'Bait on the Hook Rig' (proven): Get some fresh herring strips and slice them into thin strips...across the long
axis...cross-wise...so that they are about 1-2inches long. Triangular wedges work good. Make sure there is a nice
piece of skin still attached (on your finger AND the herring!). Take any spoon/fly/squid to be run and hook 1-3 of
these tabs on. YUMMY! Smash some fat pigs!!!
Discussion: Very easy...for the lazy/cheap meat-runner-wanna-be...(like me). Probably not as killer a rig as a
rotating plug/strip/slab but it's a step in the right direction and can pick-up a slow day. You 'll have a lot of bait left
for the next trip, too! Sometimes the strips are soft and come off easily...other times they stay all day. Not sure
why...? You can rubber band them if they are mushy. Maybe a salt cure? Or that milk/salt mix? Don't put so
much on that you destroy the lures action. Don't drop any in your Pringles can either... (4/04)
axis...cross-wise...so that they are about 1-2inches long. Triangular wedges work good. Make sure there is a nice
piece of skin still attached (on your finger AND the herring!). Take any spoon/fly/squid to be run and hook 1-3 of
these tabs on. YUMMY! Smash some fat pigs!!!
Discussion: Very easy...for the lazy/cheap meat-runner-wanna-be...(like me). Probably not as killer a rig as a
rotating plug/strip/slab but it's a step in the right direction and can pick-up a slow day. You 'll have a lot of bait left
for the next trip, too! Sometimes the strips are soft and come off easily...other times they stay all day. Not sure
why...? You can rubber band them if they are mushy. Maybe a salt cure? Or that milk/salt mix? Don't put so
much on that you destroy the lures action. Don't drop any in your Pringles can either... (4/04)
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'Ear-plug on the Hook Rig' (unproven): Get a few green/yellow foam earplugs and slice long-ga-tude-a-lee
into 3-4 strips. Procure yourself a wee container to hold the strips and some liquid. Film canister works great.
Sqweeze the strips and place them in the canister whilst squirting your favorite sauce on them. Anise, garlic,
smelly jelly, Pro-Cure alewife sauce, or even some herring strips that you blended in the wifes processor. Let them
soak-up the stink and use like the strips above.
Discussion: Basically a variation of the above rig and perfect for the extremely anti meat runner. They stay on
forever. For my test I used Tournament Salmon sauce and bright green earplugs. Ran 1/2 the boat with (identical
lures) to 1/2 the boat with-out. Didn't seem to make a difference in several trips. So...really need more testing.
(4/04)
into 3-4 strips. Procure yourself a wee container to hold the strips and some liquid. Film canister works great.
Sqweeze the strips and place them in the canister whilst squirting your favorite sauce on them. Anise, garlic,
smelly jelly, Pro-Cure alewife sauce, or even some herring strips that you blended in the wifes processor. Let them
soak-up the stink and use like the strips above.
Discussion: Basically a variation of the above rig and perfect for the extremely anti meat runner. They stay on
forever. For my test I used Tournament Salmon sauce and bright green earplugs. Ran 1/2 the boat with (identical
lures) to 1/2 the boat with-out. Didn't seem to make a difference in several trips. So...really need more testing.
(4/04)
'Whiplash Rigger Line Rig' (unproven): Run 80lb Whiplash in place of downrigger wire to minimize blow-back
and silence wire hum.
the log shows the numbers fell. So...probably has its place/time just like everything else. A wire dipsy just barely
touching the taut whiplash will pop it and send the cannonball to bottom every time....3 times for me. (4/04)
and silence wire hum.
the log shows the numbers fell. So...probably has its place/time just like everything else. A wire dipsy just barely
touching the taut whiplash will pop it and send the cannonball to bottom every time....3 times for me. (4/04)
'60lb Wire for Rigger Rig' (proven): Run 60lb braided wire in place of 150lb? 200lb? stuff they usually sell.
Discussion: Works good. Less blow-back. Have run this for a few years now. I figure this is the year to rig 1 with
80/100lb and leave the other at 60lb. Should give 2 different tones in the water, right? I know the 60lb is diff than
the 200lb stuff. If I had 4 riggers I could mix em all and play some salmon chords! (4/04)
Discussion: Works good. Less blow-back. Have run this for a few years now. I figure this is the year to rig 1 with
80/100lb and leave the other at 60lb. Should give 2 different tones in the water, right? I know the 60lb is diff than
the 200lb stuff. If I had 4 riggers I could mix em all and play some salmon chords! (4/04)
'Stacking Riggers with Cookie-cutters' (proven): This is for the guys that like/have to run 2 riggers. Clip
main line of pole #1 to a small mini-diver. Clip one of your slider leaders to the lure end of the diver and clip a
TwinSlam!/small spoon to the other end. Have the diver weight turned so that it will pull away from the side of the
boat you are rigging. Let that rig out 10-20' and clip her in your release (I use rubber bands) at ball. Take pole
#2 and let it out (with lure) about 20-30'. Put your rubber band on and attach to rigger in same release as pole #1.
