Cabin fever has a bear hug on me

[redearhoosier]

I'm chomping at the bit to get out on the water, these winter days get kind of depressing. I've got plenty of items to take care of on my boat, chiefly setting it up for spider rigging. I've got an Alumacraft Competitor which is a v hull design. I went this route because I felt it safer for my 6 year old.

I just hope I can fit two chairs in the bow so we can spider rig. It seems to have plenty enough width/room. Should I get two sets of pole holders that will accommodate three poles each? How long should I buy my poles...12 or 14 feet? Just to get an average setup going, anyone know a ballpark figure on these costs?? Thanks a bunch, redear!

[badbrad]

I'd get a set of pole holders that accommodate at least four rods in case you progress and want to fish 8 poles. You can always just fish 6 until you get the hang of things. As far as rod length, I've used 10's, 12's and 14's. Some will argue 14's are best especially if your fishing an aluminum boat because of the water slapping the bow of the boat. Personally, I like the 12's....they are just two piece rods and easier to manage while fishing and in transport. (14's are 3 piece rods). Many good brands to choose from but I highly recommend Southern Crappie Rods by Ed Duke. Think they are around $40 a piece and I just put a cheap $20 Mitchell Avocet reel from Wally World on them. For boat set up, google spider rigging from a v hull and check out images. May get some good suggestion on set up. Good luck!

[crappiehunterDave]

I sure know what you are saying about cabin fever. I just booked our spring trip and now it is worse than ever. For spider rigging I have Hi Tek rod holders. I have bnm 12 foot rods and southern crappie 14 ft rods. To start with the 12 footers are easier to use but I love my southern crappie rods. I would highly recommend them.

[CrappiePappy]

.... yep, I'm right there with ya'll !! Haven't been since Oct ... and that was after missing out on the better part of 5 months this past Summer/Fall, due to health issues.

Got Hi-Tek rod holders, and just getting started on getting long poles for (true) spider rigging. Well, rods longer than 10' that is !!

I'm not sure if a 6yo could handle a 12-14' rod without a little difficulty (or major help from Dad) ... but, he'd likely handle a 10' rod OK, with a little practice.

Decent long rods will run from ~ $40 to $70+ depending on length/brand. Spinning reels for those rods can run from ~ $20 on up. (low end Shimano, Mitchell, or Okuma reels will work)
Rod holders run around $100/set (4 holder) .... and I'd suggest getting the 4rod holder set, even if you remove one or more of the holders from the T-bar or just don't use all 4 holders.

... cp

[pesce]

I got my seats from EZpoleholder.com light weight and the seat and back are mesh so you get airflow,heres the front of my Alumacraft with the spider rigging, the other device is for the transducers for the lowrance hds this pic dosen't show the hds but it sits right behind the running light, i use a spider rig and adapted the hds to it this way i can remove it quickly. Maybe i should take more pics when i have it out and all set up.

[plateboater]

More pics when you are done....great looking so far

[wilbur]

Would be easier to get the rod out if turn them holders 180. Just Sayin

[CrappiePappy]

Got the same holders, but put knobs on them in place of the holder adjustment bolts & T-bar bolt... so now the only time I have to have a wrench/socket is when I put them in or take them out of the floor mounts. Rod height & position, and T-bar position is adjusted by hand with knobs like these : McMaster-Carr

.... cp

[dallman]

Cabin fever was just terrible. I hooked up the boat yesterday. I had just replaced the timing belt, impeller, plugs and fuel filter. Figured to take out for a shake down cruise. The truck knew better. The battery was dead this morning. I will wait until i get the da-ducer and the 360 mounted on the bow and try again.

[pesce]

Thank You CrappiePappy, i like the knobs