Thread: Tandem-rig fishing

I run tandem when fishing over 12' depths. I vary the weights of heads to create depth separation with heaviest combinations in middle of spread. Get way too many tangles fishing shallow lakes like Monroe for my likings. When fishing tandem jigs with different weights the heavier jig on top works best.

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I like to use tandem Doug, actually have went from 2 poles to 4....use a 3way swivel to avoid tangles, rig main line "in-line" w/longer lead bout 18" long & heavier jig, but mainly run (2) 1/16 oz jigs, will have the upper side take off lead about 6"-8" long.... advantages= 8 different colors on 4 poles along with curly, paddle, skirt, tube, ect... types... Don't do it myself, but can pre-rig & rap on swim noodle... for faster change out, also if 1 jig hangs up or Mr. Gar steals 1, you can keep fishing w/ the remaining jig.

Ive done it different ways but like mike said, I usually use the heavier on the bottom and up to a weightless offering on the top. I’ve used dropper loops, 3 way, and double tie to a swivel(in a pinch) with different length on the second offering. What works best for me is a 6” dropper or a 3 way if a longer leader is desired. Lately I use a 3 way with a split ring and duo lock snap on one leg and add 1/2oz to troll with shorter Lines and quicker turns. I use a 3 to 5 foot leader on this. 1/16 on the bottom and a 1/32 does good and doesn’t tangle much when the second jig is about half the length of the first. One I used in deep water in TN had an eight on the bottom and a weightless wooly bugger on a 6” dropper. It generated a lot of surprise fish. Crappie would be on the jig and another crappie or LMB or spotted bass would hit the bugger with abandon. Great fun. It’s worth playing with and decide if it works for you.

thanks for your input guys, any credence in last hook(long leader) outproducing the 1st? Up north, when using umbrella rigs for Stripers, the larger profile jig would generally follow the "school" of small profile baits. Some states limit the number of hooks in an umbrella rig to just one(typically the last bait).
u2s

Originally Posted by Speck Detector

I like to use tandem Doug, actually have went from 2 poles to 4....use a 3way swivel to avoid tangles, rig main line "in-line" w/longer lead bout 18" long & heavier jig, but mainly run (2) 1/16 oz jigs, will have the upper side take off lead about 6"-8" long.... advantages= 8 different colors on 4 poles along with curly, paddle, skirt, tube, ect... types... Don't do it myself, but can pre-rig & rap on swim noodle... for faster change out, also if 1 jig hangs up or Mr. Gar steals 1, you can keep fishing w/ the remaining jig.

Jeff- do you stay with same mono size on leaders vs. mainline or do you lighten up to facillitate better snag break offs?
u2s

Not a fan of double hook ups....I do like a teaser hook....offers two baits together....
Dab of silicone on the eye of a long shank hook....hook that one on to my jig hook....second bait runs right behind the first one....
Use to buy these at gander....called STINGERS...the eye of the second hook had a red rubber stuff on it that kept it on the jig hook....never been able to find any since

Doug, the production rates vary from day to day. Size has dictated catch rates sometimes for me too, with the smaller lighter bait outdoing-one day and the reverse the next. They are dumb fish, after all. No rhyme or reason. Once again, trying different tricks and seeing what’s hot that day. When I use two jigs I use the same size hook on both, just my thought there.

I run double hook rigs when spider rigging in deeper water. Loop knot with jig above 18-24" above a snap swivel, 12-18" leader with minnow hook tied to the eyelet of the snap swivel. I snap a 1/2-1ounce weight depending on how fast I'm fishing onto the snap swivel and fish 10 rods off the front this way. I started out with the jig on the bottom but found that I got a lot more snags that way. I went to the snap swivels so I can take the weight off when travelling any distance or trailering, as it seriously reduces the amount of tangles caused by the weight bouncing around.

You will see some days they eat the jigs more, some days they eat the minnow more, some days they change their mind halfway through, some days they eat everything, and some days they don't eat any of it. I've got fishing figured out about as well as I do women.