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Build your downrigger livebait setup
Six parts, from the weight to the reel. Each tile shows what is in stock and the price it starts at.
Getting the bait down
Downrigger weights
Keeled ball 3 to 10lb · pancake 10 to 13lb
The keeled ball tracks straight and stable; the pancake weight has a large stainless keel.
Letting go on the strike
Release clips
Adjustable tension · 18 to 48in leaders
Your line sits in the clip at the weight and releases clean the moment a fish strikes.
Holding a live bait
Livebait and circle hooks
4/0 to 16/0 in stock
Heavy livebait hooks for mackerel and koheru, and circle hooks that promote jaw hook-ups.
Taking the hits
Leader
Nylon shock leader 12lb to 450lb
Abrasion-resistant nylon leaders and ball-bearing swivels rated from 280lb.
Fighting the fish
Livebait rods
Overhead and spin
Short, strong boat rods for bait work and turning powerful fish.
Cranking power
Lever drag reels
2-speed Talica · 20kg drag on the 16IIA
Shimano Talica 2-speed lever drags, built for livebaiting kingfish.
01 · The downrigger
Scotty downriggers
Manual and electricManual and electric Scotty downriggers, from the clamp-on Laketroller to the Depthpower and High-Performance electrics. The Scotty downrigger guide compares every model side by side: retrieve speed, boom length, weight rating and mounting.
- The mission
- Get the bait down to the kingfish and hold it there
- Best for
- ManualElectricSmall boats to sportfishers
Technical decoder
The setup in numbers
What each part does, and the sizes we stock.
Weight
Keeled ball weights from 3 to 10lb and pancake weights at 10 and 13lb take the bait down to the fish.
Depth
The downrigger counter tracks depth, so you hold the bait exactly where the fish are feeding.
Release
Set the hold by placing the line deeper or shallower in the jaws; the Kingpin clips use a tension dial.
Release leader
The leader on the clip separates the weight from your line to prevent tangles on the way down.
Hook
Hayabusa Heavy Live Bait Hooks to 8/0 and Magnum Circle Hooks to 10/0 for kingfish-sized baits.
Drag
The Talica 16IIA puts 20kg of lever drag in a compact 2-speed overhead.
Technique
How to fish it
Five steps, from the bait grounds to the boat.
Catch the bait
Fill the livebait tank with a sabiki before you head for the kingfish grounds. Mackerel and koheru are the classic baits.
Rig the bait
Hook the bait on a livebait or circle hook through the leader, so it swims naturally behind the weight.
Clip in and drop
Clip your line into the release at the weight, then lower the weight to the depth the fish are showing, using the counter.
Set the tension
Tight enough to hold the bait at trolling speed, light enough to let go on the strike. More line in the jaws holds harder.
Hook up and wind
When the clip releases, wind tight and fight the fish on your own line while the weight comes up. Kingfish run for the reef, so keep the drag firm.
Watch
Watch it done
Adam Clancey livebaits kingfish on the downrigger, then his seminar on setup, clips, depth and the fight.
02 · The release
Release clips
Let go on the strikeThe Scotty 1042 Snapper Line Release is made for live-baiting kingfish in coastal waters: its cannonball snap clips to the weight and the 18in leader keeps your line clear of it. The 1170 Power Grip Plus is the release that comes with every Scotty downrigger, and the Kingpin clips add a tension dial; the Hair Trigger version is the most sensitive.
- The mission
- Hold the bait at depth, then release clean the moment a fish strikes.
- Best for
- Live-baiting kingfishAdjustable tensionScotty
03 · The weight
Downrigger weights
Down to the fishThe keeled ball weight tracks straight and stable, with wired top and side mounts for quick attachment. The pancake weight tracks smoothly behind a large stainless keel. Weights can vary by up to 10%.
- The mission
- Get the bait to the depth the kingfish are holding, and keep it there.
