Dead Bait Wire Mackerel Rig 101 - To Catch big Spanish! Fishing Australia

With tail end of Cyclone Debbie pushing through last week the fishing has been put on hold for a bit while the rivers empty an amazing amount of water out to the ocean, causing all the coast line and canals to be the colour of chocolate milk. This should fire the fishing up over the next week or two but it really needs a little time to for the wind and water to settle down... so it's the perfect time to finally get the first mackerel rig video done!
This video will go over everything you need to put together a solid dead bit rig that has been the mainstay for a lot of mackerel fisherman for many years. This rig is simple enough for a beginner but also has a lot of scope for refining and getting to know what really makes an effective rig and a better fisherman. It's versatile with the ability to be used for live and dead baits with out re tying. It can also be easily adapted for baits of any size by adding weight and stinger hooks.
Please feel free to ask any questions that come up. Cheers Rod
Don't forget to Subscribe + Like + Share if your into it.
Music:
A X I A N N N - Hold You Tight
/ hold-u-tight
Rigging gear used:
44lbs Masons single star and wire
Size 5 Mustard Hoodlum live bait hook
Pink Squid Skirt or Pulsator duster
3 x strong VMC treble hook
Some of the gear I use:
Stealth Profisha 475 Kayak
GoPro Hero 5 Black
GoPro Hero 3+ Silver
Waterwolf 1.0 Troll camera
NRS Zen PFD
Ultra Trek 2 PFD
Lowrance Elite 5Ti Sounder / Combo
Penn Spinfisher V 4500, Mulit-Colour 30lbs braid, Uglystik 4-8kg Platinum rod.
Penn Slammer III 5500, 30lbs Spiderwire Blue Camo braid, 40lbs fluro leader and an Ocean Assassin Archipelago rod.
Penn Fathom 30 2 speed Lever Drag, 50lbs Spiderwire Code Red braid, Uglystik Gx2 10-15kg rod.
Penn Torque 30 Stardrag, 50lbs Spiderwire Code Red braid, Penn Powercurve Reload 15-20kg rod.
Big thanks to my sponsors:
Australian Kayak Specialists - kayakspecialists.com.au
Stealth Kayaks - stealthkayaks.co.za
Penn Australia - pennfishing.com.au
Berkley - www.berkley-fishing.com.au
Lowrance - www.lowrance.com/en-au/
Ugly Stik - shakespeare.com.au
Pulsator Lures - www.pulsatorlures.com.au
Lockrack Australia - lockrack.com.au
Like and follow RoKKiT KiT here too:
/ rokkitkit
/ rokkitkit

[@gregarmitage8304]

Great info for me, I'm hoping to get out and give it a go soon. Getting my gear together at the moment and learning as much as possible Your videos are really helpful. Thank you!

[@reelsandwheels1]

Nice easy tutorial, well filmed. Much appreciated thanks!

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Mate

[@humphreybear96325]

Another quality presentation, thank you shared the information. Much appreciated!

[@obanquet]

Excellent! Love the quality of the video with very good focus on the rigging!

[@rokkitkit]

Glad you liked it, thanks.

[@junolegend9045]

Dude - cleanest haywire twist ive seen. Nice job man!

[@harmihemi5968]

Excellent tutorial.. Thanks Rod👍👍

[@dzdiscoverypassion577]

Thanks from North Africa. Is Algeria. I like what you do.

[@gingernaut2550]

I like this set up, thanks for not rushing the video or filling it with fluff to make it longer for the algorithm. Going to try this for monster pike in northern alberta canada!

[@LiquidAntler]

Great video mate will try this rig out!

[@drewrosa5403]

that's wicked mate thanks for taking the time to show your fans tips and techniques to help them land more fish always love the uploads

[@rokkitkit]

No problems, hope it works for you!

[@yakkindaz7477]

Awesome! Thx for taking the time to make that video

[@raveljames2532]

Thanks Mate, I'm a beginner and really learnt heaps

[@sebastiaanvandeveire7635]

Very good tutorial mate!

[@walldog1457]

very informative well done vid,thanks for your time again. Really glade you and your family where spared from the big blow.i know hurricanes really well living in Florida. Oviedo, Fl.

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Mate, yea was more like a big rain storm where we are, up further north got pretty hammered.

[@jamesbenz3228]

So weird seeing Oviedo pop up on one of Rods vids. I live right outside of Oviedo. A friend showed me Townhouse restaurant years ago and Ive been going ever since. Tight lines.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Good deal. Nice to see a tutorial. I did notice a lot of people asking about that rig you use.

