Bait helmet help

[metlhead]

Lost my last helmet from my Dad's old sportcom stash. These are by far my favorite for whole rigging. Made in Sooke, BC. Don't recall the name and looking to see if they are still around. Any deas?

[paguy]

Most of the BC guys are using Rhy Davis. I use them and they fish great.

[metlhead]

Have some but prefer whole rigged. These were like a bridle over the baits' nose with clamps stretching back about an inch that seized the bait on the sides. Leader snakes through it to your hook. You can troll really fast and baits hold up

[paguy]

I use the Rhy Davis with whole herring, They are made to use with whole herring and the smaller size for whole anchovies. They both work great. The old style with the harness you can find on ebay every once in awhile. I think Martin made one called Hotter-n-ell and Herring Magic.

[Bullkllr]

We've had good luck with the Hotspot rotators. It's a clip you just stick over the nose with an angle fin to add action.

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Spot-Roller-Baiters/dp/B06ZYYYZBT

[WSU]

Anchovy hoods work well if the bait is small enough.

[wildweeds]

If you were close I would give you a lesson on how to rig a "Choked herring " whole using only the mooching  leader and a toothpick. My dad was taught by an Alaskan Indian who used that setup to catch his commercial hand trolled rod and reel Sushi grade fish. Its a great trick and while it seems difficult at first  once one gets the hang of it it takes about 30 seconds to get one rigged and spinning correctly. The bait spins in a large circle and rotates as its spinning. When it reaches the top of the large circle it will flutter down until the tow point reaches the bottom, then it speeds up and spins to the top . Savage strikes, not the typical  Derek Floyd half hitch style which is line over line chafe point. I've caught alot of big fish with this setup with 20 pound leaders.

[metlhead]

About a hundred ways to rig a whole bait. There really is no difference other than what we think is a prime action. The helmets are the only way for baits to hold up well in fast current breaks and weeds or bottom