Have pole #1 in the outside holder and pole #2 on the inside. Let the whole rig down slow and smooth.
Discussion: This has put a lot more fish in the boat than stacking off of the wire the old way. With these lead
lengths I have never tangled. With longer leads you may risk tangling...but who cares if your bangin flabby kings?!
Of course, you can run just 1 line with the mini-disc to get the rig away from the ball too...I think that's what the
original cookie-cutter rig is. NOTE: Between setting pole #1 and pole #2 there is an excellent opportunity to yell at
the helmsman to "Keep the damn boat straight or I'm takin' away your beer!" (4/04)
main line of pole #1 to a small mini-diver. Clip one of your slider leaders to the lure end of the diver and clip a
TwinSlam!/small spoon to the other end. Have the diver weight turned so that it will pull away from the side of the
boat you are rigging. Let that rig out 10-20' and clip her in your release (I use rubber bands) at ball. Take pole
#2 and let it out (with lure) about 20-30'. Put your rubber band on and attach to rigger in same release as pole #1.
Have pole #1 in the outside holder and pole #2 on the inside. Let the whole rig down slow and smooth.
Discussion: This has put a lot more fish in the boat than stacking off of the wire the old way. With these lead
lengths I have never tangled. With longer leads you may risk tangling...but who cares if your bangin flabby kings?!
Of course, you can run just 1 line with the mini-disc to get the rig away from the ball too...I think that's what the
original cookie-cutter rig is. NOTE: Between setting pole #1 and pole #2 there is an excellent opportunity to yell at
the helmsman to "Keep the damn boat straight or I'm takin' away your beer!" (4/04)
'15' Lead to Dipsy' (proven): Run a 15-foot, 30lb leader to your best flasher/fly rig. Let her in the water and
get your leather drivin' gloves out!
Discussion: On those days when the dipsies are dead or slow...and you feel like going man-on-man with a slob
king...this is the rig! This has out fished the short (7' lead) dipsy on the other side of the boat very
consistently...it's just a bit of a pain to land the slobbers with. You WILL find a way becuz this rig works. Do I need
to explain the difficulties of bringin in 15' leader with an 7'-10' pole? I like to grab the rod when it goes off the first
time and then you can scream at your buddy, "NET THE FISH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! NET THE DAMN
FISH!!!" as he stretches way out, popping his spine. HA!.
Just tire the fish and either send the person with the pole up to the front of the boat or hand-line him in. You'll get
a system down pretty quickly. I bet an 80lb leader would be great for handlining. (4/04)
get your leather drivin' gloves out!
Discussion: On those days when the dipsies are dead or slow...and you feel like going man-on-man with a slob
king...this is the rig! This has out fished the short (7' lead) dipsy on the other side of the boat very
consistently...it's just a bit of a pain to land the slobbers with. You WILL find a way becuz this rig works. Do I need
to explain the difficulties of bringin in 15' leader with an 7'-10' pole? I like to grab the rod when it goes off the first
time and then you can scream at your buddy, "NET THE FISH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! NET THE DAMN
FISH!!!" as he stretches way out, popping his spine. HA!.
Just tire the fish and either send the person with the pole up to the front of the boat or hand-line him in. You'll get
a system down pretty quickly. I bet an 80lb leader would be great for handlining. (4/04)
'Pop and Pause' (proven): Anytime you bring in a dipsy or rigger, trip it then set it back in the rod holder. Let
the lure 'float' to the top before reeling in.
Discussion: The lure cruises upward thru the water column fishing the whole way. This will account for a few xtra
fish every season. Another opportunity to yell at your spouse/buddy/whoever when they try to reel the line up as
it's rising. (4/04)
the lure 'float' to the top before reeling in.
