Ruqayyah Snyder
Slide baiting is a fishing technique that allows anglers to cast their bait further out into the water than would otherwise be possible. This method has become increasingly popular in Australia, particularly among those targeting large game from beaches, rocks, jetties, and estuary walls. The basic idea is that you cast out your sinkered line first, and then attach your baited slide rig (called a slide) to your mainline. This article will outline the steps and equipment required to master this technique and catch some spectacular fish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technique | Slide baiting |
| Target | Large game from beaches and rocks |
| Bait | Large, live |
| Sinker | Grapnel (anchor sinker) |
| Rod | 12-15 feet, capable of casting 6-10oz weights |
| Reel | 6000 size or larger, spooled with at least 300m of mono or braid |
| Line | Monofilament is preferred for its stretch and weight |
| Rig | Non-return variety |
| Leader | 10m of 1mm mono or Rhino braid |
| Slide | Constructed of at least 1.6mm 316 stainless spring steel with four turns in the coil |
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What You'll Learn
Slide baiting: a method to deploy large bait
Slide baiting is a fishing method that allows anglers to deploy large bait further out into the water than is possible with a traditional cast. This technique is particularly useful when fishing from beaches, rocks, jetties, or estuary walls. The key advantage of slide baiting is that only the sinker is cast, not the bait, which allows the bait to be fished out at a greater distance and keeps the bait healthier as it is not subjected to the forces of casting or plummeting into the water.
To set up a slide bait rig, you will need a rod capable of casting 6-10oz weights with enough backbone to apply the drag pressure of your reel and assist with working the bait out to the strike zone. The rod should also be long enough to clear the shore break. For the reel, you will need a minimum of 20lb of drag and 500m of line, although more line is preferable. A common setup is 500m of 50lb braid backing and 200m of 0.5-0.55mm high-abrasion mono. Mono line is essential for sliding as braid is too direct, although some anglers may use braid for increased capacity and mono for the final 100-150m that the rig slides on. Additionally, a 10m mono leader can assist in handling the fish and preventing sharks and rays from cutting the leader.
Once your slide bait rig is set up, you can begin the slide baiting process. First, cast your sinkered line out and attach your baited slide rig to your mainline. The sinker commonly used is a grapnel, also known as an anchor sinker, which has forward-facing wire arms to hold it in place in the sand or debris on the bottom. After attaching the slide rig, the bait will slide down the taut mainline towards the sinker due to gravity and tension. By using wave action and adjusting the angle of the line, you can coax the bait to gradually make its way out to the sinker, covering a broad area of water.
Slide baiting is a popular technique in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and it has proven effective in catching large game such as Spanish mackerel, kingfish, snapper, and big bream. With the right setup and technique, slide baiting can greatly increase the distance at which large bait can be fished, making it a valuable tool for anglers targeting large game from beaches and rocks.
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The right setup for slide baiting
Slide baiting is a fishing technique that allows anglers to cast their lines further out into the water than would otherwise be possible. It is particularly useful for anglers targeting large game from beaches and rocks. The setup for slide baiting involves a few key components:
- Rod: A rod used for slide baiting should be capable of casting 6-10oz weights and have enough backbone to apply the drag pressure of the reel. The rod length is also important, as it needs to be long enough to clear the shore break. For slide baiting, a 12–15 foot surf or rock rod is typically recommended.
- Reel: The reel should hold a minimum of 500m of line, with a minimum drag of 20lb. A common setup is to use 500m of 50lb braid backing and 200m of 0.5-0.55mm high-abrasion mono. Monofilament line is preferred for its stretch and weight, which helps the slide move smoothly.
- Mainline: The mainline is the main fishing line that is cast out first. It should be made of monofilament or braid, with monofilament providing a smoother transition for the slide. The mainline is attached to the slide rig, which holds the bait.
- Slide Rig: The slide rig is a metal clip that attaches to the mainline and holds the baited trace. It is important that the slide rig is constructed of sturdy material, such as 316 stainless spring steel, with at least four turns in the coil. A bite trace of 200lb carbon-coated wire is attached to the slide.
- Sinker: The sinker is cast out with the mainline and helps to anchor the bait in the water. A grapnel sinker, also known as an anchor sinker, is commonly used for slide baiting. It has forward-facing wire arms that help it to bed down and hold into the sand or debris on the bottom. The size of the sinker will depend on the size of the bait and sea conditions.
With the right setup, slide baiting can be a very effective technique for targeting large game fish from beaches and rocks.
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How to attach the slide bait rig
Slide baiting is a popular technique for anglers targeting large game from beaches and rocks. It allows you to deploy a large bait further from the shore than previously possible. The technique involves casting out your sinkered line first and then attaching your baited slide rig to your mainline.