[@rokkitkit]

Hey Steve, yes by far my most asked for video. I still have a few other rigs so will have to work my way through more how to style vids. But first I think I may need to jump on the Catch and cook train! Just need to actually catch a fish first :)

[@mikeysan6343]

Great video for those of us who didn't have a dad who was into fishing. Will give this rig a go. Thanks.

[@rokkitkit]

No problems Mike!

[@KayakFrank]

Great tutorial. Thanks for taking the time on the explanation. I like how you squeeze the lead in the hook for the rig.

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Frank, would be keen to see if they work over your way.

[@KayakFrank]

Will work better than a dead ballyhoo, on a double j hook rig I'm sure. Less spinning due to the weighted hook I suppose. We usually catch our own livies, but that's not always the case. Your setup, will be the next best thing for sure.

[@iamthedaneman]

Could you use a jighead if you don;t have the tools? (office life...)

[@rokkitkit]

I know one guy that uses a jig head and does have success, but Im not sure how it all comes together. the hook will be quite far down the head so you will have to play around with it a bit to find out the best place to pin it.

[@Scionxbturbo]

Awesome Vid keep up the good work!!! Greetings from Puerto Rico!

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Carlos!

[@SB.415]

I've been waiting for this video to come up. Gonna spend my weekend making a few of these up. Awesome video once again and am keen to see if these work

[@rokkitkit]

Good stuff Sebastian, get those baits swimming and hopefully you will be on!

[@anthonylawlor9130]

Excellent advice.

[@jairusaudwin2605]

Thx to you, i just landed 2 spanish yesterday using this technique.

[@kayakrexadventure2308]

Nice one.Good morning

[@nathanjmorel]

Glad to hear you and yours are safe up that way! Helpful stuff for when i can start hunting the pelagics one day. Great instructions, and easy for a newbie without being condenscending. Love your work as always.

[@rokkitkit]

Cheers, yea we are in a well draining area so no drams for us. Glad you liked the vid!

[@ezyroller]

I was actually planning on asking you about your dead bait rigs. Cheers man!

[@rokkitkit]

No problems, I will keep putting up these kinds of videos as they come up.

[@chrismcnally243]

another great vid mate!👏

[@rokkitkit]

Cheers Chris

[@ClarkeysCapers]

Thanks Rod. Made a few of these up recently. Caught my first tuna on one yesterday 😆

[@rokkitkit]

Nice one mate, hope you see plenty more!

[@R1p3rGaming]

Thanks for the rig video mate. Keep it up. shared with the group. Cheers and keep it tight. Once Debbie is out of the way. Time to spin the reels and keep the line tight. Cheers mate.

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Gerard! Yep I have a trip down to Jervis Bay next week so hopefully I can get a good fish in.

[@R1p3rGaming]

You will buddy. Finger cross on ya.

[@lukekenzler731]

Thanks for another great vid. Will be testing using the new rig tomorrow out in the yak, I already much prefer this style than gang hooks.

[@rokkitkit]

Good luck mate

[@mattwatson5933]

awesome mate thanks for doing that look forward to trying it out

[@rokkitkit]

Cheers, good luck mate!

[@boozalooza5285]

Would love to see this going over your live bait rig, ive never seen one like what you use and would love a deep dive on that one.

[@ricco181]

eyy never knew you had this video was gonna hit you up about your mackeral rig

[@myIphone70]

Thanks for the tips.

[@rokkitkit]

No problems, thanks for watching them!

[@SATRAT-1]

Thanks Rod your a champion mate...

[@rokkitkit]

No probs Steve!

[@TJTJ-ls3nu]

Awesome vids. Really like your prep-travel-fish sequence. Just missing the clean-cook sequence to finish it off so really keen to see some of this with your fav recipes. Doesn't all need to be on same day. Can be cooking a previous frozen fish.

[@rokkitkit]

Agreed, I am working on a few Catch and Cooks so stay tuned. I don't tend to freeze fish, gives me more incentive to catch one fresh... but also puts the pressure on when the wife starts to question my fishing skills when I come home empty handed :)

[@lazzasamuels3722]

Your videos are fantastic. Very informative, interesting to watch, and totally motivating! I'm budget constrained to fish Sydney Middle Harbour/upper Hawkesbury (inshore) at the moment and am hoping to get a decent kayak to head offshore next year.

