Thread: spider rigging for a complete amateur?

Might depend on what you mean by "trolling" (ie: with or w/o added weights) .... but, I'd look at 14' BnM BGJP rods and possibly Jenko 14' rods.

As for reels for both purposes .... I'd look at the Shimano IX or FX reels in the 1000 series. (IX reels have triggers & rear drag - FX reels don't have triggers & have front drag) ... or possibly the Okuma Aria "A" 1000 reel (~2oz lighter than the IX & 5" greater retrieve distance per revolution) ..... (Note - both are in the same price range of ~$15)

Just my suggestions (to keep it on the less expensive side) ... I do not Spider Rig or Longline Troll & have not used any of these rods/reels.

Thanks much. Spent some time looking thru past posts yesterday. Wealth of information here

Sportsman's Warehouse had Shooting Star telescopic rods back when I set up my trolling rig. 14 ft $8.88, 16 ft $9.88. I have 6 of each. Johnson Century 100, 100 A, 100 B reels were about $5 to 10 on ebay. I got a large box of parts, returned 100 B reels cheap. The Century 100's can be used left or right handed, above or below the rod. Mine are left handed below the rod. The 100 D are set for right hand above rod only. The reels are spooled with Power Pro 30# with a swivel at the end. A lighter jig rig leader is added with sinker at the bottom. I try to fish as vertical as possible. A tie on bobber stopper is on the 30# line for setting depth.
Before my state changed hook and rod limits My jig rig had 6 jigs 1 ft apart, a loop at the top 1 ft from the top jig to connect to the mainline swivel, a loop 1 ft from the bottom jig for a 2 or 3 oz bank sinker.
If the bobber stopper is set at 6 ft from the swivel on the main line the jigs are about 7 to 13 ft deep.

For spider rigging all of my poles are 12' long. For pulling jigs (trolling) I start nearest the motor with 5.5', 6', 6', 8', 10', 12' and 14'. On the other side of the motor same thing. I spider rigged using 6 poles because I found out I couldnt keep minnows on all 8 at a time (unless the fish werent biting). When trolling all I use is southern pro hot grubs and charlie brewer sliders. Once I completely rigged up with the proper trolling motor (with cruise control) and rods/reels I was all but through spider rigging. Just my 2 cents worth..........

Thanks gets!

Oldrook, I haven't been on here in a while so I'm late to the party.
check out this video i made a few years ago.

https://youtu.be/g7R2-oUIjmw?si=BCzSTQ5mvC4j6-Ey

I use 14' and 16' BGJPs for my spider rigging rods. If I long line with jigs, I can get away with them, although my crank bait trolling rods are a pair of Cabelas 7.5' trolling rods, a pair of B&M Pro-Staff 10' trolling rods, and a pair of Southern Crappie 14' trolling rods. I'm still experimenting with inexpensive bait caster and spinning reels on my spider rigging rods, and I have line counter reels on my crank bait trolling rods.

If I have my spider rigging rods, crank bait trolling rods, dock shooting rods, ultralights, and livescoping rods at the same time, I end up with about 16-20 rods in the rod holder and on the deck at any given time, and I have had some fishing trips where I end up trying a bunch of methods before I start catching fish or give up.

I have been spider rigging for over 20 years. For many years now I have been using 14 ft. BGJP rods from BnM. Keep us informed with your progress.