Bonita - Half/full/chunk

[Snook hunter]

I just picked up a 12lb Bonita for shark bait. I never had such a large bait, so do I put the whole bait out with a stinger or a half or even a small chunk for sharks on a 9/0? What do you think will provide the best result? Thanks

[permitchaser]

two pieces two baits very good bait

[fixed80]

you should fillet both sides of the bonita. save the head for later when you go out again.

[PhishingPhanatic]

On a 9/0 I'd cut that bait in half. Bigger reel I'd put it out whole (but cut the tail off to get more scent). I don't like to fillet, they wash out too quickly.

[Alex07]

Depends on what you're going for and also what rig you're using. If you're using a single hook just use chunk, tail or the head, if you use 2 hooks then half.

[Snook hunter]

I picked up another bonita and cut it up in palm size chunks for my spinning rod. Casting should be no problem with 4oz to 6oz pyramid. I'm going to cut the other one in half and use 2 hooks for the 9/0. Thanks for the info.

[Snook hunter]

So I soaked a half Bonita and cut the rest up in smaller pieces. I deployed the largest piece at 250 yards, followed by 200, 150, and 100 yards. We got a hit on the 100 after 3hrs and and no action on the other pieces. Unfortunately, the main line snapped after about 5 min.of action. My buddy was worried about being spooled so he lock down the drag and the next explosive run snapped the line. He also landed a 10 to 15# ray on a small piece of Bonita that was casted out just minutes latter. The ray is now in the freezer!

Next question - How do you prepare a ray for shark bait?

[Alex07]

So I soaked a half Bonita and cut the rest up in smaller pieces. I deployed the largest piece at 250 yards, followed by 200, 150, and 100 yards. We got a hit on the 100 after 3hrs and and no action on the other pieces. Unfortunately, the main line snapped after about 5 min.of action. My buddy was worried about being spooled so he lock down the drag and the next explosive run snapped the line. He also landed a 10 to 15# ray on a small piece of Bonita that was casted out just minutes latter. The ray is now in the freezer!

Next question - How do you prepare a ray for shark bait?

You can cut it in half and use 2 hooks. 1 on the front and another on the back

[bolo]

So I soaked a half Bonita and cut the rest up in smaller pieces. I deployed the largest piece at 250 yards, followed by 200, 150, and 100 yards. We got a hit on the 100 after 3hrs and and no action on the other pieces. Unfortunately, the main line snapped after about 5 min.of action. My buddy was worried about being spooled so he lock down the drag and the next explosive run snapped the line. He also landed a 10 to 15# ray on a small piece of Bonita that was casted out just minutes latter. The ray is now in the freezer!

Next question - How do you prepare a ray for shark bait?

If you plan to fish the sting ray whole I would recommend making a 2 hook Y rig. Place each hook thru the stingray's wings. If the ray is large you can cut the wings off and use it like you did with the Bonito. Stinger hooks are a must if the bait is larger than a few bites. Big sharks will eat it whole where as the smaller sharks will mouth it or munch on it and takes longer for them to eat. Make sure the bait is thaw out before you float it out.