Thread: First time spidder Rigging

Well I went out on Friday and tried for the first time to spider rig. I have a homemade rod holder that holds 4 rods. I fish by myself so 4 is plenty for me. I see all the post on here so I thought I would give it a try. It was a different experience for sure. I really liked it except getting hug up on 3 out of the 4 rods at once. So my questions is how do yall keep from getting hung up all the time. I mark brush piles with my finder and then troll over them. So do yall troll straight over them or off to the side, and do you have to adjust your line for each one? I have noticed that some come up a couple of feet off bottom and others are almost to the surface. If you miss a fish do you slow your speed down or just go back over that spot again? An could someone tell me how they tie their set up. Sorry for all the questions i'm just new to crappie fishing an im trying to learn.

thanks
jp

Jp where ya located. I troll in and around em when the fish are there. I usually know the depth and troll over them first as more active fish on top.

Jacksonville.

When I spider rig I get hung up alot but most the time I can at least get my rig back just playing with it. Sometimes you just have to cut your loses and save your brain a spazz and just snap it off. I would rather lose a minnow rig then break my pole or go crazy fooling with it.

There is a difference between spider rigging and just trolling around. I rig up the same way for both methods.
I spider rig a known brush pile or structure by keeping the target between me and the wind. Then I ease my rigs (4 BTW) into them at known depths. If I am easing into it, my hangups generally are easily dealt with.
I troll unknown water while looking for new brush piles. Generally about 1MPH or less. And I plow right through them most of the time before I know it. If I am successful in passing it without getting hung I will circle back and work it over.
Both of these methods are done best without your wife in the boat. She will be sure to ask you "why you are doing it that way" right as the 4th pole gets hung up.
DP

I usually go around known piles, and troll flats. If I am going over the top of the pile, I try to keep the jigs right above (1-3") above the cover.

1-2 mph, with a little weight 12" above the jig to keep jig in the right depth.

where you fishing near Jacksonville? I fish out by Scott mostly.

Last weekend was my first time as well...but same as above

I trolled around with my baits shallower at first to see how deep the water/channel was and what cover was down there and at what depth then after i made a pass shallow and got a general idea I re-adjusted my baits down to proper depth. with the deepest one being just above the cover.

When i troll that lake again the guess work will already be done. I can start with the proper depth.

I had to break off 3 times i think all day. Its just gonna happen from time to time when trolling especially in and around cover.

With your Q regarding how to tie the setup. I tie a double rig. loop knot first bait then 8-10 inches down a barrel weight with the line threaded through 3 or 4 times then at 18-24 inches another loop knot with another bait

Hey we live in jacksonville also. I like to troll clear lake between scott and england. We tie a bell sinker on the bottom, then loops in the line 1' and 3' above it. normally the bell sinker drags on the bottom or through the brush and it doesnt hang up very often, and when it does we back up and it comes loose. We like the sinker on the bottom.

You like Clear Lake? My grandfather told me about it once but we never did make it out there? Is the only put in next to that blue house on Hwy 161?

I live in Jacksonville but fish Conway.