Thread: WTB a Better Ribbon Bait Rig

I have noticed a lot of the pier regulars using ribbon rigs to catch bait. Some seem to be a lot wider and longer than what I've been able to buy over the counter....and the ones used by the regulars all seem to be rigged with something at the top and bottom to hold the netting in position. What I had barely worked, as the fish would "hit" but swim right through.

I would like to buy a couple of these "custom" models...one with the netting for the larger bait and the other with the size that will catch those baby LY's that were such great bait this fall. Don't need the sinker, I have plenty of those.

Rich

Talk to David Allison. He fishes quite often and should be able to help you out.

This is Davids phone: 813-990-7317 and his website AllisonCastNets.com.
robertdaveallison@hotmail.com

I hope this helps.

Thanks BD, I'm sure that's exactly what I need. I met David on my last trip down. Great guy, but I had no idea he made nets.

Rich

[quote author=bottomdweller link=topic=241.msg2031#msg2031 date=1320759508]
This is Davids phone: 813-990-7317 and his website AllisonCastNets.com.
robertdaveallison@hotmail.com

I hope this helps.
[/quote]

Sent him an email. If I get useful info I will share it. This particular topic is not addressed on the web site above, although it was worth the visit because I had no idea how many options there could be in a cast net. :headbang:

Also if you're at the pier you can usually find him there on the end. He'll be happy to help you.

Sadly, I only get down once every few years. :boohoo: The good news is that I have lots of time to get in touch.

I've got some material that you could make your own.....never tried it..... but it sure looks like it would be the perfect size.....I had good luck with the sabiki and just stayed with it .....for bait.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i40.tinypic.com/dw9ap2.jpg[/img]

[img width=640 height=480]http://i40.tinypic.com/2ekpxth.jpg[/img]

also have some smaller then this size ....might be good for the small LY's....but no pictures at this time

David's are the best ---- they all catch bait----but he has a nice arrangement for storing [wrapping them up] when you are done seek him out>>>>> he' an older guy with white wiskers.

Hey Folks, thanks for the positive remarks. A little premier on bait nets: Actually they should be called Pilchard Rigs (the original steel leader wire rigs), as it is Pilchard Sardines we are catching. Alewives are native to the Northeast. There are three theories on how and why the 'Bait Ribbons ' work. One, the bait attacks the ribbon and gills in the net. Two, the bait is attracted to the 'holes' in the net. Three, which is believed to be the most plausible is the bait actually scraps the vertical ribbon to loosen scales in a renewing process. This bears out in the fact bait are rarely caught on the outside perimeter of the netting. You may have noticed last year some red netting material used around the pier. This was an experiment to see if netting sans ribbon would work. Nata, ain't gonna work. So there goes the holes theory. There have also been post made requesting wider bait ribbons, but as just noted, this would serve no use since the ribbon is central to catching. Red ribbon is bright and works, but red is not necessarily. Other bright coloswork but to varying degrees,...like jig colors.