(Originally published July/August 2017)
By Lee Green
Split-bill ballyhoo have been held by many as a secret way of rigging a ballyhoo to troll. Professional teams use these baits as an added advantage in sport and tournament fishing but the truth is that they are simple to rig and anyone can easily learn how to do it properly. A few tricks is all it takes and the following is a step-by-step guide to rigging a perfect split-billed ballyhoo.
Start with the essentials:
Crimps — I prefer short crimps
Egg Sinkers —1/4- ounce to 3/4-ounce, depending on the bait size (small ballyhoo, 1/4-ounce; medium ballyhoo, 1/2-ounce; select ballyhoo, 1/2- to 3/4-ounce, and horse, 3/4-ounce)
Monofilament or fluorocarbon — appropriate to what you are trying to catch-
Hooks — Open or Tuna Bend
Crimper
Copper or stainless wire, 12 inches
Excellent-quality ballyhoo
1. Make the rig. Crimp the hook with a tight loop to the eye and insert the rigging wire into the crimp facing toward the open end of the leader. Slide the sinker on the line above the crimp, let it stay free
2. Prep the ballyhoo by removing the eyes, innards, and breaking the spine. Then break the bill about half way down and peel back the membrane on the bottom side.
