Hootchie Rigging

[blast and cast]

I am curious how others rig their hootchies. Do you run them alone without bait or do you run them above your herring, below? So far this year I have gone without them, but am always looking to see if I can improve things.

[Hookset]

Alone with a strip or chunk of herring on the first hook just for scent. I like double solid tied hooks, leave just enough space to keep the trailing hook point just behind the plastic fingers of the hootchy. The hoothcy alone is what attracts the fish and the scent erases all doubts helping the fish to attack.

I've been thinking about adding a spinner blade in front of the hootchy, maybe size 5 silver or colored blade. Probably won't need it since the silvers hit well already.

If I have fresh herring, I like to troll whole bait, no hootchy. Frozen bait, I'll use the strip/chunks or brined and cut plug.

They all have there following and each will work.

good luck,

hook