Thread: Spider Rigging Setup ?s

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!