stinger hook rigging

[jaedwards797]

I'am new to saltwater fishing. As I have moved from Northern Indiana, I have been fishing from a pier
in the Indian River using mullet on the bottom, when I get a run I set the hook, all I get is a mullet
bite half into. I hook the mullet through the lips. Can you tell me how I can rig a stinger hook
to help this problem?
Thank You

[jhdog]

Live Bait s against my religion. Before you go to a stinger rig try a 2/0 Owner Circle hook. If the bait is cut in half you may be dealing with Blues or small Sharks, both of them are in the river in pretty good numbers. If you are running Mullet on the bottom, your next problem will be Catfish. Try the bait 18 inches under a cork, and let it swim free.

[SkinnyWaters]

Stinger rigs are for kingfish. If you're fishing the Indian River, you'll likely have to release most of what you're catching. And you won't be catching any kings. Stinger rigs are not conducive to releasing fish, especially with two or three treble hooks.

Mullet and shrimp are good for the Indian River (which is really a lagoon, so I'll call it the IRL). Use smaller mullet called finger mullet, that should cut down on cut offs. And like the poster said above me, use a circle hook with the mullet or shrimp. Then, don't set the hook when your line takes off. The fish will hook itself.