns and then fish them live through the early hours of the morning.

The best way to keep prawns alive is in an aerated bait tank or container, otherwise simply store them in a bucket with no water and cover them with fresh wet seaweed.

Cast nets and drag nets are also popular for gathering live prawns, however it is again important to check local fisheries rules and regulations, with cast nets illegal in many regions.

Technique 1

Pin the hook through the third last section of the shell of the prawn. This will allow the prawn to kick about, creating a commotion in the water and attracting fish.

Try suspending the prawn while using the ‘Running Sinker Rig’ under a running float and drift it over a sand flat or weed bed. As the tide either rises or falls you can then adjust the drop to suit the depth.

You could also use the ‘Paternoster Rig’ and drift over your favourite sand or mud flats, for bream and flathead.

You could also use the live prawn with a running sinker down onto the tail of the prawn, fished on a long leader or paternoster rig.

Technique 2

Using a turn down eye, longshank hook, you will need to pass the hook in from the tail and have it come out just where the legs begin. The use of the turn down eye hook and a couple of half hitches around the tail will help secure the prawn in a straight position. By using a running sinker down onto the swivel and a long leader of between one and two metres, will allow the prawn to swim naturally or crawl along the bottom.

Technique 3

Nothing could be simpler than pinning a live prawn on a hook that either has a very small amount of weight or none. You can then soft cast the prawn into the base of a set of mangroves, near a snag or an oyster lease. It will be just a matter of having your drag set and hanging on.

Whether you are using a running ball sinker onto the bait, a sliding sinker onto a swivel and a long or short leader, a paternoster rig or suspend it under a float, live prawns are brilliant bait. Position your hook in the second or third section of the body up from the tail. This will allow the prawn to flick about, attracting your next fish. I would use either a circle or wide gaped hooked.

I have caught so many different fish species around Australia on a live prawn. Everything from barramundi, blue and threadfin salmon, to estuary cod and mangrove jack, love a live prawn.

Rod Selection:

Okuma Barbarian Spin Rods - BN-S-802NT - 8'0", 2-4kg Nibble Tip: Ideal for either out of the boat or off the shore in the estuary.

Okuma Barbarian Spin Rods - BN-S-902NT - 9'0", 2-6kg Nibble Tip: Ideal for either out of the boat or off the shore in the estuary, where you may need some extra length in the rod.

Okuma Barbarian Spin Rods - BN-S-1062NT - 10'6", 2-6kg Nibble Tip: Ideal for off the rocks when there is not a lot of ocean swell.

Okuma Barbarian Spin Rods - BN-S-1162NT - 11'6", 2-6kg Nibble Tip: Ideal for fishing off a breakwall or the rocks when you need that extra length to lift or wash the fish out.

REEL SELECTION:

Okuma Alaris Spin Reels – ALS-45 and ALS-55

Okuma JAW Spin Reels – JAW-45

LINE SELECTION:

Platypus Platinum and Pulse Mono -10lb and 12lb for off the rocks and breakwalls.

Platypus Platinum and Pulse Mono – 8lb and 10lb for the estuaries.

Platypus Hard Armour FC Fluorocarbon Leader – 4, 6, 8 and 10lb as your leader material.