Maximising The Life Of Livies

[hottyscotty]

I recently read that livies particularly yakkas can easily last for hours in the water

But mine only last max one hour before they look very tired.

I don't think i'm rigging them up any different from others. The hook is placed approx half way the length of its body and above the line.

So could it be that when its in the water its not swimming properly?

Also, which aerator do you guys use? becoz i do notice at least one or two will die b4 i reach my preferred spot.

[brickman]

yakkas should last for hours explane your set up a bit better

are you casting a long way out or letting the livey swim out

what lead are you useing if any

are you using a 3 way swivel or a ring above a swivel

i usuly rig a yakka through the nose and a treble in the poo hole and give it a hair cut bepending on were i wish it ot go[up or down,free swimming or circles

gary

[hottyscotty]

its just a float on the main line tied to a swivel and then the leader on the other end. i don't use a sinker.

i cast it out just far enough so it won't get washed back in and then let it swim out

[trungie]

yakkas should last for hours explane your set up a bit better

are you casting a long way out or letting the livey swim out

what lead are you useing if any

are you using a 3 way swivel or a ring above a swivel

i usuly rig a yakka through the nose and a treble in the poo hole and give it a hair cut bepending on were i wish it ot go[up or down,free swimming or circles

gary

Gaz, about ur poo hole trebble. Do you hook it in? Please explain more (owch)

[brickman]

you rig sounds fine the livey may be getting pulled around a bit or you may be going to deep in the back

try setting the hook just past half way towards the tail and go shallow

the treble goes way up the poo hole

gary

[andrew399]

you could try hookng it through the nose...

[jewgaffer]

...........I recently read that livies particularly yakkas can easily last for hours in the water

.......But mine only last max one hour before they look very tired.

.......Also, which aerator do you guys use? becoz i do notice at least one or two will die b4 i reach my preferred spot.

Hi Hottyscotty

I use a dohhh live fish keeper with a trac 12v aerator and a lightweight camper's 12volt battery which comes in an easy carry pack. I always use two hook rigs on live bait, hooking the bottom hook just inside the sinue on the dorsal fin . The second hook or first hook tied pulls the shank down onto the back of the livie so that a head take won't be impeded by the shank and the upright leader and has the hook facing the tail so that a spit out will hook up on the barb rather than just roll over the gape of the hook. You can do this by winding the leader in between the two hooks around the body of the livie and either stimulate the rotunda by gently penetrating the spincter with the barb as Gary might do or you can secure the second hook against the sinue at the tail fin.

Cheers

jewgaffer

[hottyscotty]

try setting the hook just past half way towards the tail and go shallow

its probable that i've put the livie down too deep. the first time i fished with live baits i was told to place the bait 2m from the bottom. but i had instant hook ups so i didn't get the chance to see how long it would last.

so, from the surface, how far down should i place the bait?

hey jewgaffer, i tried googling the aerator you mentioned but the "dohhh" bit looked suss so i'm going to pm you to find out the name, unless that is the correct name haha

[caranx]

By deep, he meant that you are placing the hook too far into the yakkas back. You only just need it to go under the top of the back. If you puncture to close to the lateral line it will die. Ive had livies sit out in the wash for hours (obviously a slow day!) and still come back ok. I never cast them out though. I lob them in under a torpedo float or small balloon and then let the current / wind and thier swimming take them out. If chasing kings, you dont need to cast them out far anyway. You can also nose hook them as kings take them head first mostly.

I use just a battery powered aerator and the yakkas do fine, but on location store them in a rock pool and bucket water in every so often.

Im not a fan of casting yakkas out far as you can rip the hooks out, plus stun the fish to much. as to how deep you let the livei swims depends on the location. In some areas a few metres , others closer to the top. You just dont want them swimming down into the rocks and snagging you up and becoming squid food too easy.