Sportfishing enthusiasts will prefer line classes around 2 kilo to get the most out of the fish. Overhead reels will take the workload with ease, however spinning reels are easier to use for most novices and still prove quite adequate. Excessive amounts of casting and retrieving will require more regular maintenance, so keep it up if you want you tackle to last. Lure should be rigged with a heavy leader of about a metre in length and around 20 kilos in line strength. This will match the body length of the fish and help reduce wear and tear of the line against body.
Baitfishing rigs are similar to the conventional river rig, or that used for snapper fishing.
A swivel should be added into the rig if using offset hooks or spinning reels. As a baitfish, bonito can be used in many ways other than cut up as dead bait. When located in schools over reefs, chances are that the bonito are themselves, part of the never ending food chain. Big kingfish and other major predators find them irresistible as a live bait. Once a bonnie is caught, it must be rigged straight away, as they die quickly if not returned to the water as soon as possible.