Help: Spider Rigging Set Up

[tru3vol]

so I hear a lot about pushing jigs. I know it's a bit faster. what is the set up? still using cc rig? 1/8th or 1/16th on bottom with a BG / PA?

[CrappiePappy]

so I hear a lot about pushing jigs. I know it's a bit faster. what is the set up? still using cc rig? 1/8th or 1/16th on bottom with a BG / PA?

"Pushing" jigs, as I understand it, is basically spider rigging a jig with added weight and higher speeds. It's "pushing", as opposed to "pulling" or "longline trolling", because the rods are pointed towards or running out the front of the boat.

Personally, I'm running a 1/2oz barrel sinker above the leader line with one jig tied on. The leader is about 1.5-2ft in length. The jigheads are generally 1/16oz, but I have used heavier ones.

Starting with the main line, I slip the barrel sinker on, then a plastic bead (with a hole big enough to slip over the knot), then I tie on a duo-lock snap. I keep an assortment of leaders/jigheads wrapped around a section of "pool noodle" so I can change out jigs fairly easily & rapidly, should I want to change size or color or in the event I break off. The leader is simply a section of 6# test line, with a loop knot on one end & the jighead tied on the other end.

I only have three 14' rods, currently ... and in some of the places I fish, that's about all I can control. I'm still in the beginning stages of learning this technique, but it has proved itself to be quite a good option in certain circumstances.

I use a variety of brands/styles of plastics on my jigs ... but mostly I use the stinger shad style. But, yeah, I have had success using tubes, boot tail grubs, "carrot" shaped bodies, "Shadpoles", and even "Jokers".

[tru3vol]

Well needless to say I am sold on this method.. fishing was slow today but caught 45-50 crappie, 20 keepers, lost 4 keepers trying to haul in with 14ft rods (I'll be looking for a telescopic dip net to fix this issue) also picked up a 18" and 20" walleye, what a nice surprise should have seen that 14ft southern crappie flex!

We boated a ton more fish than the other boats in the area and I credit that to the fact that we had exponentially more baits in the strike zone due to this technique.

Learned a lot today and still have a great deal to learn but my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our day on the water and that's what it's all about.

Thanks again all for the tips and tricks in this thread.

Tight lines!

[Yaker]

Very good thread,so I hope I'm not high jacking.I fish from a kayak,my trolling motor is not a variable speed,so I'm handicapped on speed control.I troll or longline with two rods,mounted on a dashboard in front of my seat.ive tried placing my rods in various set ups ( one high,one low,both on same side,one on each side,but always long lining.)
My question is,if I spider rig with two rods one on each side of the bow,knowing my speed will be a bit faster,making my rigs hang at at least 45° angle,can I use small cranks,and jigs? ,and will I be able to turn without the typical cross over I deal with now when long lining.I know this is a lot of questions,but I'm looking for others experiences,thanks.

[trypman1]

Excellent thread, folks- keep it going!

[CrappiePappy]

Very good thread,so I hope I'm not high jacking.I fish from a kayak,my trolling motor is not a variable speed,so I'm handicapped on speed control.I troll or longline with two rods,mounted on a dashboard in front of my seat.ive tried placing my rods in various set ups ( one high,one low,both on same side,one on each side,but always long lining.)
My question is,if I spider rig with two rods one on each side of the bow,knowing my speed will be a bit faster,making my rigs hang at at least 45° angle,can I use small cranks,and jigs? ,and will I be able to turn without the typical cross over I deal with now when long lining.I know this is a lot of questions,but I'm looking for others experiences,thanks.

If you put some weight on the main line you should be OK with pushing jigs or cranks. Depending on what your rods can handle, you could start out with 1/2oz and work your way up to 2oz to see what weights & speeds work best to keep your lines at a 45deg angle. Just understand that a 45deg angle is mainly used for calculating the depth your bait is running, by multiplying the length of line out (below the surface) by 0.6 (approximate depth of your weight)

But, you just have to remember that when you're using weights above your baits, that you have to be constantly moving forward (esp w/cranks) ... even when hung up or landing a fish ... otherwise the weight on the other rod(s) is going to pull your bait towards the bottom. Not too bad a deal if the depth of water you're in is greater than the length of line out, and you're in open water or over a fairly clear bottom.

Now, in your case, since you're only running two rods ... one gets hung, then open the reel and put it back in the holder & reel the other one up ... then go back and try to free the hung bait. Get on the other side of where you are hung and drop the weight down ... that'll usually free a hung jig. Not so sure about a hung crank, though ... but they do make "lure knockers" that will do the trick (sometimes).

As far as turning & not crossing lines ... you should be OK, as long as you don't make a "Bat Turn"

And I know how you feel ... I run a 12v 42lb thrust 5speed trolling motor on my 16' ProCraft ... and can't keep a constant speed. I can't get 1.8mph crank pushing speed out of it, or maintain those speeds for more than a few hours. Now, pushing jigs at 0.6 - 0.8mph I'm good to go. That was on a series 27 battery, which died after 4yrs ... so I went to a series 29. Haven't tested it "pushing" yet, but the times I have used it ... it seems like it will extend my pushing time by several hours or more. I hope, anyway. Otherwise I'll have to spend a few grand on trolling motor, rewiring for 24v, contour line map card, etc.

[Yaker]

Good info,I'm stoked to experiment with different techniques of spider rigging.Longlining seems to be the favorite way for folks around here,and I have been successful doing it except for the dang cross overs in the turns on our narrow lakes.