Pros & Cons of pin rigs?

[jfish]

Over the years I have learned many ways to rig a ballyhoo and read a lot of post on "How To." I have done the rubber band method, the springs, copper wire, monel and found them all to have good and bad points. When it comes to tuna fish fishing what are the pros or cons to using a pin style rig. I have used monel which allows for doing away with the pin by pushing the wire up through the head but it seems to take more time and handling of the bait. Are there really any bad reason for using a pin or spike rig? It seems the baits are wrapped just as tight either way and boy does the pin make it easy. Thanks JIM

[GAW]

On a naked I don't use a pin, on a witch I do-- just cause that's the way I do it. Rigged a naked many a year on a pin, so I guess it's all a matter of what you like. I don't really think there is a major diff. on a traditional rigged hoo. Note, you can still have the advantage of keeping the rig tight on a pin w/ monel and going thru the eyes on a pin. The non pin method may give me a little more wiggle room when I don't place the hook just perfect, but takes a little longer to rig.
I'm so bored with this weather I think I'll put a pack in the sink and do some practicing while watching the Blue Collar Channel tonight-- funny Ship.

[E.G.]

I have been watching these rigging posts, and Becky’s “favorite baits” post with great interest, as I am a relative novice at rigging because I am always driving the boat. I am proficient at the “pin and rubber band rig” but I bend the pin back just incase Mr. White comes trick or treating in my spread. Is he that particular? I have had no problems with baits being pulled off or falling off because of the bent pin. Is this a bad way to rig? We do this on all Hoos with skirt or without.

Sorry for hi-jacking your post Jfish.

[Tunablitz]

I never bend my pins, I just make them shorter. The pin is supposed to keep the tension on the head of the hoo instead of on the stomache cavity thus preventing premature stretching of the stomache and keeping your hoo from spinning and "frapping" in a un-fishlike manner.
I do agree on white marlin being picky on the flatline bites if you have an overly lengthy pin as well as on tuna.

[Skipjack/VA]

Just snip the pin as short as you can go - after wrapping with wire or rubberband. Fish eat prickly stuff all the time, I dont think the pin effects them and its easier to rig a bait quickly.

[TerpHeels]

It's got a 1/8" diameter piece of cold sharpened steel hanging out of its gut, does anyone really think that little pin matters? Guess I'm a pin man! [grin]

[cape_fisherman]

You see the no-pin rig mostly for billfish. Marlin & sails like to eat their pray head first. The unnatural feeling pin will sometimes cause them to drop the bait before the hook makes it home (especially smaller bills like sails & whites). These type rigs are very popular on the Atlatic coast of Florida during the winter. Those guys seem to know a thing or two about catching sails.

Tunas are more of a run & gun type feeder. I've never had a problem catching them with a pin rig. They don't exactly 'mouth' the bait like a bill fish does.

I'm a pin/rubber band fisherman myself. If specifically targeting whites & sails I 'might' do a no-pin rig...morso than not I'll do a no-pin split bill for those buggers.

Jay

[HIT N RUN]

Speed is most important when your # comes up. Use pin for tuna.

[jfish]

Kinda figured Tunas were not so picky and they are used to bones and spines on bait fish anyway. Terps point aboiut the hook sticking out of the belly is right on target. Thanks for the opinions I think I will add pins back to some of my rigs, it sure makes for quicker easier bait rigging. Thanks again JIM

[cape_fisherman]

I bet you could make a big 'ol pin rig for a spanish mac or for a mullet. That'd be a heck of a lot quicker to rig. LOL

Jay