Favorite rig for live baiting Lings?

My run in with several large hitch hikers this weekend has me pondering better rigging methods for live greenling. So far the one that looks the most promising is a heavy mom leader with a 4/0 or so single hook through the lips then a large treble, 6/0-8/0, behind the dorsal or merely rubber banded to the tail part of the bait.

I am already sold on slip sinkers. Other thoughts?

What do you guys use? Head first or tail first?

Also the reoccurring theme is to not let the hitch hiker get too close to the surface until you can bag him.

8/0-10/0 double hook rig,  one crosswise through the nostrils, the other loose through the dorsal.  6-8 ounces of sliding egg sinker.  Extra long 10 count freespool on the take unless you know you're fishing a spot with lots of holes for lingzilla to rock you,  otherwise 10 slow, gentle cranks on the take then pause for a 10 count in gear to allow lingzilla to turn the bait in her mouth and swallow.  If you're feeling lucky swing for the fences after the 10 count.  If you pull the bait out, let it sit, she'll come back.

-Allen

The best thing about a rig like that is it let's the fish continue swimming normally. I think it really entices lings to attack. It seems to outfish other hooking methods. Be wary about trusting those hooks to hook up the ling though. DAMHIK..

Z

Keep in mind, there is ad difference between a true hitch hiker and fishing with live bait. 

The beautiful thing about hitch hikers is that a simple shrimp fly is all the rigging you need.  The ugly thing about hitch hikers is that they can let go any time they want (but this time of year they're a bit greedy).

I've always been motivated more by curiosity than pride ...

What's a "hitchhiker"?

What's a "hitchhiker"?

Though some of this conversation turned more towards live bait fishing, a hitchhiker is when you've caught a rockfish, greenling, or small ling, etc., and a larger ling decides it looks like a good meal, and latches on.  They'll often keep the fish in their mouth even though they aren't hooked.

I would even stretch the term to include live bait fishing where the ling is not actually hooked, just holding onto the the bait fish.

I would even stretch the term to include live bait fishing where the ling is not actually hooked, just holding onto the the bait fish.

Yep. Not hooked=hitchiker

Z