If you’ve spent any time chasing the “Silver Ghost” offshore, you know that everyone has an opinion on gear. But after catching hundreds of these fish across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland—90% of them offshore—I always come back to one specific setup. This is the best offshore Mulloway rig for anyone looking to move past the small schoolies and land a genuine 30, 40, or even 60lb trophy.
It’s a simple, rugged, and incredibly effective snelled system that works while you leave the rod in the holder. Let’s break down the components and, more importantly, the “controlled drop” technique that most fishos get dead wrong.
Why the Snelled Twin-Hook is the Best Offshore Mulloway Rig
When you are fishing close reefs in 20 to 30 meters of water, you never know if the fish taking your bait is 15lb or 100lb. Because of that uncertainty, I don’t mess around with light gear.
- The Leader: I always run 80lb fluorocarbon or mono. It sounds heavy, but a big Mulloway has a raspy mouth and can put some serious weight on the line.
- The Hooks: I steer clear of circle hooks for this method. Instead, I use two 8/0 BKK Octopus or Suicide hooks. They are incredibly sharp and strong enough to find a purchase in the hard, bony jaw of a monster Jewfish.
- The Sinker: An 8oz ball or egg sinker. If you can find them, use Lumo (glow-in-the-dark) sinkers. Over the years, I’ve found that a bit of glow in the deep, dark offshore water acts as a beacon that draws the fish toward the bait.
How to Tie the Offshore Snelled Rig
This rig is essentially an oversized version of a Snapper lead. You start with a 3-meter leader tied to your main line with an FG Knot for maximum strength.
- Snell the Hooks: Tie the bottom hook with a standard uni-knot, then snell the second hook about 10–15cm above it (depending on the size of your live bait).
- Add Protection: Slide a small green bead above the top hook to protect your knot from the heavy sinker.
- The Weight: Slide your 8oz Lumo sinker onto the leader so it sits flush against the bead.
Note: We aren’t using mullet offshore. Stick to Yellowtail Scad (Yakkas), Slimy Mackerel, or Pike. This best offshore Mulloway rig is designed to let those baits swim naturally while holding them in the strike zone.
The Secret Technique: The “Controlled Drop”
The biggest mistake I see blokes make with the best offshore Mulloway rig is the way they send it to the bottom. If you simply “free-spool” your reel, the heavy 8oz sinker will rocket down while your live bait stays fluttering near the surface.
Result? A massive, tangled mess of leader and main line that won’t catch a cold, let alone a fish.
To avoid this, use a controlled drop. Keep your thumb on the spool (if using an overhead) or let the line run through your fingers (if using a spin reel). You want the sinker to stay in constant contact with the bait all the way down. It only takes an extra 20 seconds, but it ensures your rig is presented perfectly when it hits the sand.
Setting the Trap: Where to Place Your Bait
Mulloway are lazy predators. They don’t want to fight the heavy current on top of a reef. Instead, they sit on the outside edge or the bottom edge of the reef structure. They wait for the current to push baitfish off the reef into the deeper, calmer water.
- Find the Bottom: Drop the rig until it hits the sand.
- The Wind Up: Give the handle about three full turns. You want your bait sitting roughly 0.5m to 1.0m off the bottom.
- Hands Off: Put the rod in the holder. Turn your ratchet on if you have one.
- The Drag: Set your drag to about 1/3 of the line’s breaking strain. For 15kg line, that’s 5kg of drag. This is enough to set the hooks when the fish runs, but not so much that you snap your rod or pull the hooks out of the fish’s mouth.
Ever wonder about which lures to use for big Mulloway? Have a look at this page.
Summary: Let the Fish Hook Themselves
The beauty of the best offshore Mulloway rig is that the fish almost always hooks itself. You’ll see the rod tip buckle over and head toward the water. Don’t rush it—the snelled hooks are designed to find the corner of the mouth as the fish turns.
By using 80lb leader and a controlled drop, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance at landing a “Silver Ghost” that’ll make you the envy of the boat ramp.
Using the Best offshore Mulloway rig you will land fish like this constantly
More Mulloway Fishing Guides
Read the full mulloway fishing guide
How to Catch Big Mulloway in Reefs: 9 Proven Stealth Secrets
How to Catch Big Mulloway in Rivers: 7 Old School Stealth Secret