Strip Bait Rigs

There are few things to remember when using a strip bait:

1. Ensure that you have the hook point penetrating out through the skin.

2. That you cut the shape of the bait so that there is a pointy end.

3. Select your hook size to suit the fish species that you are targeting.

What type of strip bait you use will depend on which state or territory that you are fishing in, as in some areas you are not allowed to use fish as bait. Dead or alive!

Freshwater eels, catfish, carp, bass, cod, barramundi, mangrove jack and a variety of perches will take a liking to a well-presented piece of fresh fish.

A strip bait on a single hook can be used while using a number of different rigs, including the paternoster, running ball sinker down onto the hook, a running sinker down onto a swivel and a leader of about a metre, suspended under a bubble or stemmed float, a small spit shot or just unweighted.

Technique 1

Any fillet of fish could be used as a strip bait. I tend to salt down some of my fillets so that they will toughen up a bit before using them. Once I have filleted the fish, I will place the skin side down and then lightly sprinkle salt over the flesh side. This can be either stored in plastic containers or freezer bags and frozen for later use.

Technique 2

If you are having trouble using the half-hitch around the pointy end of the strip bait, you could always try just passing the hook through the pointy end and then passing the hook back through the same hole a couple more times. This will lock the line onto the skin, while not forming a knot in the line. When the fish takes the bait, the loops will straighten out.

Technique 3

Even though the strip bait will have plenty of scent and taste to it, you could always apply some Pro-Cure Scent to the bait. I tend to be quite liberal with it as well.

Suggested Combos

Okuma Barbarian Spin Rods - BN-S-702NT, X-Light, 7'0" Nibble Tip, 2-4kg rod, matched with an Okuma JAW Spin Reel - JAW-30 and spooled with 6lb Platypus Pulse Mono or 6lb Pulse X4 Braid for either out of a boat or from the shore.

Okuma Barbarian Spin Rods - BN-S-1162NT, Med/Light, 11'6" Nibble Tip, 2-6kg rod, matched with an Okuma Epixor XT 20, 30 or 40 size reel and spooled with 6lb Platypus Pulse Mono or 6lb Pulse X4 Braid.

Okuma LRF Gen2 Spin Rods - LRF2-S-742L, Light, 7'4", 2-5kg is great for when you are getting those very sensitive bites. Matched with an Okuma Epixor XT 20, 30 or 40 size reel.

Try the Ceymar baitcast rod matched with a Ceymar C100H-A baitcast reel.