Ballyhoo Hemiramphus brasilensis
AKA: “Hoo"
Prominent features: Ballyhoo are in the halfbeak family and are found in tropical waters. Characterized with orange-red beak tips, compressed silvery sides they can grow up to 18 inches. The most interesting feature is the color of their backs and color of the feces, which change with their habitat. If the fish have been feeding on the grass flats, backs and feces are green. If they have been feeding on the reefs, backs are blue and feces brown to red. Ballyhoo fishermen say that the “hoos” change colors like chameleons as a defense system. Since the fish move on and off grass flats and reefs with the tidal movements, their colors may have yet to change since their last locale.
Uses: Great trolling bait for dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, and any of the billfishes, especially sailfish. Can also be used as a cut bait. Are sold as a bulk bait in boxes, packaged by graded size in heavy vacuum bags or are pre-rigged in a number of ways.
Packaging forms:
Bulk ballyhoo (small) in a 4 pound box, 10 boxes per case
Graded in vacuum bags:
Each fisherman or packer may size their catch a little differently but generally sizing is as follows:
Small ~ 6 ½” – 7 ½”
Medium ~ 7 ½” – 8 ¾”
Large/Select ~ 8 ¾” – 9 ¼”
Horse ~ 9 ¼” – 10 ¼”
Jumbo ~ 10 ¼” – 12”
Magnum ~ 12+”
We carry a premium grade of product
As well as a standard grade of product
Pre-rigged ballyhoo:
Ballyhoo can be rigged in various sizes, on mono or wire, weighted or rigged with circle hooks rather than conventional ‘J’ hooks.
