How to Rig Skip Bait for Black Marlin

SA Protea angler and SADSAA selector Jaco Hendriksz demonstrates a traditional skip bait rig for black marlin

Traditional jube-jube and circle hook, and how to get a proper hook-up. SADSAA selector and SA protea angler Jaco Hendriksz shows how to rig skip bait for marlin with a circle hook and chafe tube – the old-school way.

Note: Jaco recorded these videos in his native language, Afrikaans. But you can still see the technique, and we’ve translated all the important bits into English under the video – plus: some awesome tips on targeting black marlin right at the end.

WATCH: HOW TO RIG SKIP BAIT FOR BLACK MARLIN

In this video

• Jaco explains that you might want to use skip bait over a lure when the conditions mean you can’t fish within 500–1000 metres from shore and want to fish shallow for the less-aggressive black marlin
• He uses a circle hook on a 300-pound main line, with a 200-pound wax line as the leader, crimped with about 50mm clear chafe tube (fairly standard setup for black marlin)
• He notes you should use a baitfish small enough to be taken whole and swallowed by the marlin – he uses what SA anglers call a jube-jube (small oriental/striped bonito)
• Important is not to make too many holes when securing the skip bait – you want to minimise the water that goes into the fish (it fills the stomach and breaks apart)
• Using a splicing needle, he works one end of the wax line through the mouth from top to bottom, and vice versa from the other side
• Then he works the needle and wax line through the gills to close them about 2 or 3 times, using the same hole wherever possible
• He notes that if you do it properly, the skip bait won’t take on water and should last all day
• Jaco says the big secret is to set your reel to a light drag and then troll the skip bait pretty close to the boat at a low speed.

Jaco Hendriksz (far right) with fellow SADSAA selectors Chris Rothmann, Paddy Venske and Lappies Labuschagne

ABOUT JACO HENDRIKSZ

Most competitive anglers know Jaco very well, he’s a familiar face at many game fish competitions around the country, usually very involved and often helping out with a lot of the organisation too. Not to mention he’s a selector with SADSAA, so he’s definitely someone you’ll get to know when going after your national or even provincial colours (he’s also with Gauteng Deep Sea).

A Carletonville local (just south-west of Johanessburg in Gauteng) and also the vice-chair of Dorado Ski-Boat Club. But he’s not just a bigwig, Jaco is a seasoned angler himself. We’re particularly lucky to have this video from hi because if it wasn’t for the COVID-19 lockdown he might have been way to busy prepping to captain the team that would represent SA at the now-cancelled EFSA European Championship in Cape Verde in May.

USING SKIP BAIT

Skip bait is a tried-and-tested method for targeting black marlin. You’re basically rigging the fish whole with a gap (where the chafe tube goes) between the bait and the hook. The reason for this is that when the fish takes the bait, it actually turns it around in its mouth as it swallows – and you want it to swallow. At that point, the hook is in exactly the right place to catch in the corner of the fish’s mouth, which is a good way to get a secure and humane hook-up.

Like Jaco says, you want to troll at an easy 6–10km/h with the skip bait just gently dragging (not skipping) near the surface of the water. It’s a traditional method and worth rigging up even if you’re fishing with various other baits and lures – it’s good to just have it there, it lasts long. You can use it along with lures or even rigged halfbeak.

WHEN YOU HOOK-UP THE MARLIN

Again, this is a rig you fish on sight. You keep the bait shallow and close to the boat, so Jaco says you should see the marlin come up from behind to inspect it first. Set to a light drag on the reel and watch for when the marlin turns sideways – that’s when it’s grabbed the bait. 

Let if free-spool for about 10 seconds to allow the fish to swallow the bait and then turn up the drag gently (no need to strike). And the fight starts.

Jaco says to watch, the fish should jump within the first 2–3 minutes, and that’s when you know the hook’s firmly lodged. Gradually increase the drag as you bring the fish in for tag and release.

Thanks, Jaco, for these awesome insights!

—

ABOUT THESE #NAUTITIPS

This fishing tips video is courtesy of the South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) who, during March and April 2020 invited anglers from around the country to share their angling video tips. We’ll be releasing more every week. But you can also go and see the originals when you follow and share SADSAA’s Facebook page.

Check out the entire collection of awesome video fishing tips and see the fast way to flush an outboard motor.

—

Plus: See the full story on recreational fishing in lockdown.

Also see how to create a nail knot for game fish lures, making a couta trace, how to rig halfbeak for sailfish and some tips on fishing natal snoek.

Plus: Did you know all Suzuki outboards over 40hp comes standard with built-in troll mode? It means your performance outboard turns into an instant trolling motor.

THE PURSUIT OF AWESOME

Legend also has it that most boats run better under Suzuki power. Discover it for yourself among these Suzuki outboards.

NEW ATOMIC BOATS

Just arrived: New mono-hull boats with latest in design tech. Check out the new Atomic 22 Sport Fisher.

ALL NEW BOATS

Plus: Deep sea, ski-boat, river or cabin cruisers: See all our custom-built new boats. And discover everything we’ve repowered, refitted, refurbed and all new launches + their motors, all under our collective of boats.

—

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Ensure you always get first dibs on the latest deals and be the first to know about fishing news, events and special offers by joining the Nauti-Tech Suzuki Facebook community and signing up for our newsletter.

—
Need to refurbish, refit or revive your boat? Take a peek inside our award-winning Suzuki Marine workshop.