I never understood why, on those two hook bottom rigs, they use heavy duty mono, shock beads, good crimps and then the shoddiest ever quick release snap that will open on the first big fish. I’m sitting here upgrading a dozen of them to heavier duo-lock snaps at the business end.
Funny you mention that. We had several pre-made rigs with the same problem. Quality Chinese stuff I’m sure.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Yeah the quality is subpar. They are only good for one use. After that they are too weak from the salt to hold up. I find its best to make your own.
“I believe in the cosmos. All of us are linked to the cosmos. So nature is my god. To me, nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals. Being at one with nature”
Yea I’ve always made my own too. It only takes 1 minutes to make a simple double hook bottom rig and you’ll know it’s done right and economically.
I cannot use snaps that don’t have a hook to lock them snapped with the rare exception of a freshwater application or two.
BTW what do shock beads do? I’ve never used them and have only had 1 or 2 leaders break over several seasons. That was just due to the leader being overused.
First, Most, Biggest
I want to catch them all
shock beads, (at least thats what I call them), are the little orange or red plastic spacer beads you can add to your rigs. Lets say I’m maling a carolina rig but with a really heavy sinker, and i don’t want the sinker to slam the knot to my swivel over and over being that the sinker floats around as it pleases on the main line. a couple plastic beads in in line on the knot will protect the integrity of the knot
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
It’s cheaper over the long run to get a spool of mono and tie your own rigs with dropper loops. I use small chicken rigs for spadefish and the like and big ones (130lb mono, 16 oz lead balls, 5" glow squids above the hooks) for halibut in AK. Very easy to tie rig and effective for fish that aren’t too smart.
I’m with Rap on that one. Most of the store bought rigs are junk compared to what you can make on your own in 30 seconds if you know what you’re doing. One spool of mono for 10 bucks and ive literally got 100s of rigs. Don’t waste your money on those pre made rigs. Another tip, when you have a bunch of bottom rigs tied up wrap them in aluminum foil individually and throw them in a bucket or bag. When you break off a rig , just tear open the foil and tie the next rig on. The foil keeps them all tangle free. Less tangles = more fishing!
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
So let’s talk about this for a moment. 80 lb mono, about a yard of line, one end a larger loop for the sinker, the other end a smaller loop to attach to a swivel and in between two looped dropper loops made with four or five loops and pulling the line threw one of the twists. That’s it , right?
On one end you will tie a swivel directly to the line or crimp it. 80 lb is about where I like to start using crimps. You’ll have two dropper loops tied on the rig and at the bottom either a small loop for the sinker or a snap swivel depending on the type of sinker you plan on using. Use small strong hooks. You don’t need any huge hooks bottom fishing. Big hooks will hook less fish.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
I dig it on the DIY rigs guys, I just had a boatload of those lying around. I haven’t broken out my coastal tackle boxes in over a year. I’m a river striper hunter day to day. I’m onboard though. Just didnt wanna throw these away, Or use them the way they WERE. lol
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
thumbs up on the small hooks, just buy quality and they’ll hold big reds Owner and VMC for me
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
The aluminum foil idea is great.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
I really like the foil because I wad it up into a ball and throw it into my trash bucket once I use it. No plastic bags to blow into the ocean on the trip home.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
I think Rap and I use the same DIY rigs , fished the salt for 60 or so
years, had to stand on bottom rail just to reach over top rail to cast, and my 1-2-3 hook drop rigs consist of hook and weight only, no
beads ,swivels ,snaps , or crimps. I carry all my extra hooks in small
plastic snap box and weights in pocket , cooler for fish and bait,
good to go !!!
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author unknown
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomQuality Chinese stuff I’m sure.
Maybe? Or a company trying to save a few pennies…per hundred units. Either way, not just the snap swivels, but I have had the crimps fail. I only use the beaded double rigs. The beads kinda help “float” the bait reducing tangles…adds a little color. I get my rigs from a small bait shop near me, they are well made with 50#-60# class snaps and slide lock style weight holder. They hold up well, even after a 100 baby Sharpies chomp on them. Have had hooks get straightend by big Rays before snaps fail. I’ll usually get a dozen or so at a time. When you pay for them, they put them in a paper bag. I just put the bag in my pack.
“There’s a fine line between fishing and standing in the surf like an idiot.”