The Saltatrix gas balloon rig is our refined version of a rig suited for a uniquely West Aussie method of catching hard fighting pelagic fish from the shore! In the early 1980's at various locations along the WA coast line land based game anglers pioneered the technique of "gas ballooning." With the aid of strong offshore winds these fishos would send large surface skipping baits such as gar fish and snook hundreds of meters off the shore under large helium gas filled balloons to target fast swimming dynamic pelagic fish such as Spanish Mackerel, Tuna and even Billfish!
Our version of the gas balloon rig features components we believe to be the best quality and most effective in their class to construct the ultimate land based game gas balloon rig. We know how much effort it takes to tangle with large pelagic fish from the land and have used our experience to offer the best quality rig for the job!
Rig Particulars:
-Tied with JDB 120lb red nylon coated Japanese multi-strand wire
-Rig is approximately 1000mm in length in total
-3x 10/0 BKK Octopus Beak Hooks, 1x BKK 4/0 Viper treble hook, Shogun HD crane swivel, heat shrink, 150mm Ocean's Legacy pink lumo tako bait squid Skirt
What could I catch using the Saltatrix gas balloon rig?
Whilst this rig is predominately used to target Spanish Mackerel, almost the entire spectrum of pelagic fish on offer in Western Australian coastal waterways has been captured using this method. Depending on location and time of year common by-catch includes Long Tail (Northern Bluefin) & Yellowfin Tuna, Samson & Yellow Tail King Fish, Cobia, Wahoo, even Sailfish and Marlin!
For best results we recommend using Vexed "Big Bait" thread to seat baits onto the hooks well, keep hook points proud and stop the bait from falling to pieces as it skips away violently off shore!
*please note there are certain areas such as Busselton & Esperance jetties, the area between Tim's Thicket beach and Two Rocks North Western Australia" where fishing with wire trace is not permitted.
Need some rigs tied?
Heading away on a fishing trip or doing a tackle box restock? we take custom orders to your specifications! we are happy to help fulfil your own personalised rig order to your specification and component preferences, simply send us a message via the chat icon and we can make it happen!
*Please note our Saltatrix rigs are tied by our staff in store, so there may be some small variances in lengths and components based on availability of rigging materials but substitutions will be made to optimise catch results.