Catching Memories Since 2017

Gummy sharks don’t feed the same way as many other sharks. They often move slowly, pick up baits carefully, and swim off rather than smashing a bait at speed.

Because of this, the wrong rig can lead to missed hook-ups, dropped baits, or fish swallowing the bait too deeply before you even realise they’re there.

Factors like water temperature, depth, current, and fishing pressure all affect how gummies feed — and the rig you use needs to suit those conditions.

Experienced gummy fishos don’t rely on a single “do-everything” setup. They adjust their rigs based on where they’re fishing and how the fish are behaving on the day.

Gummy sharks don’t have the razor-sharp teeth of many other shark species, which is why mono leaders

are often talked about as a good option for them. But in real-world fishing, the decision isn’t that simple.

Conditions, bait size, fish size, and the chance of encountering other shark species all play a role. That’s why experienced gummy fishos don’t think in terms of wire or mono — they think about where wire is needed, and where mono makes sense.

Wire comes into play when targeting bigger gummies, fishing rough ground, running large or tough baits, or when there’s a real chance of mixed shark species. In these situations, wire protects against bite-offs and abrasion and gives you confidence to fish properly without babying your gear.

Mono still has an important role. It offers flexibility, natural bait movement, and controlled stretch — which is why it’s often used strategically rather than everywhere. In some rigs, mono is used in sections where strength is needed without over-building the entire setup.

This is also why hybrid gummy rigs exist. By combining mono and wire in specific sections, you get bite protection where it matters most, while still keeping the rig balanced, practical, and forgiving in real fishing conditions.

There’s no single “best” leader material for gummies. The right choice depends on the size of the fish you’re targeting, the ground you’re fishing, and what else might turn up on the end of your line.

In deeper water or when fishing from a boat, keeping baits organised and reducing snags becomes more important than casting distance.

Gummy shark paternoster rigs are designed to hold baits slightly off the bottom while maintaining strength where it matters most. By separating the bite section from the sinker line, these rigs help manage tangles and make it easier to fish rough ground or structure.

A key advantage of this style of rig is control. If a sinker becomes snagged, the lower section can break away without costing you the fish or the entire rig — a practical feature when fishing areas where gummies are known to hold close to the bottom.

Sliding snell rigs are useful when bait size varies or when gummies are feeding cautiously. With one fixed hook and one sliding hook, the rig can be adjusted to suit different baits while improving hook placement.

This style of rig works well when gummies mouth a bait before committing, allowing the hooks to sit where they’re most effective without over-complicating the setup. It’s a practical option for fishos who want flexibility without constantly re-rigging.