Going to give spider rigging a good shot soon

I'm going to try something different in 2017.... spider rigging. Well, probably a mini version compared to most of you.... I'll only be using 4 poles for now. I ordered a 4 pole spyderlok holder and 4 southern crappie 14ft rods. That seems to be a good quality start.

I will not be spider rigging all the time, I still love to cast a jig and fill the thump, or tight line deep in a brush pile, but I know it is a technique that works so I need to have it in my arsenal. I also think that my 5 year old fishing buddy will enjoy it.

I have picked up so many tips on here already. Thanks to everyone that shares and helps on here all the time. Looking forward to putting more of the tips and knowledge to use.

Joe

It is so much fun, and relaxing to me. Not having to hold a pole all day, or cast and reel all day. Put the rods in the hoders and let the boat do the work.

Good Luck to you in 2017.

My 1st memory of spider riggin was dragging a cork and minner alongside the boat while we were casting for crappie ...

And then was noticing I was catching a respectable amount of fish on the cork and minner pole that wasn't even in my hands ...

So then I added a 2nd pole on the other side while we were casting ...and started catching on that pole also ...

Well that's how it starts sometimes ...

Rickie

A very relaxing way to fish & add to the arsenal, 4 poles will get it done.

It is a great tool to add to the tool box. Fun beyond belief when it starts happening fast. I also started with 4 and worked up to an 8 rod rig. Only some of the time can I run 8 rods, can't keep up with them all. Read and learn all you can and adapt it to the way you want to fish. Dead slow with without weight or faster with weight. Have fun and keep us posted.

I don't fish any other way!

Thanks guys. It's going to be a lot different for me because I am mostly a brush pile fisherman.

I hope you will follow up with a report of how you like that setup, I have been planning on taking a dip in the spider rigging pool this coming year and have been planning to buy the same list of equipment you mentioned. Good luck!

Ive been spider rigging for 3 yrs now, and in my opinion there is no better way to catch Crappie in the Summer, I wills say it takes a sharp eye and concentration to see the light bites, this is something my now 13 yr old Grandson struggles with late in the day. 4 poles is plenty.....once you see 2 or 3 go down, you will get busy real fast, I know when I fish alone it can be work, but this kind of work is always good. Good luck

ps. Ive been using cheap spinning reels, but watched a video from Ed Duke (Southern Crappie) the other day, and he was using what looked to be a fly reel. I may see about finding some for next year, they wouldnt take up nearly as much room on the deck of the boat, and as long as they had a decent drag they could be a better choice.

Favorite way to get serious and catch crappie. Still like holding a couple poles by hand over a brush pile or a short rod under a low bridge. But spider rigging puts the meat in the boat. Only dislike of it is when You find a brushpile with your spread. That can ruin a good 30 minutes. But when You got 2, 3, or 4 poles going down at the same time, ain't nothing like it and its a chinese fire drill for sure. Then there is that 10 pound striper or catfish that will hit, have their way with all your rods and turn 8 rods into a giant knot. That is always fun!CF

What reels do you guys like? I saw the ones Ed Duke is using (fly reel).... I read a lot of people like baitcasters with thumb bars.... I like spinning reels on my other stuff. I've never tried a baitcaster for crappie, but understand how the thumb bar would help. Any suggestions on specific reels? I would like to avoid buying something I will regret.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by akaslyguy

What reels do you guys like? I saw the ones Ed Duke is using (fly reel).... I read a lot of people like baitcasters with thumb bars.... I like spinning reels on my other stuff. I've never tried a baitcaster for crappie, but understand how the thumb bar would help. Any suggestions on specific reels? I would like to avoid buying something I will regret.

---

Only advice I can give on BC reels is to buy a low profile one with the thumb bar.
None of the three I use are the same brand, but all three are low profile w/thumb bar. Heck, they don't even have the same size/color/type of main line on them :Rofl

If you have a local bait shop that has a consignment shelf, you can get some good quality reels at a decent price. If not, you can always keep your eye on the Personal Classifieds Forum & watch for Locator79 to put some up for sale, or some of the other members.

Some of my buddies use spinning reels & just keep the drag loose enough to hand strip line out to land fish (when fishing shallow with long rods). The Shimano IX series reels they use are fairly inexpensive.

Any cheap spinning reel will work for spider rigging as long as it has a smooth drag. The reel is mainly for depth control and extra line when You break off or reeling in a fish from water deeper than the length of Your rod. I like the front drag models. rear drag is more convenient to adjust when the knobs are facing you in the rod holders but I don't like the preset settings of the rear drag. I set mine before the trip and leave them alone. If I know its set right to start with, all is good. Just one thing less to worry with and when You spider rig, think simplicity. Make things as simple as you can for yourself cause it can get complicated real quick especially the rigs.CF

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by akaslyguy

What reels do you guys like? I saw the ones Ed Duke is using (fly reel).... I read a lot of people like baitcasters with thumb bars.... I like spinning reels on my other stuff. I've never tried a baitcaster for crappie, but understand how the thumb bar would help. Any suggestions on specific reels? I would like to avoid buying something I will regret.

---

I just purchased eight of the 14' Southern Crappie Rods for spider rigging and tight lining. I put No. 8 Tackle Cold Gear Inline Reel Silver & Black Left Hand CGI-LH on them as I like the inline system but didn't want to use a fly reel.

