Rod lengths for spider rigging

[Countrytime]

ShortStorie 12 come to a case.

[Slabo]

I like the BnM slo trol poles they have a real seat on them with eyes and they aren't too expensive. I stagger the poles using four 13' and six 16.5 I also use different color line on them stren gold on the 16.5 and solar xt green on the 13' this works out great if you get your lines crossed it makes it much easier to get them apart.

[ShilohRed]

I use 8 that are 14ft some times.
Other times I have 6 that are 14ft and 2 hat are 16ft.
But not a problem running all of them the same length.
Pete

[ShortStorie]

Thanks for all the responses. Shopping I go. I particularly like the idea of using two different colors of line to make untangling easier. Gonna try it... as soon as I get everything else bought and rigged, that is.

[CritterGitter]

I have not done much spider rig fishing. One question I have about this method of fishing is say your slo trolling along and your 16' rod snags a tree in 5 fow. Do you guys snap many rods? Do the light wire hooks save your rods in this scenario? Do you use light line leaders so the line breaks. I just envision major issues with slow trolling a bunch of long rods in shallow water structure.

CG

[Countrytime]

No snapped rods at all. I fish with Wally Marshall baitcasters not the round type, but the regular type. When the pole goes down just pick the rod straight up in the air completely vertical out of the rod holder while depressing the thumb bar to let the line go slack, all at the sametime and the line will be in your face once vertical, then quickly grab the line and pull it back toward you with your hands and bingo it is off just that quick. As long as you have not passed the snag your on ,you will get the lure back 95% of the time. Even if you go pass the snag a little bit , just use the length of the pole to snatch back the opposite way. When the length of the pole will not allow you to snatch it back the opposite way then you are at the point circling back with the boat. To me this is the main advantage over long lining you can troll stumps and still get you lure back. This takes practice and must be done very quickly for it to work. Just remember if a pole is bending hit the thumb bar, hit the thumb bar, and I say again hit the thumb bar and you will never break a pole. There is one exception you must have the magnetic brake tighten up good or you will get a backlash when you depress the thumb bar and won't be able to get the slack, this can cause a pole to get broken as the boat moves forward with a tight line unless you quickly cut the line. Use 8 or 10 lb test. Personally I use 8 lb. test.

[CritterGitter]

Thanks for the insight Countrytyme. I see the importance of "hit the thumbar." lol I guess with spinning gear a light drag setting could be very advantageous as well. I think I even heard of people bending their jig hooks with pliers prior to tying on so they will bend open more readily. I suppose it would be relative to say "chance favors the prepared." Don't know where I heard that, but I always liked that catchy little phrase. So, if I were to go out spider rigging and break a rod then it would likely be because I wasn't prepared or I wasn't paying attention.

I can't really get in the game of competitive crappie fishing just yet, but I hope to soon. I have fished a handful of touneys and I absolutely LOVE it. So, when I can hit it on a regular basis I will want this technique in my arsenal so all I can learn in advance is helpful. Thanks!

CG