LY, Shallows, King Rig questions..

I'm confused on what an "LY" is. Is it a pilchard? If not what is the "technical term" so to speak.

When most of you fish the "shallows" is that considered any area other than the Octi or what particular area
is it...by the fish cleaning areas? Are most of the fish in the shallows (flounder, specks, and ?) mostly caught on live minnows and live shrimp?

Last question on leaders...I promise... Is the standard or length of the treble hook leader approx 18" or should
it be longer. Last year I bought some from the pier house and believe they were that length. I thought they also used very
small hooks ( I thought)...isn't the standard about size 4 or 6?

Thanks for your help.

LY is a scaled sardine.

Shallows is the Bathrooms north (generally)

Leaders: I make mine about 8-10" long, I use single strand and a 4x #4 hook.

Oh, and :In the shallows, generally, specs, slot reds, whiting, small black drum, flounder, etc...

... and hardheads, don't fergit the hardheads. LOL

Oh and sharks. Don't fergit the sharks! ;-)

Add bluefish and ladyfish to the inshore mix as well.

Click on the Scaled Sardine button in the attached link:
Florida Saltwater Fishing Offshore in St. Petersburg-Tampa

Flounder, specs and slot reds are mostly caught with the live bait you referenced. Finger mullet and smaller LY’s are also used. A variety of other fish species (pompano, whiting, croaker, black drum, white trout, etc.) can be caught on dead shrimp and cut bait. Some artificial baits are also used, especially for spanish mackerel.
You can do a “leader” search on this forum and get a lot of king rig information, such as:
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...ngs-reds-3969/

Me, I favor #2 treble hooks because that's what John G told me to use and I doubt if anybody on this forum has caught more kings than him. Actually, I do keep some leaders rigged with #4 and even #6 trebles to match the size of the LYs available. I don't like to weigh my live bait down with a hook that turns them into a dead (acting) bait. A smallish LY is a threat for big Spanish and kings both with a smaller treble that lets them swim actively.

---And 18 inches is about right for the leader and I use 30# braided wire leader, again because John said so, except when I use lighter leader with smaller hooks. You can find a number of different opinions on hooks and leaders---makes life interesting, but I figure these oldtimers have already done most of the research for me so I don't need to repeat it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haywire

---And 18 inches is about right for the leader and I use 30# braided wire leader, again because John said so, except when I use lighter leader with smaller hooks. You can find a number of different opinions on hooks and leaders---makes life interesting, but I figure these oldtimers have already done most of the research for me so I don't need to repeat it.

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Haywire...what is your basis for stranded versus single strand? Just personal preference? I can actually see that stranded would probably allow the bait swim a little more freely. I actually caught that king today on stranded, but have been using single strand. I like the strand because I can essentially build a rig with no tools.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barnburnerAU

Haywire...what is your basis for stranded versus single strand? Just personal preference? I can actually see that stranded would probably allow the bait swim a little more freely. I actually caught that king today on stranded, but have been using single strand. I like the strand because I can essentially build a rig with no tools.

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When finishimg your haywire for single strand of you don't want to use pliers or have a jagged piece of wire, bend the tag end down toward the hook then pull it back towards your swivel. Do that a few times and it will break off clean with almost no extra to cut your self on.

Thank you all very much. Very helpful...."leen" that website was great for a northerner like me.

Barnburner---Braided wire does not kink like single strand, and requires only a simple knot instead of a haywire twist and barrel wrap---faster.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haywire

Barnburner---Braided wire does not kink like single strand, and requires only a simple knot instead of a haywire twist and barrel wrap---faster.

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A simple twist, huh? I'll have to look into this. I assumed braided required crimps. Thanks for the insight!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barnburnerAU

A simple twist, huh? I'll have to look into this. I assumed braided required crimps. Thanks for the insight!

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The multi-strand wires only require a simple overhand or figure eight knot, snip the tag end and you're done!

The "LY" are a great bait for Spanish and King mackerel. They can be caught with a sabiki rig or a ribbon net rig next to the pilings of the pier. A very economical way to have access to fresh live bait.

I snobble a #1 or a #2 treble hook and under a cork I fish a #2 and I use a 8-10" twist wire for the leader, for Spanish I use a #4 with a 50lb 8" leader, now these are the words of my teachers and my own short experience