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...psqiwsmmj0.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps66ms84zt.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...psiw8pee4n.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...psinxspqia.jpg

nice reel.....

Nice. Make my 23. Zebco 202 s look cheap. Oh wait a minute they are. Just line holders, but they have a drag. Lol

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jtresn

Nice. Make my 23. Zebco 202 s look cheap. Oh wait a minute they are. Just line holders, but they have a drag. Lol

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk

---

LOL....

A good drag is important due to the fact that you WILL catch the occasional bass, stripe, catfish or gar.

Agree you need a decent drag. I have a hodge podge of cheaper spinning reels but all have instant anti-reverse and front spool drag. I keep the drag loose to adjust depth based on what the fish finder is showing me. Find fish or structure at say 20' then I measure the length of the rod (I use 14' rods) and then strip of 6' of line in one foot increments

How much do those reels cost? I like the look of them especially if the drag is pretty decent. May have to invest in a few

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KAYAKLIPJERKER

I just purchased eight of the 14' Southern Crappie Rods for spider rigging and tight lining. I put No. 8 Tackle Cold Gear Inline Reel Silver & Black Left Hand CGI-LH on them as I like the inline system but didn't want to use a fly reel.

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...psqiwsmmj0.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps66ms84zt.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...psiw8pee4n.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n...psinxspqia.jpg

---

About $35 from what I found

I have decided to give spider rigging a go this year too. Is spider rigging mostly a post spawn technique?

Not at all. Some people fish that way year round. I spider rig and long line most of the time. Hardly ever do any casting or vertical jigging but I plan on trying it some this year.

You glinted to be hooked once you try it. Do try not to let the frustration on tangling all your poles up make you want to quit. For sure there is going to be a white bass or catfish or big crappie for that matter that eventually is going o wrap them all up. It happens. Just cut em off and retie its faster lol


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I only spider rig 12 months of the year. Frustration and getting hung or tangled when a big fish runs through multiple lines is going to happen. The numbers of fish you catch will make it worth the effort. I use a locking snap swivel on the end of my main line to make changing rigs easier. Keep several rigs pre tied and ready to swap out when needed. There is lots of good info on this sight. Read it and find out what works best for you.

Learn to laugh at yourself, or it will drive you nuts. It is unbelievable how many fish you can put in the boat. It is also unbelievable how quickly it can turn into total chaos.

I use Abu Garcia Hank Parker baitcast reels. They have the flipping switch and not having to spin the handle to engage the reel makes it so much simpler to adjust depth or strip out line when I try to net a fish and bring it into the boat. The Abu Garcia Silver Max is another with flipping switch and about the same price range on EBAY

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gabepeeps

How much do those reels cost? I like the look of them especially if the drag is pretty decent. May have to invest in a few

---

I found them on EBay from $35-$38 with free shipping. There's enough vendors that sell them with free shipping that you shouldn't have to pay for it. I purchased eight so I ended up buying from several EBay vendors but all the shipping was free.

I've been wanting to try this, but all the cover and stripers have me thinking it wouldn't work here

I hope to give it a try myself, after this summer heat. I got 2 Melinium SR holders, thinking about 6 of the 12 footers, Jenko Slab City, with cheap Shimano IX1000R reels with drag knob on rear of reel, I plan on using around 1/2 ounce weight and double jig, crossline swivel.
curious what pound test to use? normally use 4 lbs for sensitivity
also curious how deep to run the jig? I guess as deep as the electronics say they are. haha
got a raymarine dragonfly 7 i like it , great graphics and simple menu

I ordered a set of Shimano IX 100R on ebay $9.99 free shipping no tax
Shimano IX 1000R Spinning Reel Rear Drag 4.1:1 Ratio 140/4Lb | eBay copy/paste

I use 8lb line on my rigging rods. For depth settings look at what your sonars telling you and play around from there to find the sweet spot.

For you guys who have been doing this awhile do you start out by finding fish with your electronics and then target them or just target creek channels, drop offs, structure? I too just started spider rigging but it's been more like multi pole fishing over some brush and around submerged trees. Not really had much luck yet but only been out a few times. Curious how this tactic is applied this time of year when the fish seem to be moving shallower.

I have been hooked for a year on spider rigging / pushing n pulling
A lot of times i will follow contour lines on bigger reservoirs, when not at my home shallow lake, use your electronics to find bait at a consistent depth and fish should be in the middle and underneath of bait balls
set depth of jigs at middle of bait ball depth and at underneath bait ball
alternate rods at depth ( 1 3 5 7 below - 2468 in middle or top of bait ball)
just a suggestion you got to find your own style but mostly what works for you
your gonna hang up, just be patient and stay calm, when i do I try to go out into open and deeper water so i don't hang up more rods. The more you hang up the more you learn why you hung up and if it could have been prevented, but its gonna happen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by yogib

For you guys who have been doing this awhile do you start out by finding fish with your electronics and then target them or just target creek channels, drop offs, structure? I too just started spider rigging but it's been more like multi pole fishing over some brush and around submerged trees. Not really had much luck yet but only been out a few times. Curious how this tactic is applied this time of year when the fish seem to be moving shallower.

---