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks mate, always good to hear people get into the vids! Good luck getting out offshore.

[@mickedwards6693]

Good video mate..Im from down pottsville beach..Been fishing for mackeral since I was very young ..Ive never tried this type of rig but will definitely give it a go..🖒

[@rokkitkit]

Yea it a good option if you don't have live bait handy. Also saves lots of time as you don't need to catch bait and you can start fishing straight away. Good luck!

[@mickedwards6693]

Somtimes live bait is a little hard to come by so this would definitely be a great option.After the fresh water starts to dissapear should be some awesome fishing to come in the next few months..Good luck to you aswell mate..

[@EndlessWeekendlife]

Great tips mate. Will give that a go. Good to see someone using bait and owning it.. lure guys..lol

[@rokkitkit]

Yea I do favour the baits... if I could get the same catch rate trolling with lures I happily switch... Once snapper season hits Ill be a plastics man for a bit :)

[@chrisuk1000]

great vid cheers

[@kennybradshaw2122]

Excellent!

[@Beugsinker]

nice video great ideas 👍

[@rokkitkit]

Cheers Mate, hope people can get something out of it.

[@marktobing]

Thanks for this vid Rod. Love all your vids. For this rig do you also use mono leader from your braid to wire or just braid straight to wire? If use mono, how long is it and what’s the best size, is it 50 lbs too or heavier? How long is the line you troll behind your kayak? and how you minimise tangle when trolling? Sorry for so many Qs. Just got excited watching you catching all those fish 😊. Maybe it will be great if you could also make a vid to teach us on how to read your lowrance sounder and tips on how to find good spots using it. Cheers.

[@russelthomson5065]

Hey Rod I was going through all your vids that I saved over the years and watched this one again. You should try doing more tutorials on rigs, they are really good! When you're catching bait are you just using a store bought sabiki rig or your own version of one. It would be great if you could share this. I think you might have in a previous video but would love to see it again. Thanks mate!

[@delstep2255]

Thanks my brother

[@calucho28457]

Good instructions great to learn from. The move between 846 to 856 I don't recomend this little point of wire is enough to damage your hand if this slip trough it can cut you.

[@shakeme3290]

Four hooks and you want to be a lil girl about the cut wire? lmao

[@niclansdown6895]

Never knew how to rig a dead bait to troll. This really helps me understand and I am keen to give it a crack :)

[@rokkitkit]

No problems!

[@madise6272]

Today I caught a Cobia on this rig. Thank you

[@STELLA20000]

Hi.Great tutorial!Nice layout of the gear needed for this rig.Will a live fish work better trolling for large spanish Mackeral and what is the recommended cruseing speed for trolling in about 30ft deep water?

[@TheRicardoencabos]

Hey men thanks...great material....

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Mate, glad you like it.

[@manuelalexanderhernandesso8819]

Thank you

[@martincorrea1000]

Excelent tutorial!!!

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks mate!

[@payitforward9442]

Can you post you gar rig, I see you are using spring on nose now. Would love to see all your favourite rigs.

[@noranicolea5977]

Awesome vid bro cheers

[@eslamnasr3839]

. greetings from an Egyptian fisherman, nice video

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks for watching mate!

[@n.terangi9870]

Merci pour ton partage :)

[@rokkitkit]

vous êtes le bienvenu!

[@cuttlefishpie3731]

Going to try this trolling for Catfish and Walleye on the Red River and Lake Winnipeg, Canada!

[@rokkitkit]

yea give it a go, good luck!

[@barrymurphy3554]

Thanks very much Cheers

[@rokkitkit]

Good luck with the rigs mate!

[@gregjosephson]

Thank you !

[@ryansens6072]

Nice rig 👌. Gonna test it out tomorrow. What time of day do you find most productive when mackeral fishing?

[@tylerbrierley4453]

How far off of shore will you generally go for mackerel and tuna would you take a sit on kayak out there

[@kimosabe6692]

Yep thanks thats very helpful

[@rokkitkit]

Cheers Kim!

[@clashofnightz3887]

Just fresh water fish cause I'm having Trubel to which bait to use

[@hazefishingny3747]

cool video bro

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Mate!

[@willmacaluso5293]

Good vid, thanx!

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Will

[@gregarmitage8304]

Hi Rod, What do you recommend for lure fishing off sunny coast?

[@SpicyAngler]

Beautiful rig. Would this one be the same for live bait as well?