- Best for
- Ball 3 to 10lbPancake 10 to 13lb
04 · The mount
Bases and mounts
Fixed to the boatThe swivel bases, gimbal, rail and stanchion mounts, brackets, risers and pedestals that fix a Scotty downrigger to your boat, with the rod holders that sit alongside it.
- The mission
- A solid, swivelling platform for the downrigger
- Best for
- Swivel basesGimbal and rail mountsRisers
05 · The hook
Livebait and circle hooks
Hold the bait, hook the fishThe Hayabusa Heavy Live Bait Hook suits mackerel, koheru and other live baits, forged to hold its shape under load. Circle hooks such as the Hayabusa Magnum Circle and Vanfook Circle Sniper slide into the corner of the jaw and reduce deep hooking; the Sabre 395S is all stainless and proven on kingfish.
- The mission
- A hook strong enough for a big kingfish that leaves the bait swimming.
- Best for
- LivebaitCircle hooksKingfish
Shop livebait and circle hooks
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06 · The leader
Leader and swivels
Built for abrasionNylon shock leaders built for powerful offshore fish: Varivas Ocean Record has a Super Tough coating for abrasion resistance, and Varivas Big Game Leader SMP resists sudden breaks against teeth and rough structure. Centro ball-bearing swivels with welded rings stop line twist, rated from 280lb.
- The mission
- Survive the reef, the teeth and the first run.
- Best for
- Shock leaderAbrasionBall-bearing swivels
Shop leader and swivels
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- SpecialSpecial
12lb - 200lb | 18 Sizes
In stockFrom$1890$2100Unit price /Unavailable -
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07 · The rod
Livebait rods
Short and strongOur kingfish livebait rods, overhead and spin. The Samurai Osprey 6ft 30 to 60lb is built for bait work and turning powerful fish, and the Atomic Arrowz Offshore OH is rated for 25 to 60lb line.
- The mission
- Lift a big kingfish off the reef from a boat.
- Best for
- OverheadSpin25 to 60lb
08 · The reel
Lever drag reels
Cranking powerThe Shimano Talica 2-speed lever drags are built for livebaiting kingfish: a rigid Hagane body, Infinity Drive and 20kg of drag on the 16IIA. The Twin Power SW 10000PG is the spinning option, a power-gear reel made for live baiting big kingfish.
- The mission
- Stop a kingfish heading for the reef.
- Best for
- Lever drag2-speedPower gear spin
Shop lever drag reels
See more
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20kg Drag | 107cm Per Turn | 2-Speed Lever Drag
In stock$74000Unit price /Unavailable 
22.5kg Drag | 121cm Per Turn | 2-Speed Lever Drag
In stock$95900Unit price /Unavailable-
22.5kg Drag | 121cm Per Turn | 2 Speed Lever Drag
In stock$92600Unit price /Unavailable 
25kg Drag | 4.9 Gear Ratio | 102cm Per Turn
In stock$78800Unit price /Unavailable
09 · The bait
Catch the bait
Fill the tank firstHayabusa sabikis are made to fill the livebait tank fast. The EX120 Gold Flasher adds flash for deeper or low-light water; see the sabiki guide for which colour for which water.
- The mission
- Live mackerel and koheru in the tank before you go to the grounds.
- Best for
- Sabiki rigsLivebaitHayabusa
Shop catch the bait
See more- best seller
- SpecialSpecial
- SpecialSpecial
- Best seller
Related guides
Keep reading
Boat gear
Scotty downrigger guide
Laketroller, Depthmaster, Strongarm, Depthpower and High-Performance tiers matched to your boat, steel versus braid, and the rigging hardware.
Terminal tackle
Topwater terminal guide
Rings, hooks, swivels and leaders for topwater kingfish and tuna: how each link fails, what to run, and how to rig and check it.
Sabikis
Hayabusa sabiki guide
Which colour for which water, how to read the Japanese hook sizes, and live prices and stock on every EX rig.
Jigging
Kingfish jigging guide
Mechanical jigging for kingfish: the knife jigs, short powerful rods, overhead and spin reels by budget, assist hooks, braid and the lift-and-wind rhythm.