Discussion: The lure cruises upward thru the water column fishing the whole way. This will account for a few xtra
fish every season. Another opportunity to yell at your spouse/buddy/whoever when they try to reel the line up as
it's rising. (4/04)
'Key and Catch' (proven): Also called, 'Talking them on' or something like that. The jist of this little trick is to
occasionally key the mic on your radio. Just poppin it doesn't seem to work, but don't go sit on 68 and bang away
on your mic. But we have taken alot of fish/hits on an otherwise slow day just by chattin on the radio. Works with
cell phones too?
Discussion: This one's a bit of a stretch, eh? (4/04)
occasionally key the mic on your radio. Just poppin it doesn't seem to work, but don't go sit on 68 and bang away
on your mic. But we have taken alot of fish/hits on an otherwise slow day just by chattin on the radio. Works with
cell phones too?
Discussion: This one's a bit of a stretch, eh? (4/04)
'Down Jiggin' (proven): Set your rigger and let her run for a bit. Then crank her up 10' and let her run for a bit.
Then drop her back down 10'. Then up. Then down...repeat.
Discussion: This one's works often. I like to do rigger #1 then go do #2. Then one of the dipsies (see next entry).
Then back to rigger #1. Just keep mixing it up raising and dropping with about 5min runs in between. I think fish
are trailing and they hit with the change in speed/direction. (5/04)
Then drop her back down 10'. Then up. Then down...repeat.
Discussion: This one's works often. I like to do rigger #1 then go do #2. Then one of the dipsies (see next entry).
Then back to rigger #1. Just keep mixing it up raising and dropping with about 5min runs in between. I think fish
are trailing and they hit with the change in speed/direction. (5/04)
'Drop-back Dipsy' (proven): When you go to drop you dipsy back, drop her in ten's. So if you've been running at
100' and you want 150', drop it to 110' and giv'er a couple minutes. Then 120'...then 130'...'til you hit your desired
depth.
Discussion: This one's works too. I rotate around the boat changing different rigs depths in sequence. You can
pick some extra fish with these last 2 tricks. (5/04)
100' and you want 150', drop it to 110' and giv'er a couple minutes. Then 120'...then 130'...'til you hit your desired
depth.
Discussion: This one's works too. I rotate around the boat changing different rigs depths in sequence. You can
pick some extra fish with these last 2 tricks. (5/04)
'Magna-Jig Dipsy' (unproven): Run a Magna dipsy (the brand with the magnetic release) back...let's say 80'.
Let her run for a bit. Then trip it and stick her back in the holder while the rig 'floats' up. Then drop back to
engage the release and set her back in the holder. Repeat.
Discussion: I've done this quite a few times, but have never whacked a fish. I'm sure it will work...someday. (5/04)
Let her run for a bit. Then trip it and stick her back in the holder while the rig 'floats' up. Then drop back to
engage the release and set her back in the holder. Repeat.
Discussion: I've done this quite a few times, but have never whacked a fish. I'm sure it will work...someday. (5/04)
'Festival of Lead' (proven): Take 1 of your lead-core poles. Strip the lead-core line off. Throw as far and hard
as you can into an environmentally approved container. Relax. Ahhhh...no more pumping-in 100 yds of line...no
more tangles with other boats...no more waking at night screaming, "Watch-out for my lead! Watch out for my
lead!!!"
Spool back-up with Whip/mono and clip a 2/4/6oz trolling sinker (banana) to the pole end and a slider leader (4-6')
to the other. Clip on your favorite TwinSlam/spoon and let her out (50'-200'). Attach to board and let rig out. Now
keep varying your speed. Throw the boat in neutral. Hard S-turns. Speed-up...slow-down. Those sinkers will be
all over the place vertically and will cause the slobs to hit hard!
Discussion: Don't throw away your leadcore...it still catches fish. (5/04)
as you can into an environmentally approved container. Relax. Ahhhh...no more pumping-in 100 yds of line...no
more tangles with other boats...no more waking at night screaming, "Watch-out for my lead! Watch out for my
lead!!!"
Spool back-up with Whip/mono and clip a 2/4/6oz trolling sinker (banana) to the pole end and a slider leader (4-6')
to the other. Clip on your favorite TwinSlam/spoon and let her out (50'-200'). Attach to board and let rig out. Now
keep varying your speed. Throw the boat in neutral. Hard S-turns. Speed-up...slow-down. Those sinkers will be
all over the place vertically and will cause the slobs to hit hard!
Discussion: Don't throw away your leadcore...it still catches fish. (5/04)
'Crash the Bank' (proven): At the end of the trip or if fish don't seem to be goin, you can try "el smasho da
banko" Just turn 90 deg towards the nearest drop-off, grab the wheel tight, and troll right at her. When the
cannonballs tick bottom, snap/release the poles and pop em back in the holders...let them float-up...while you
crank the riggers up like mad!