[@Felixkoifish]

May I know can I use rig for yellowtail ? Thank you for sharing a great video .

[@Mark-nm6zw]

Greetings from Durban mate! Loving your channel. Rod, could you give a run down of how you fish the rig - do you only target surface couta (King mackerel) or do you downrig? Maybe think about making a short clip on your tactics somewhere in the to-do list for when the next cyclone hits ;)

[@rokkitkit]

Hey Mark, sure Ill try to add some tips in in future vids. I target the surface most of the time but also stop and let the bait sink through the water colour regularly and then take off fast. You could also use a downrigger.

[@punkit8804]

Hi mate Thanks for the video You didn't say what size the 3x strong treble hook are you using?

[@pakde8002]

Just guessing but it looks like a 2/0 but might even be a 1/0 as he said he likes to keep it light as possible and streamlined.

[@darcywockner2919]

hi rod, love the video, just getting into offshore palagics but with a boat. Could you please make a video with the full rod setup, line leader etc that you would recommend. Thanks

[@rokkitkit]

Ill look into it for sure 👍

[@jeremiahthomas2669]

@rokkit kit what size wait on 5/0 hook

[@aristonmelencion6700]

Hi mate, is your pilchard salted or fresh, can I use yellowtail instead?

[@user-uo4sw6yq3e]

Very cool"⁦👍🏻⁩💯

[@Ryan-pv3kb]

I went fishing yesterday did this and got 8 macs with this There was 5 people so it was legal they were 20 30 pounds

[@michaeltowler2632]

Is that a frozen pilchard? I'm in Townsville and I know it's starting to get colder but how do you stop the pilchard getting soft and disintergating? I just tried putting that cut into the lead. I just couldn't do it.. I mean get the cut deep enough I had a very thin wide chisel, and it was well clamped in the vice.

[@richardk1037]

Where'd you get that storage box drawer shelf thing at 0:07 Rod? After something just like it

[@rokkitkit]

Hey mate, I got it from Kmart :) big spender!

[@Aflatheadmontage]

hey mate if u bend ur wire tag up and down the leader after doing the barrels the wire will break off flush on the barrel meaning no spikes in ya fingers :)

[@stonewould3916]

Great instructional vid mate. Can I ask, if you were using a downrigger do you still need to weighted holding hook? I.e. does the lead on that holding hook give it that ribbon swimming motion? Cheers mate. Love your vids.

[@rokkitkit]

the weight helps stop t from spinning but does little to help get it down... So id say keep iron the down rigger with weight 👍

[@aarynj]

I'm so happy you did this video. I've been trying a variety of chin weight methods late but I never thought to press the weight onto the hook. Is it one of your innovations or did you pick the idea up from elsewhere? loving your channel, keep the good stuff coming👍

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks mate, hope you get your baits swimming nicely. I can't take credit for the idea! It is quite a popular rig in both Australia and South Africa for mackerel. I came across it on a forum when I was just starting and toyed around with it and get it to a point that I like. Cheers Rod

[@tonylampa2363]

thank you... rokkit!....

[@ARK1phil]

Mate why is the download function blocked... I only have time to watch videos offline... Anyway good stuff keep it up.. Phil, West Africa...

[@owengray5778]

Not enough of this info out there- well filmed as always too!

[@rokkitkit]

Thanks Owen, yea I agree, will slowly keep adding to the "how to" style vids playlist from here on.

[@ARK1phil]

Hello nice video, why is the video download function blocked?

[@robertcarey9121]

Thanks for instruction and no need to worry about your finger nails and they are useful for me. But my wife hates me for that lol!

[@rokkitkit]

Cheers mate, yea the day you cut them is the day you need to pick up a pin lying flat on the ground :)

[@CptGingerbeardKayakFishing]

Howsit Rod You say you want it flappin like a ribbon right? Have you tried squeezing the meat on tail section? Heard that gets meat off the bone and gives more movement. Or have you tried cuttig back section vertically in line with spine? Last one here what weight of sinker you use bud? 1oz enough? Thanks bud

[@rokkitkit]

Hey mate, yes I do give the tail section a good waggle and have also tried breaking the bones and meat from the back but always worry Ill tear the flesh... I use different weights depending not eh size of the bait but pilchards id go with around 1oz, I like to use as little weight as i can.

[@CptGingerbeardKayakFishing]

RoKKiT KiT aaaaah thanks bud!! Really appreciate it! Saw last night in one of your older videos you caught a yellowtail kingie! Nice Rod and keep up the good stuff dude!! Really appreciate the help!

