Long-Line Trolling Question (double jigs)

I noticed that TC and Harold both agreed on placing the heavier jig head on the top of a tandem rig while long-lining. I've always done the opposite with my heavier, usually 1/16 jig, on the bottom...while placing a 1/32 jig on the top. Seems like when one of the jigs is a different size, you'll have a good spacing in the water column. I have had success doing this and would have never questioned myself until now. Any comments on this would be appreciated...thx in advance to all the crappie people out there. :)

I'm still learning the method on single jigs so not much to offer ya. Haven't made that leap yet, been covering the column with different jig sizes, line length, and speed...and even then I jumble all the various depths I think I'm running in my head. But if you're having success, don't fix what aint broke :). Harold gave me enough advice to make my head spin (in a good way), thank goodness I can get email on my phone. Happy Thanksgiving all!

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Originally Posted by Tundah

I'm still learning the method on single jigs so not much to offer ya. Haven't made that leap yet, been covering the column with different jig sizes, line length, and speed...and even then I jumble all the various depths I think I'm running in my head. But if you're having success, don't fix what aint broke :). Harold gave me enough advice to make my head spin (in a good way), thank goodness I can get email on my phone. Happy Thanksgiving all!

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:ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp

Don't think there is a "definitive" way to long line with 2 jigs, don't be afraid try different things, jig sizes, colors, etc., as what works today won't tomorrow. I've used heavy on top and bottom, light on top or bottom, light on both, so just try it and see what happens.

I always put the heaviest jig first. The lighter jig will flutter behind and run near the same depth as heavier top jig. Looks like a wounded baitfish and seems to draw more bites. With the heavier jig on the bottom the baits are more vertical and have less action. They also run different depths and tend to snag more. Try it with half your rods rigged each way and see what you like.

When spider rigging jigs sometimes I will run a heavier jig on the bottom. As I like my lines as close to a 90 degree angle to the rod as possible. This keeps your line straight down to ensure depth control.

Crappielimits, when spider riggin think about about lightening up on drown weight
just a little to change angle closer to about 35 degree thereby allowing jig to flow
through water, this will help you better when increasing or degreasing speed,
"fishin for effect" Only time we go to heavier down weights is when long -linging
off side of boat forcing the baits to run same a down-rigging effect - like a push
pull move ...Rear lines out 60 - 80'

Kinda got a way from the double rig long line. Main reason is when you hook up on a hybrid, gar, cat or even a crapiie somtimes lines get crossed and tangled. Which a lot of times it means cutting the line. And that means double the time rerigging. If your lucky that is only 1 but then sometimes it could be 2 or 3 or more. Rerigging just one bait each means all lines back in the water faster. :twocents

I use foam noodle (kind found at Walmart -swimming section for kids)
usually comes in five sections for couple bucks. Cut a foot or so and make up your double rigs ahead of time...........in tournament
i will have as high as 50 tied and ready. In case of tangle, cut, and tie on new
set up, back in business less than 2 minutes. When back home, cut out jigs, swivels etc and make knew.

Attachment 143737

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Originally Posted by fishin813

I use foam noodle (kind found at Walmart -swimming section for kids)
usually comes in five sections for couple bucks. Cut a foot or so and make up your double rigs ahead of time...........in tournament
i will have as high as 50 tied and ready. In case of tangle, cut, and tie on new
set up, back in business less than 2 minutes. When back home, cut out jigs, swivels etc and make knew.

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I don't use swivels when long-lining. Tie direct to the line. Long-lining is what crappielover is refering to.

I use the pre-tie sets for long-lining also......some lines out as far as 125 ft,
with the swivel ahead of hooks/jigs - you don't have a line twist, jigs also follow
more inline than tied idrectly to line.
Tangles just cut them away and tie on new double. also can quickly adjust
variation of jigs ( 2 - 32nd's) 1- 16th- 1-32nd) 2 - 16th's) 1-32 - 1/48th, 2-48th's)
combinations are much, much easier to snamp or tie on with pre-rig.

Use different set up for spider or tight lining.............. however, again do have
pre-sets made up for quick change outs..............

I never use swivels while longlining but that is my preference. I don't run doubles all the time but when I do I run the lighter jig on the bottom because I feel that it gives the bottom jig more action, but I don't know for a fact....Again, that is just my preference. I only use a loop knot on all my jigs. If I have to cut my line or if it breaks and I have to re-rig a double, I can usually do it in a minute or so, the longest part of the process is putting the line thru the eye of the jig head...(50+ year old eyes can really suck:banghead) Using the loop knot, also just my preference, is a good strong know and is the fastest knot I know of to tie. Getting back to the question you originally asked, I think it has already been answered. Stick with whats working for you and/or experiment both techniques....Good Luck!!

I always put the heavier jig on top. I am not an expert but the majority of the best trollers always do it that way. Try it and see if it works better.

I prefer doubles. Heavy jig on top. Any inconvenience it may cause (which is very little IMO) is worth the trouble 10x over with the amount of fish you catch in comparison to singles. If you get tangles don't try and untangle them. Cut and retie. A double rig can be tied much faster than trying to untangle a birds nest of line. This statement is for only longlining, I prefer singles when tightlining.

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Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

I prefer doubles. Heavy jig on top. Any inconvenience it may cause (which is very little IMO) is worth the trouble 10x over with the amount of fish you catch in comparison to singles. If you get tangles don't try and untangle them. Cut and retie. A double rig can be tied much faster than trying to untangle a birds nest of line. This statement is for only longlining, I prefer singles when tightlining.

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Just a question out of curiosity. I havent got into long lining but do spider rig and run double rigs. You say that its worth the hassle to run a double long lining but you only run a single spider rigging. Wouldnt it be worth the hassle to run a double rig spider rigging basing it on the same principle you do long lining?? Ive tried to talk myself into only running one rig spider rigging as I have a couple of buddies who run them with very good success but I just havent talked myself into yet.

