Sabiki Success - Catching Quality Livies!
If you’re heading out to chase serious predators like Kingfish or John Dory, you already know that fresh, lively bait is the key to success. A tank full of premium baitfish not only increase your strike rate but often turns a quiet day into a hot bite.
The easiest way to gather that live bait? Using quality Black Magic and Wasabi Sabiki rigs, designed specifically for to tempt baitfish species.
Choosing the right Sabiki and hook Size:
Black Magic Sabiki Rigs are built strong — featuring high-quality Japanese hooks, durable monofilament, and realistic flashers that perfectly imitate tiny baitfish or shrimp. Two proven performers to keep in your tackle kit are:
• Black Magic Sabiki – Pink Shrimp (Hook sizes #10 or #7):perfect for sprats, pilchards, piper, and smaller koheru.
• Black Magic Sabiki – Midnight Mackerel (Hook sizes #7 or #4):the go-to for yellowtail mackerel, slimy mackerel, and small kahawai.
The Wasabi Bait Catcher Sabiki offers outstanding value and performance, with chemically sharpened hooks and lumo flash fibres that shine in low-light or deeper water.
Recommended hook sizes:
• #10 – Sprats, pilchards, small piper
• #7 – Piper, koheru, medium yellowtail
• #4 – Slimy mackerel, large yellowtail, kahawai
Target Baitfish Species:
These are your primary live-bait targets for Kingfish and John Dory missions:
• Sprats
• Pilchards
• Piper
• Koheru
• Yellowtail mackerel
• Slimy mackerel
• Kahawai
Each offers its own strengths — from the endurance of a slimy mackerel to the surface appeal of a piper — giving you a range of options to match the conditions and target species.
Technique and Tackle Tips
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Rod & Reel Setup
• 6–7 ft light spin rod
• 2500–3000 size reel spooled with 6–10lb Black Magic Rainbow Braid
• Short Black Magic Fluorocarbon leader (8–12 lb) for stealth and abrasion resistance
Working the Sabiki
• Drop the rig to the level of the bait school, guided by your sounder.
• Lift and lower the rod slowly — let the flashers flutter naturally.
• When you feel taps, avoid striking. Simply lift and wind steadily.
• Maintain gentle pressure on the way up to keep small bait fish secure.
Bait-Specific Techniques
• Piper: fish near the surface using a small float and about a metre of trace. A light trail of mashed pilchard burley will keep them in range.
• Koheru and Yellowtail: target mid-water around buoys, wharf pylons, or reef edges.
• Slimy Mackerel and Kahawai: fish deeper structures or current lines; use Black Magic Midnight Mackerel rigs for visibility in low light.
Keeping Bait in Prime Condition:
Once caught, handle your bait with care. Use a wet hand or Black Magic soft mesh net to transfer them gently into a live bait tank or bucket system. Keep water aerated and fresh. Lively, healthy baitfish swim naturally and attract more strikes from trophy predators.
Adam’s Pro Tip
“When bait schools stack up under the boat, fill your tank quickly — but don’t overcrowd it. A dozen perfect piper or koheru are worth more than a bucket full of stressed fish. Quality bait equals quality hookups.”
When smaller baits aren’t available, a small kahawai makes an aggressive, durable live bait for Kingfish and John Dory.
With the right Black Magic or Wasabi Sabiki and a bit of finesse, you’ll have a live-bait tank full of sprats, koheru, and slimy mackerel in no time — setting you up for those unforgettable moments when the reel screams and the bait has done its job.