Discussion: Some days fish just don't like a parallel troll. Other days you just can't get close enough running
along the bank. Can put a few extra fish in the box. We used to do this in the early 80's out of Elk Rapids.
There's a heck of a bank just to the south of the harbor. (6/04)
banko" Just turn 90 deg towards the nearest drop-off, grab the wheel tight, and troll right at her. When the
cannonballs tick bottom, snap/release the poles and pop em back in the holders...let them float-up...while you
crank the riggers up like mad!
Discussion: Some days fish just don't like a parallel troll. Other days you just can't get close enough running
along the bank. Can put a few extra fish in the box. We used to do this in the early 80's out of Elk Rapids.
There's a heck of a bank just to the south of the harbor. (6/04)
'Sdrawkcab Snoops Nur' (proven?): Speaking of the good ol' days...I once (or twice?) had an old beat-up
Northport nailer- green with a white back. Kings loved chewing on it. It was bent-up bad and I couldn't seem to
true it back up. So I swapped the hook to the opposite end...and caught fish!
Discussion: Need lots more experimentation. I just ran a spoon or 2 backwards last season...no fish. They were
new and not chewed..so...yah. They will wobble back and forth to a pretty fast clip- then there is a narrow band of
speed where they have a nice random action. Beyond that speed they spin like a mother. I ran single -hook R&R
spoons. Gotta go find some old Nailers...(6/04)
Northport nailer- green with a white back. Kings loved chewing on it. It was bent-up bad and I couldn't seem to
true it back up. So I swapped the hook to the opposite end...and caught fish!
Discussion: Need lots more experimentation. I just ran a spoon or 2 backwards last season...no fish. They were
new and not chewed..so...yah. They will wobble back and forth to a pretty fast clip- then there is a narrow band of
speed where they have a nice random action. Beyond that speed they spin like a mother. I ran single -hook R&R
spoons. Gotta go find some old Nailers...(6/04)
'Don't Touch the Net' (proven): This one should be screamed at the top of your lungs to every unsuspecting
crew member that stumbles on to your boat: DON"T TOUCH THE NET UNTIL THE SECOND BEFORE IT IS
NEEDED!!!!
It goes like this: Fish-on! Port board. My buddie runs over me, his wife, and 13 hot-n-tots to get the rod. Fighting
the fish...fighting the fish. Someone (no names mentioned) grabs the net. Still fighting the fish. Starboard rod
goes! A double! Another board goes! Now a triple! 'Someone' lays the net down and fights a fish. Net is resting
comfortably against a vibrating outboard engine. Time to net fish #1. Get the net! What net? It just slipped out
the back of the boat and is sinking to the bottom of Saginaw Bay. Hmmm...DON"T TOUCH THE NET UNTIL THE
SECOND BEFORE IT IS NEEDED!!!!
Discussion: That's the only net that's gone overboard, but you should really never grab it until the fish is ready to
be netted. That keeps your hands open and ready for the impending double or triple. (6/04)
crew member that stumbles on to your boat: DON"T TOUCH THE NET UNTIL THE SECOND BEFORE IT IS
NEEDED!!!!
It goes like this: Fish-on! Port board. My buddie runs over me, his wife, and 13 hot-n-tots to get the rod. Fighting
the fish...fighting the fish. Someone (no names mentioned) grabs the net. Still fighting the fish. Starboard rod
goes! A double! Another board goes! Now a triple! 'Someone' lays the net down and fights a fish. Net is resting
comfortably against a vibrating outboard engine. Time to net fish #1. Get the net! What net? It just slipped out
the back of the boat and is sinking to the bottom of Saginaw Bay. Hmmm...DON"T TOUCH THE NET UNTIL THE
SECOND BEFORE IT IS NEEDED!!!!
Discussion: That's the only net that's gone overboard, but you should really never grab it until the fish is ready to
be netted. That keeps your hands open and ready for the impending double or triple. (6/04)
proved its worth. Jack/TwinSlam/Sqwinchee all have been 'proven'...
UNPROVEN - Means I have probably caught fish, but have not tested enough to know if it really makes a
difference and is a killer rig.
UNPROVEN - Means I have probably caught fish, but have not tested enough to know if it really makes a
difference and is a killer rig.
Some Slightly Unusual Rigs and/or Ideas.