Adjustable couta trace

The Adjustable Couta Trace works well as a dead or live bait trace. When using it as a live bait trace, the duster and sinker is left out. It is a versatile trace and especially useful when fishing with live bait. Live bait rarely fits the traces perfectly as the bait may be too big or small. With the Adjustable Couta Trace, the trace can be adjusted to the length of the bait. The trace is suitable to catch almost any species of game fish, but as the name suggests, it is most often used for King Mackerel. (commonly known as Couta). TACKLE FOR AN ADJUSTABLE COUTA TRACE To make an Adjustable Couta Trace to be used with live bait you need a No. 5 Power Swivel, a single lead hook of between 2/0 and 4/0, two 4X strong treble hooks and No.8 stainless steel wire. To use the trace with dead bait, you additionally need a Couta Duster and a one-ounce barrel sinker. TYING AN ADJUSTABLE COUTA TRACE Cut two 20cm lengths of steel wire. Tie one to the eye of the single hook with a haywire twist knot. Tie the other length of wire to one of the treble hooks and make a small loop at the other end of the wire using a haywire twist. The length of the wire from the hook to the loop should be about 10cm. Slide the loop over the length of the wire tied to the eye of the hook and tie the other treble hook to the open end of the wire, 10 cm from the single hook. A third length of wire (30 to 60 cm long), the trace wire, is then tied to the eye of the single hook. I have previously used a shorter trace wire but have recently been bitten off twice above the trace wire, so I now prefer to make the trace wire a bit longer. If the trace it intended for live bait, tie the power swivel to the other end of the trace wire to finish the trace off. To use it with dead bait, slide a Couta duster or octopus skirt onto the trace wire before tying the power swivel on. Baits to be used A variety of baits can be used with an Adjustable Couta trace. These include Sardine, Sugar Mackerel, small Bonito, Japanese Mackerel, Maasbanker and Shad. The baits can be alive or dead. Baiting up The single hook is hooked through the lower and upper jaw of dead baitfish to protrude between the nostrils on top of the head. With live bait, the single hook is hooked only through the upper jaw leaving the mouth open so that the bait can breathe. The fixed treble hook is hooked into the flank in the middle of the bait. The adjustable treble hook is adjusted to fit the length of the bait and then hooked close to the bait’s tail. With dead bait, a half to one-ounce barrel sinker is hooked onto the single hook before baiting up. This will ensure that the bait does not spin when trolled. Test the bait next to the boat to make sure it swims straight before putting it out. The bait should preferably be trolled with a slow, enticing motion. Live bait does not need a duster or sinker. This will enable it to swim naturally. Fish to target Although mainly aimed at King Mackerel, few species of game fish will ignore a well presented dead or live bait on an Adjustable Couta trace. It is effective for King Mackerel, Barracuda, Dorado, Sailfish, Marlin, Kingfish and Yellowfin Tuna. Even the occasional Queen Mackerel and Wahoo have been caught on it. When using two rods, one bait is usually trolled close to the surface while the other is down rigged with a 4 to 6-ounce barrel sinker. This will keep the two lines from tangling and you will be able to cover more water where predators may be lurking.