He cuts the double line at the end, and braids it all the way to the Bimini twist knot. This braided line acts as a shock leader. A four-ounce egg sinker is put on the fishing line ahead of the swivel. If the speedo mackerel do not show up in the chum line, Nielsen can go for fresh ballyhoo. He makes a ballyhoo plug by removing the head and tail, breaks the backbone to make it flexible, and uses a single hook at the heavy end of the plug.
Live bait is attractive to muttons, especially live cigar minnows.
Mutton snapper visit the grass flats and channels during summer. Cosgrove Shoal west of Key West at the ocean drop-off. Mutton snapper will grab a live bait or large chunk of fresh bait in 90 to 110 feet of water. They often bite best when there is moderate current. Sombrero Key, south and slightly east of Knights Key Channel.