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Originally posted by Fortunate SonWe used to run one daisy chain off one cleat on heavy mono you could pull in by hand. I was never sure how much good it did as it was always in the prop wash. Not sure if you use a downrigger but I love them on a small boat. You can run a bait off it and get it down below the prop wash, and have the option of replacing the bait with a small dredge. Dredges can be crazy expensive or dirt cheap but IMO are more effective than surface teasers. I made my first one years ago with a spreader bar from walmart and some of those plastic squids you can buy in bulk for nothing and I am not sure the nicer multi-tiered ones I use now work any better. The one thing I would suggest is not to overdo it. Run you spread based on conditions and your available crew. On a calm day with a bunch of help you can load up the spread, but with a cross wind or a limited crew you are much better off running a smaller spread that runs correctly and that can be managed efficiently if there is a bite.
Good advice here.
Less is more when you got fish running every which way. Takes a good crew to boat fish…everybody. You’ll have to take fish off the sides if you got outboards.
I run my teasers off the cleat and hand wrap them in for practice on wrapping leaders.
As far as putting a hook on a daisy chain, can get gamey trying to gaff a big fish on a 20 foot daisy chain…ir losing your hand in a bad wrap.
As far a s dredges/teasers go, you could drag beer cans with probably the same effect. The turbulence in the water is what counts IMO. I had a marlin wear out a white boat fender I was dragging and never showed any interest in a bait or lures. Could have free gaffed him but it was fun watching him/her come in and smack that fender.
Good luck and be safe.