Spider Rigging Setup ?s

[Tundah]

So am I really looking forward to giving this method the ol' college try, especially through the colder months ahead. I have several questions for those of you that spider rig here in Florida.

Here's my basic setup. Did some work on the boat today and I think it came out pretty good. I got a HB 859 not too long ago and got it set up with the US2 on the Terrova and just did the ethernet wiring to connect it to the console unit so I am good to share waypoints. My boat only has one seat mount on the bow and its one of those funky circular deals with a notch so I couldn't use an EZT-Pole Perch double seat setup like I have in the past. I was contemplating using the 5-gallon bucket seats, but then I came across some chairs at Dicks and they felt very durable and were quite comfortable. I already had extra bases for my Spyderlok rod holders so found a good spot up front for them.



No real way to avoid the trolling motor, it will just take ease and finesse to stow and deploy, but doable. Plenty of room to walk back to the cockpit and my favorite thing about the chairs is there is a tray the comes up on the side, with a drink holder. The livewell is completely accessible under the seat. Pretty cool that the color matches the boat too!



I ordered 4 x 14-foot Southern Pro rods and I already have an assortment of 12 footers. I will be using the standard Shimano spinning reels with 6lb high-vis mono. The initial plan is for us to start with three rods each. Rod storage will be straight across the decking in the center of the boat. I am brainstorming a homemade rig...to be continued...

Now the rigging, and this is where most of my questions lie. I bought a set of Mr. Crappie Trolling rigs, in both 1/2 ounce and 3/4 ounce, that will hopefully keep things simpler.



My plan was to tie a bunch of rigs on fluro leaders with a loop at the end to connect to the rig. What kind of a jigs/lures/hooks would you all recommend?

Jig size? 1/16. 1/32. 1/8
Jig head? Roadrunners, minnow head, round
Lures? Tubes, baby shads, zip jigs, hair jigs, others?
Hooks? Plain aberdeen with live minnow
Crappie nibbles vs live minnows?

Finally, I saw a lot of folks on Hatchineha/Kissimmee with various setups. One thing I observed, is many of them were using floats on long rods out the back/side. My assumption is they are slip floats with a set depth and maybe a split-shot and minnow? If I have a third or fourth person with me, I'd like to know what is a good option for setting them up with two rods each out the back while we spider rig the front.

Thanks for indulging me!

[pescador]

I am sure fishin813 can help you.

Good luck

[fishin813]

Nate,

Forget that Mr.Crappie crap -

Your set up with 3 - 4 each side. Number rods 1 -4 on each side
Number 1 rod straight out front 16' - this will be your deepest rod
mostly i set mine at 100 in down.
number 2 rod will be next set it at 84 in
number 3 rod will be next set it at 62 in
number 4 rod will be last on either side - usually at 46 - 48 in
Set rods up with main line, add 1/2 oz lead - shot - barrel or inline sinker
Put in swevel with snap.
take any curley tail - grub - slider - mylar zib usually 16th oz for starter.
make up a leader line - clear mono - floracarbon etc. 18 - 22" long
loop knop jig to leader. put a swivel on other end or snap whereby you can hook
to main line set up.
Poor man's set up - go to any Walmart - Dollar General - and pick up 2-3' floaties
that kids use in pools - cut yourself couple 1 ft lengths - tie you leader line-jigs
on - makes it easy to change out rigs colors - etc.
Now you are set up for Spider rigging. run i-pilot at .6- 8 mph...........
use a stop - go method and zig-zag movement ....remember who hits on what rod
and what color is working best.
Hot pink - black/chart - red/white - red/orange
Ice and/or moon jigs - blue - blue/white stripe - hot pink - chart - purple
orange glitter -

Try to keep record what you are doing - time of day - weather cloudy/sunny -
heat - when did you take most hits and when they stopped - what size fish were
you taking, small - medium - etc and on what poles.(depth)

Call or send me an e-mail what happens.

[huntinslabs]

I don't spiderrig much, but do agree with Harold on the Mr. Crappie junk. Also try you some of the gnats that are for sale on member classifieds. Tied up some of my own on Owner Mosquito hooks. Good Stuff.

[Tundah]

Fair enough, I just figured the metal arms would minimize twists and snags, etc. I have tried the egg sinker and three-way swivel, but was such a headache with the top and bottom twisting around each other every time you take rod in and out. Maybe I'll just do single rigs to start.

Main line > Egg Sinker > Bead > Swivel w/snap > Leader & Jig ???

Will definitely look into the hand tied stuff as well around here, thanks!

Has anyone had success with all artificials, or are minnows a necessity for this method around here?

[huntinslabs]

You might have had your top dropper too long if it was tangling.Try a 3" dropper on top. I have not seen anyone not tipping with minners spiderrigging.

[Anchor Man]

Nice rig, it don't take a rocket scientist to spider rig, I'm sure you'll figure out the best way for your boat.

[fishin813]

When double rigging - my top dropper (loop knot jig) is no longer than 1 1/2 inches,
most of time even shorter...........jig will not tangle in loop

Have gone plain hook on dropper - wgt - snap - leader jig - minnow tipped
Also - tag ling - wgt - snap - leader - jig on dropper - 8' drop to plain minnow
tipped hook

[Tundah]

Nice rig, it don't take a rocket scientist to spider rig, I'm sure you'll figure out the best way for your boat.

Thank you sir, and you are correct, I do overthink it sometimes, but just try to maximize my setup since my outtings can be infrequent and unpredictable.

When double rigging - my top dropper (loop knot jig) is no longer than 1 1/2 inches,
most of time even shorter...........jig will not tangle in loop

Have gone plain hook on dropper - wgt - snap - leader jig - minnow tipped
Also - tag ling - wgt - snap - leader - jig on dropper - 8' drop to plain minnow
tipped hook

You might have had your top dropper too long if it was tangling.Try a 3" dropper on top. I have not seen anyone not tipping with minners spiderrigging.

You two gentlemen are spot on, the last time I tried this ages ago, my top dropper was WAY too long!

[skeetbum]

Don't feel bad Tundah, I did the same thing. My dropper is now short and doesn't tangle. I usually slide a light jig or gnat on the line first, then set up my weight, then tie a jig on the bottom. Bottom jig isn't too heavy, usually under an eighth, and has a good sized hook like a 2 or 1. I have also done this with nothing but 1/16 jigs and no minnows into brushpiles that I knew about. This doesn't work with any wind and you have to almost crawl or the jigs get into the TM. When it works it's an absolute blast and rods go down faster than you can react. When it doesn't work you know in a short time. Roadrunners on a couple of rods is always a good idea.