Spider Rig/Pulling Cranks

Wanting to start doing these techniques. Lots of questions. I know spider rigging is done from the front of the boat, and most of the videos I've seen are using crankbaits from the back of the boat. Can you use crankbaits from the front too? Can you use the same rod for crankbaits that you do for spider rigging? I will be attempting all this from a kayak so I'm going to stick to using an 8' rod, what is a good rod in the size for SR or CBs. Thanks!

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Yea this all can be done, not to sure how it will turn out in a kayak since all these techniques put strain on whatever vessel you are fishing from. No problem pulling from the front. Will help if you have staggered length rods to keep separation. Watch your turns so outside lines don’t get under you and tangled. Pushing cranks from front requires stiff rods using heavier 1-4 oz weight to get the baits to depth, otherwise you would just be pulling.

I pull crankbaits or drift with jigs from a kayak much of the year. I found that pulling more than 2 crankbaits at once makes for a lot of tangles, especially on turns. Your results may vary. I use 6'8' - 7' medium action rods with line counter reels and 15/8 lb braid with 4'-5' flurocarbon leaders in 8 lb to 14 lb test depending on water clarity or the presence of stripers and catfish. A small swivel between the braid & flurocarbon cuts down twist. Snaps on the working end of the leaders makes changing lures & untangling lines easier.

Drifting jigs, I use the same medium action rods out the back with bigger & heavier swim jigs (1/8 oz head with a 3"-4" body). In the front rod holders I use 9'-11'Sam Heaton jigging poles with 6lb. HiVis line tied to 1/32 oz. jigheads dressed with BG Baby Shad or Fin-S-Fish bodies).

I haven't tried pushing cranks yet, thought about it, but haven't done it yet. I'll probably push & pull at the same time, just to say I did it.

I hope this helps.

Jim

You use jigging poles for your front trolling? I have an ACC jigging pole and I'm concerned about it being too "whippy". Does the one you use have more backbone than the crappiestix?

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Originally Posted by J D

You use jigging poles for your front trolling? I have an ACC jigging pole and I'm concerned about it being too "whippy". Does the one you use have more backbone than the crappiestix?

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What a rod can handle is a very subjective matter, especially on here. I would say you are good up to maybe 1 oz at 3/4 mph with the Acc jig pole. Someone will chime in and say they they ouch 4oz weights at 4 mph with no problem though. Try what you have then upgrade if you’re not happy with the results. Love the ACC by the way, haven’t broken one yet and that’s saying something for me

I have been wondering about ACC and their Rod quality

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

I have been wondering about ACC and their Rod quality

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very good quality, my favorite single pole/livescope rods. Light and tough. I’ll keep my BNM’s for trolling and spider rigging though.

I’ve pushed cranks in a bass boat and pulled both cranks and jigs. Came to find out I preferred pulling cranks and jigs more than pushing and they all caught fish. I ran a lot of rods, as many as twelve, with some monumental tangles, some of my own doing. Fish created the rest. You’re trying a different platform and the same technique so start out simple and add to it as you find the need. I thought about pulling in a canoe I had for a while with four rods out the sides. Two twelves and two eights. That’s enough separation and better if the longer rods are out a bit further. I ran six and eight pound hi vis mono and a duo lock snap on the ends. Eight works better for most folks. Good luck with it and keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by Yak Fish

I pull crankbaits or drift with jigs from a kayak much of the year. I found that pulling more than 2 crankbaits at once makes for a lot of tangles, especially on turns. Your results may vary. I use 6'8' - 7' medium action rods with line counter reels and 15/8 lb braid with 4'-5' flurocarbon leaders in 8 lb to 14 lb test depending on water clarity or the presence of stripers and catfish. A small swivel between the braid & flurocarbon cuts down twist. Snaps on the working end of the leaders makes changing lures & untangling lines easier.

Drifting jigs, I use the same medium action rods out the back with bigger & heavier swim jigs (1/8 oz head with a 3"-4" body). In the front rod holders I use 9'-11'Sam Heaton jigging poles with 6lb. HiVis line tied to 1/32 oz. jigheads dressed with BG Baby Shad or Fin-S-Fish bodies).

I haven't tried pushing cranks yet, thought about it, but haven't done it yet. I'll probably push & pull at the same time, just to say I did it.

I hope this helps.

Jim

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If you don't mind, can you tell me your drift setup? Do you use weights above your jigs?

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I do not weight them. I paddle into the wind, then drift across the structure I intend to target. I use 1/8 oz. VMC swim bait jig heads on the back with Keitech Easy Shiner bodies. n front I use 1/32 to 1/16 oz. heads sickle hook with Bobby Garland Baby Shad or Fin S Shad bodies. I also sometimes use RoadRunner heads all the way around in early Spring.

Sorry for the delayed resopnse. Working out of town only gets so good.

Jim