To attach the slide bait rig, start by setting up your slide bait rig with the bait. Once your slide bait rig is ready with the bait, attach it to the taut mainline and put it in the water. The wave action and decline of the line angle will then coax it to gradually make its way out to the sinker. This approach allows you to cover a broad area of water and deploy a large bait.
When slide baiting off the beach, cast the slide grapnel and wind up the slack. Then, lower the mainline and attach the slide with the bait. Bring the rod upright and let it slide until it hits the shore break. Work your rod backward and forward in quick, short strokes, pausing when a wave hits the slide. Continue until the slide disappears underwater, then switch to longer strokes. Do this for about 10 minutes or 100 long strokes.
The leader should be attached to the swivel on the stopper ring. The reason for this is that the slide will 'sit' on the swivel instead of directly on the knot when fighting the fish. Attach about a 60cm length of 20lb mono from the stopper ring to the grapnel sinker. The breaking strain of the sinker line should be about half of your mainline to allow it to break when you hook up. The sinker needs to be heavy enough to anchor the bait in the conditions you are fishing. The size of the bait and sea conditions will determine the size you use.
Most slide bait rigs are non-return, meaning they are shaped so that a bait can only go down the line. Monofilament gives the slide bait rig a smoother transition down the line, so many anglers use mono on their reels.
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Casting the sinker and using the current
When casting the sinker, it is important to note that you don't cast the bait, only the sinker. This allows you to deploy a large bait further from the shore than previously possible. After casting the sinker, attach the slide bait rig with the bait attached and float it out using the current or a gentle lifting of the rod tip.
The sinker weight should be matched to the current. If it is too light, the bait will drift too much, and if it is too heavy, the fish will feel resistance. The sinker should be cast out with a taut mainline, and the wave action and decline of the line angle will coax the rig to gradually make its way out to the sinker. This approach allows you to cover a broad area of water and deploy a large bait out as far as you can cast the sinker.
To get the sinker to bed into the sand, you need to do small lifts with the rod tip without retrieving the line, tightening and relaxing the line. A solid strike of the rod will lift the sinker from the sand when you want to wind in.
Slide bait rigs are made with hi-tensile wire ranging from 1.2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. Anglers fishing the surf and rocks commonly use 1.6mm and 1.8mm rigs, and for larger sharks, 2.0mm and 2.2mm rigs are recommended. The smaller rigs are used for lighter lines or when the target species is not likely to be large.
Specific rods are made for slide bait fishing, with tapers designed to increase casting distances with large sinkers. Their length increases the angle in relation to the water, aiding in getting baits out more efficiently.
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The best rods and reels for slide baiting
Slide baiting is a technique that allows anglers to deploy large bait further from the shore. This technique involves casting only the sinker and not the bait, which increases the casting distance. The most popular sinker used for this purpose is a grapnel, also known as an anchor sinker, which has forward-facing wire arms to hold it in place.
When it comes to the best rods and reels for slide baiting, there are a few options to consider. Many hardcore anglers prefer using overhead reels for this type of fishing, but large spinning reels and Alveys can also get the job done. If you're looking for increased casting distance with large sinkers, consider using a rod specifically designed for slide baiting, with a taper that increases the angle in relation to the water.
In terms of line type, monofilament is reputed to give the slide bait rig a smoother transition down the line, so some anglers choose to solely use mono on their reels. However, for increased capacity, others predominantly load their reels with braid and use mono only for the final 100-150 meters that the rig slides on.
For those seeking a spinning reel, the Penn Fierce III is a popular option, although it lacks a clicker. The Piscifun Carnivore X is another economical choice, featuring a switch on the bottom that engages a preliminary drag, allowing the spool to semi-free spool after casting. Okuma Avenger reels also offer a "bait feeder" feature, although the clicking noise is not very loud. For a cheaper alternative, Chinese knockoffs of popular reels can be purchased on Amazon or Aliexpress.
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Frequently asked questions
Slide baiting is a fishing method that allows you to cast your bait further out into the water than a traditional cast, without ever having to throw the bait itself.
You need a rod capable of casting 6-10oz weights with enough backbone to apply the drag pressure of your reel. You also need a reel that can hold a minimum of 500m of line and a minimum of 20lb of drag.
Cast out your sinkered line first, then attach your baited slide rig (called a "slide") to your mainline. Gravity and tension will do the rest. Your bait will slide down the tight line all the way to the sinker.
Slide baiting allows you to deploy a large bait further from shore than previously possible. Casting only the sinker and not the weight of the bait will increase the distance out that the bait can be fished.