[@fishyboney]

Whats the heaviest fish you caught on the 44lb wire??

[@northernriversboys5478]

What time of the year do the mackerel run

[@everythingisfine5334]

Love your vids as always mate, and this is super instructive. I fish down in NSW and have been wondering about dead-rigging for Kings. Do you think a variation of this (mostly without wire trace) would work for them, if I get the bait a bit further down on a poor mans down-rigger?

[@rokkitkit]

Yea I also wonder how trolling dead baits would work down there. I only started using this kind of rig when I moved up here. Could be a good option when the livies are hard to come by... Let me know if you do it!

[@everythingisfine5334]

Thanks for the reply. Kings etc. will take my trolled SPs so reckon this could up the hook ups... Will give it a go and let everyone know!

[@utopia9358]

Hi mate. Great vid! Thanks! I would like to know are all your baits un gutted? I would think so, but just making sure. Thanks

[@rokkitkit]

Yep the pilchards are a bit too sort to gut and have them not fall apart.

[@utopia9358]

@@rokkitkit thanks mate. Would you recommend swoping the front hook for a circle hook?

[@jordzeast6853]

Oh yeah yeah

[@RacunAtuBanaa]

Nice👍👍👍👍

[@Felixkoifish]

Hi Master , May I know how do you cut your lead ? Thanks

[@michaelz9805]

If it's a live bait do u just just the treble hook freely hang or still stick it into the live bait

[@rokkitkit]

I pin the stinger in the back but only just under the skin.

[@andrewv8597]

Thanks for the vid. Any chance you can send a link for the weights ? All I can find in the states are spilt shot weight and I don't think that would be heavy enough? Thanks, I enjoy your vids!

[@rokkitkit]

I just use any small to medium bean sinkers, from about 2cm to 4cm then cut them in half with a hacksaw or old chisel. I use heavier weights for bigger baits but there is no particular brand.

[@jacksonherald3405]

RoKKiT KiT what weight do you use mate

[@insaf_]

thanks bro.

[@rokkitkit]

No problems, sorry it took so long to get started on these.

[@insaf_]

RoKKiT KiT that's ok. I'm just glad it's started and this is really great. looking forward to more. maybe wahoo in the near future?

[@andrewkemilau]

Going out on the reef soon, does this rig better than using gang hooks for floating pillies for mackerel?

[@rokkitkit]

This os more of a trolling rig but I guess you could float them with it too. Gangs may be better id say

[@rrdeesantoloyo]

Mate..your wire leader is it brown colour that u always use for mackie?? Or silver witch better??

[@rokkitkit]

Yep it’s brown single strand. You can also get silver but I like it brown to avoid the mackerel biting it instead of the hooks

[@arieksk]

Excellent mate..do you take people out on the lession?.. I have new 6m boat and new to the area. if so how much do you charge for the morning fishing trip?

[@rokkitkit]

Have not done any chartering or lessons as such... Im usually happy for people to tag along if they are keen enough to meet down at the launch spots. I would be happy to fish from a boat too I guess if you keen.

[@arieksk]

RoKKiT KiT definitely.. I am happy new pay for bait and fuel, boat.. I am in canal property in Hope Island, and boat is attached to my pontoon.. if you are willing to come to my home and go out definitely. please email me if you are interested. I will reply with my number.. [e-mail]

[@raimyabdul1395]

Mate, would this setup work for live bait? What sort rig would you recommend for live bait for mackies?

[@rokkitkit]

You can use this for livies too, i use this and one with no sinker.

[@stewartcoote8106]

Hello mate.. Are these rigs good for long tail tuna? Lots around at the moment.. Thanks love your videos bro.

[@rokkitkit]

I have caught longtails on them but I think you would do better with a non wire rig... cant beat a small white plastic for tuna!

[@josephrosenberg8098]

How do you go trolling them unwaited? Havnt got access to things like vices or the set up to do molds. Any tips???can you use things like sold plastic jig heads?

[@rokkitkit]

Unweighted can be tricky to stop them spinning. I bash the bean sinkers apart with and old chisel and a mallet as it’s quicker then sawing👍

[@josephrosenberg8098]

RoKKiT KiT yehh cool man!thanks Heep's. What size lead to you recommend? Sorry all new to this kayak fishing. Loving every second of it tho!your vids are wicked!! Keep it up