Spider rig setup

If you guys were going to put a spider rig setup in a 16' aluminum boat what would it be setup like? What type of rod holders, fish finder, rods, seats..... I really want to get started spider rigging, but the amount of products out there is overwhelming... especially when looking at fish finders :dono. I'm not necessarily looking to go the cheap route, because I realize that can cause more headaches than the savings are worth. But keep in mind there's a reason i'm fishing out of a $6,000 aluminum boat and not a $40,000 sparkler. :biggrin Any help is appreciated!

Are you wanting to fish 2 people on front?
#1 SpiderLock rod holders. Best made right now. Board sponsor.
#2 one of the new 600 series Humminbirds or the Elite 5 or 7 Lowrance. Check BBG marine for electronics. He also has some good buys on a couple of 5 series birds.
#3 I have been very happy with a set of Southern Crappie rods. Also have B&M PST's and Pinnacal limit rods.
#4 Millenium seats from E-Z Poleholder on here same as Rod Holders. Or Tempress HighBack.
#5 I would buy and install 3/4 pin bases if double fishing. If you don't want that then get with Blackland lure on here on one of his Dub-L-Seat mounts. Strongest made. He has some YouTube videos on them.

A lot depends on your budget.

Pretty much agree with Cray, but you didn't say if the 16' boat had a flat floor in it. that would change some of the above.

I started with a 542 wareagle. Hand trolling motor, A 4 pole driftmaster, cuda 168, 4 b&m's 10' and 11'. Caught lots of fish without spending a fortune. Crappie were then costing about $75 a lb. I have since upgraded boats and equipment. Now crappie cost about $150 a lb, but they seem to taste better.

What kind of boat are you wanting to rig?

At the moment I have a 1650 Alumacraft. And yes I would prefer to fish 2 people out of the boat.

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Originally Posted by RCC

I started with a 542 wareagle. Hand trolling motor, A 4 pole driftmaster, cuda 168, 4 b&m's 10' and 11'. Caught lots of fish without spending a fortune. Crappie were then costing about $75 a lb. I have since upgraded boats and equipment. Now crappie cost about $150 a lb, but they seem to taste better.

What kind of boat are you wanting to rig?

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And the truth shall you free!

I have a 16' aluminum jon boat and I have installed a motor guide 46lb trolling motor in the front with two Bee Ready 4 pole rod holders with two mounts up front and two in back. I am soon to buy a Hummingbird 899c side imaging unit to mount up front as well between the rod holders.
My front is a v hull and all fits well on the front deck with a seat.
As for rods, if you are gonna troll 10-14 foot poels work well and BnM does have good rods for crappie. You can find cheaper also. As long as you take care of the rod it shouldn't matter what kind you have. Same for reel.
You can use any sonar you want depending on how much you want to spend. Hummingbird is usually your best bet, I currently have a lowrance elite 4 dsi which only cost $350. You can get good ones from Lowrance or Hummingbird. Just shop around and go to a store to get a first hand look and help from vendor on each one.
Seats are easy to find and can be bought for as little as $25 for the padded ones and up in price for the nicer ones. Buy what you like or feel is comfortable.
Hope this helps.

The spyderlock stuff is ok but I like my Hi-tecs

spot on with cray. exactly how i got my boat set up. the only thing that i would add is these refurb'ed thumb bar release bait casting reels. very inexpensive but work great.. i use viscious hi-viz 6 and 10# test line, also very inexpensive. good luck. WS

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Hey eagle 1, where did you get the trail rod rack from?

I have the same boat but rigging it up for double seat up front.

Eagle....looks like EZ Pole's rod holders. I have a pair and really like them..

I would get 14' poles at least. I started with 12' and quickly went to 14'. When I get better at it, I MAY look at 16'. Thumb release reels are great....refurb'ed one are cheap enough. Good luck.

Here's a good idea if you're just deciding if spider rigging is right for you and don't want to spend the bucks to get a permanently mounted holder like the Spyder Locs or Hi Teks. i'm still waiting on his second video on this deal.
How to Troll Part 1

I myself gave a 17 ft aluminum and I use ez t pole perch rod holders and double seat mount. The ez t pole perch double seat mount can quickly be folded and put out of the way if you want to change up your style of fishing during the day. The quality is second to none and the price is very affordable. I catch big slabs on ky lake and these rod holders hold up to the abuse. Just my opinion

I just started spider rigging four months ago fishing tournaments. I am running a 1648 Landau Tunnel. I have six foot front deck and had a 54 great white hand steer up front and it killed my back after 8 hours of reaching out to steer while trolling during fishing tournaments so I now run 55lb foot control and it is great. Single seat up front and a pair of Hi Tec's at about 45 Degree's on each side. running 6-16 and two 10's up front by myself. I use bait casters because it is easy letting out line when you are trying to net a fish when you are only fishing 4-5 feet deep with the 16 footers. I would love to have a 20' bass boat but limited funds at the moment. I can't say enough good things about the guys here in the Florida tournaments that I fish. If you ask they will tell you how and were to fish and give pointers. I just love to fish and compete, I fished bass tournaments for years and the Crappie guys are hands down more friendly and helpful than any bass guys I ever fished with. I use BNM and Southern Pro and Pinnacles and they all work just fine. I will tell you that on the St Johns tournament I had about a ten pound cat fish hit a jig and bent one of the BNMs slap under the front of the boat like a willow limb and it did not break. I was impressed for sure. The only Down side of the flat bottom Aluminum boat is if the wind is blowing you are limited to were you can fish, and that sucks. Also have a Elite 5 up front to monitor speed and depth the second most important thing on boat besides the life jacket:)

If you are near Paragould will be glad to show you my setup

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Originally Posted by jmike

hey eagle 1, where did you get the trail rod rack from?

I have the same boat but rigging it up for double seat up front.

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the actual carrier rack came from monks and was finished homemaid . The trolling rack is e-z . Dang wing nuts and wrenches !I left another brand trolling rack in back if someone wants to go . I don't have room up front for two . :biggrin