Thread: Spider Rigging

You will need some of the gear mentioned but I really didn't figure out the trolling/spiderrigging until I had a chance to fish with a couple of REALLY good trollers and pick their brains about what kind of conditions/water temps/clarity, boat control (#1 in my book) and other gear such as trolling motor, electronics,etc. That said, nothing will teach you what you need to know better than time on the water.

I have a good deal on some rod holders if you are interested. They are home-made, welded steel but they have seen a lot of fish come over the sides. I recently went to HyTeks. Send me a PM if interested, I'll send info and pics.

Originally Posted by Hogdaddy

I couldn't find this ad. In the classifieds on this board?

Never mind, I found the ad. Thanks

Set your boat up so that you do not have to get out of your seat for anything...bait, tackle, livewell, etc.

You have to stay on that trolling motor...especially if there is any wind whatsoever......

Spider rigging is all about boat control to keep your baits in the strike zone.....

I thought I liked Crappie fishing until I started spider rigging/trolling. Now it's all I want to do when I get off work. You'll need to figure out how to keep your bait at the correct depth. That will depend on weight, boat speed, line, etc. Probably my best tool, other that the line and hooks, is my Minn Kota Ipilot trolling motor. It is a little pricey but it keeps the same heading and speed when prompted which allows me to hook, land, dehook the fish and get back in the water without worrying with the trolling motor (assuming there is nothing immediately in from of the boat).

Start off with shorter rods 10'-12' with a single hook 3/8-1/2 oz egg sinker; with sinker wraped 2-3 times about 12-16 inches above the hook, this will cut down on hangups, then when you get use to the method add a hook above the sinker about a foot up on a 8-10" leader(tied rom the string) use aberdeen light wire hooks they will straighten out if you get hung all you have to do is pull use 8-10 lb test I prefer hi-vis. Minnows and GO SLOW!! you can tip; you can run road runners but remember SLOW start shallow or deep don't matter if one ain't working go the other way but use common sense in the spawn go shallow, hot go deep, cold go deep, water temp above 57-60 degrees head up creek and river channels, never pass up ledges on inside channel bends and crappie love cover. I'm more Cave Run way but if you want to get with some fellas and learn and have fun get with the guys from CKCA central kentucky crappie association I have been meaning to join and fish the torney's or at least go and watch but a wife and two young kids takes presidence I get out when I can and fish tourneys when I can. If you want to get together and fish let me know, I'll help ya any way I can, don't know much about Green or Barren but know guys who do.

Thanks guys for all the replies and offers to help. I can"t wait to get started, if work don't get in the way. I'm going to go to Green soon to see what i can find on the depth finder. Anybody hear if anything is being caught at Green?

I've decided on Hi-Tek rod holders. I haven't quite figured out which type of rod that i want to try. I'd like to find 3 or 4 rods to start in the $25-$35 range. I would always go cheaper if i could find a rod that would work.

check out Southern Crappie Rods Enter Site thier the right price but I havn't got any yet to check out the quality. I use Crappie Maxx from Bass Pro aka the old Wally Marshall Tightline Specials.

I always wanted to get a rig set up for spider rigging but in Illinois, there is a 2 pole limit. Too expensive for one or two trips to KY a year!