Long time yo yo crappie guy, recently switched to single pole/jigging. Did that since February, and decided to try my hand at some spider rigging. Yep, bad move. It has consumed my life. I am doing just 4x 14’ BNM rod and reels right now, and its constant work taking crappie off…or bass, re-tying lines, checking and changing depth…but man it has re-lit my fishing fire. I do have some questions.
Why does every person I see spider rigging, have their rods 6-10" above the water? I kept mine 2-3’ above and was still catching.
What do you do when the crappie go super shallow? Like 1-2’? Right now I am double rigging, but feel as soon as they get super shallow, I will have to go to a single hook, and possibly a float? And maybe get rid of my 1/2 ounce weight and go to just a single jig head, maybe in 1/4 ounce?
When they go super shallow, its time to single pole jig and feel the thump. When spider rigging you want your rods at a downward angle and the tips close to the water…it makes it easier to see a light bite that way. Some like double rigging, some like single rigging. I prefer single.
The only time my tips are up high is if the water is rough other than that I keep em close the water… like G said when they go that shallow just single pole em but if you do want to stick with spider rigging just tie on a 1/4 oz jig head and go at it…
I agree I keep my tips close to the water as I can see the light bites better. Single pole if they get real shallow. I too am addicted to spider rigging and rarely fish any other way. God Bless
I know its a little off topic, but seeing you are new to spider rigging, I thought i would offer something ive found usefull, when i start fishing I alternate my depths with every other pole, and adjust depths often, in other words my 1st pole may be at 6ft, 2nd 9ft, 3rd 6ft, 4th 9ft, this helps me fine tune, that and I adjust each pole at 1 ft increments so i know where my jigs are at any given time also keeping a close eye on my depth finder. Hope this helps
Good info for sure. What I’ve been doing is double rigging my rods and using my front graph to track them. I keep my rod closest to the bank at 3’, next rod 5’, then 7’ and so on. Works out good.
Another tip…lay your hand on the rod holder…often you can feel a bite on any one of your rods. During moments when your attention is else where this may save you from a fish tangling rods together.
When the fish go super shallow I will either single pole/single jig with a 12’ rod or I will go to a single jig/minnow on a slip bobber.
Yes , if you can find them in 1-3 feet of water go to one pole and one jig if they are in heavy cover.
I like a 1/16 head most of the time. If it gets real windy a 1/8.
Also no float for me, I get hung up a lot so I need to be able to pull my line and run the rod tip down to the jig and unhook it.
I was told by the best crappie fisherman that has ever lived to keep everything the same and switch it all together. For example, all the same poles at the the depth with the same set up. If it doesn’t work, change it all. All your poles should be kept off the water the same and all your bait should be the same. I’ll let everyone guess as to who this genius is but it’s really a no brainer.
My trolling is usually done in 8 for or less at speeds of .08 mph or less so there is very little angle on the line to begin with. I feel that a loaded line causes a shy or lift bite to turn loose because of the unnatural feel of the weight. I typically fish with 1/8 oz jigs.
