REVISED QUESTION (?)
 

If you were going after bluefish, would you use a balloon as a bobber and monofiliment line (40 or 50 lb test) without any leader tied tied directly to a treble hook that has a live mackerel on it?

Would this set up be better for bluefish or striped bass?

Throw eels at them they love em!! I would not go to all that trouble for a bluefish, and if I was livelining it would be for bass and if a blue hit my live bait I would hang my head and cry :crying:

Bluefish= Top water pencil popper-high speed :lasso:
crush da barbs

ballons
 

striped bass rig only, with chunks.eel,s have a tendency to knot up if they are alive. slow eddie



put them back alive

Try for some other species and you will most likely catch blues. :rollem:

#$%^&*^&* live line a M-80 :laugha:

fishbomb
 

Might as well stick this here, too...
 

In the past, I've used (with some help and advice) 15/17 pound test with about 4 feet of 30 pound test mono leader for blues. But this wasn't with live bait. I've heard fluorocarbon leader is absolutely horrid to knot, so I wouldn't suggest it. You'd prolly want to use the lowest test line you can get away with. You can fit more on your reel, it's easier to knot, and you can feel the hits way more easily. I've also heard of a good rig for livelining bait -- 2 hooks attached somehow to a central location -- one to put thru the mouth, and another to slide thru the dorsal fin. Never seen the thing, though, so I couldn't tell you exactly what to look for. I know the blues always snag the butt end of whatever I'm fishing with, so having a hook further back may keep you from reeling in mackerel heads all the time. I have a buddy that uses live bait -- next time I see him, I'll ask what he uses and get back to ya. Good luck! :alien:

:rotf3: :rotf2:

Flouro is a little tricky to tie but with a good pair of fine needle-nose pliers if need be does the trick. I've become a fan of flouro this year. Braided, now thats another story. Also using a treble hook unless you plan on keeping your dinner is probably not a good idea and eels will not bunch up if you break their tail.