Not in my opinion handi. When I spiderrig I normally peg the fish at a certain depth. If I'm catching them at 10ft deep then that's where I put it. If I have a double and my bottom bait is at 10' and my top bait is a 7' I'm still gonna catch most of the fish at 10' where I have established they are holding. I'm not saying you won't catch any on the top bait, I have many times. I just don't see a noticeable difference when using doubles. A fish will rise 2-3ft to hit a bait. If your tightlining your probably not going too fast (in most cases) and the fish have more time to react to a bait, so having one should be enough (in my opinion). When longlining your sometimes moving upwards of 1.5-1.6 and the first jig might fly by the fish and as he chases it he will probably spot the trailer and smack it, where as with one they may decide to stop chasing it......just my thoughts on doubles. I do know they work.

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Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

Not in my opinion handi. When I spiderrig I normally peg the fish at a certain depth. If I'm catching them at 10ft deep then that's where I put it. If I have a double and my bottom bait is at 10' and my top bait is a 7' I'm still gonna catch most of the fish at 10' where I have established they are holding. I'm not saying you won't catch any on the top bait, I have many times. I just don't see a noticeable difference when using doubles. A fish will rise 2-3ft to hit a bait. If your tightlining your probably not going too fast (in most cases) and the fish have more time to react to a bait, so having one should be enough (in my opinion). When longlining your sometimes moving upwards of 1.5-1.6 and the first jig might fly by the fish and as he chases it he will probably spot the trailer and smack it, where as with one they may decide to stop chasing it......just my thoughts on doubles. I do know they work.

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Makes sense.... I was just curious your thinking. And I think u are correct in that a great percentage of time it is the bottom hook u catch em on using doubles spider rigging.

I agree with SYG on doubles for long lining vs singles. Singles only while spider
rigging varies depending on number of times you have fished a lake and your out
to cover ground looking.
Rubberized net will give a person more confidence about using doubles as hooks will
not tangle as much, whereas, nylon or old cotton style netting will really tax
ones nerves. Rubber coated is somewhat lighter than full rubber when on end of
long pole.

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Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

Not in my opinion handi. When I spiderrig I normally peg the fish at a certain depth. If I'm catching them at 10ft deep then that's where I put it. If I have a double and my bottom bait is at 10' and my top bait is a 7' I'm still gonna catch most of the fish at 10' where I have established they are holding. I'm not saying you won't catch any on the top bait, I have many times. I just don't see a noticeable difference when using doubles. A fish will rise 2-3ft to hit a bait. If your tightlining your probably not going too fast (in most cases) and the fish have more time to react to a bait, so having one should be enough (in my opinion). When longlining your sometimes moving upwards of 1.5-1.6 and the first jig might fly by the fish and as he chases it he will probably spot the trailer and smack it, where as with one they may decide to stop chasing it......just my thoughts on doubles. I do know they work.

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I"m glad I read this string. I never thought of putting the heavier jig on top. It just seemed logical to put the heavier jig on the bottom to pull the line out and make the top jig travel at a different depth. I also never thought about one jig being a trailer like on a spinner bait but it makes sense that the fish would see it that way. I am definately going to try this the next time I go out! Ain"t it interesting how us humans with big brains spend so much time trying to out think fish!rotfl

Doesn't have much to do with this thread but here's what I do :twocents occasionally with my long-lines. I seem to land em all with this rig. The treble is a #2X and I dip the eye of it in silicone....that way when I put it over the jig hook it stays until you thread it off. Sorry about the picture not coming out that good.:twocents

Attachment 144008

How does the jig run with the treble on? Is it smooth?

clever idea Mike, never seen that done before,

SyG has good question " how does it run" ???
The way you working it, is almost like a minny - lipless crankbait which work
quite well at certain times of year and in certain stained water.
Providing you cut off the 3 rd hook of treble to make if run smooth against
body of bait

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Originally Posted by fishin813

clever idea Mike, never seen that done before,

SyG has good question " how does it run" ???
The way you working it, is almost like a minny - lipless crankbait which work
quite well at certain times of year and in certain stained water.
Providing you cut off the 3 rd hook of treble to make if run smooth against
body of bait

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I don't think they interfere especially using on a sickle hook.....I didn't mention.... you will hook up some bream. I use to buy them at Gander but they quit handling them. They were red hooks with a rubber stuff over the eye, but I found the silicone works just as well. I figured the more hooks in their mouth the better...:dono Like I said.....just my 2 cents.....I was feeling left out.......I'm not longlining expert.:Rofl

Somthing worth looking into and experimenting with.

Mike, have you ever worked with Planer Boards Or Dixie Divers ?

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Originally Posted by fishin813

Somthing worth looking into and experimenting with.

Mike, have you ever worked with Planer Boards Or Dixie Divers ?

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I have a planer board but never used it....might try it though.

my thinking with planer boards, you can get lines out further from boat when
working in clearer water, thereby, possibility of not spooking fish..............
This seems to be very popular up North Canada & Lake Erie for Walleye fishing.
To me the Spec in Florida and his antics are similar to Walleye's up North.
They will hit same style baits, their eyes are bothered by light (light senitive)
They can and will feed enywhere in water column, love to suspend...list kinda goes
on and on with how they match up.
Down riggin, planer boards are very common when fishing for Wallege.
Same should be for Spec... if used correctly, could elimate the need for the
16 - 18 & 20' rods that at times can feel like lifting a ton with fish on business end.
Could minds at ease with "20 foot rod, saying now i have him hooked, how do i get
him in without commin off. just kinda thinking out loud "out of the box" Might be
good for another topic to work with.