Tying Mooching Rigs?

[Freakwater]

I'm wanting to tie my own mooching rigs this year. I prefer sliders to fixed, but cannot find a diagram for tying a slider.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Freak

[shoulda]

I kind of figured this out on my own so this may not be exactly right...

I tie the bottom hook on using a regular guide loop but I put the wraps on the hook shank right up next to the eye - in other words not much of a loop. Then for the sliding hook I run the main leader line up through the eye - its now sliding loose of the leader. Now I take a second piece of leader material, usually a lighter weight so its easier to deal with and I tie a second guide loop right over the top of the main leader line. There are two tricks in tying the guide loop on the sliding hook - first keep the main leader flat on the hook shank, and second keep a big loop while you tie the guide loop so that it can go all the way around the bottom hook as you make your wraps.

Like I said this may not be the easiest way but its worked so far. I'm also curious to see if theres a better way.

[Space]

Tie your first hook which will be the hook at the tail of the fish. It can either be an egg loop or standard fishing knot. After the bottom hook is tied on then you want to slide the top hook down the line to about 6 inches from the other hook. Now you will need a 1ft piece of the same lb# leader your mooching rig will be. Take the leader and place it through the eye of the top hook and tie an egg loop in it as though it's your main line. You will want to wet the line as you pull it snug. DO NOT over tighten this as it will burn you main line as it slides and break the line. Too loose and the knot will come un done and the hook will slide to the bottom. This is just how I do it. Others might have a different method.

SPACE

It's easier if you use a uni knot to tie the top hook on.

[rileyusmc]

Hey freakwater; If you are anywhere near S.E. portland anytime soon let me know.Stop by my house and I'll show you how to tie a slider rig.Take me about 10 min. max.

[Fishrite]

I'm with Keta....use a uni-knot

[freespool]

Tie the bottom hook using the eggloop knot,I use 40lb test leader. Slip the top hook on the leader,leave it near the end,now use 15-20lb leader for the second eggloop,don't tighten it up,now slide it into place,then thighten it up. I always use a smaller hook on top when herring are used.


salmon hugger

I would use Dacron to tie the slip hook, it doesn't gaul and burn when it's slipping like mono does.

[rileyusmc]

I know it sound wierd,but a guide showed me that when tying the top hook he uses dental floss! works as good as dacron,but it's easier to tie than mono.works pretty good too!

[trap50]

I haven't used a uni knot(what is that) but the dacron sounds like akeeper. I found a littlt clamp on vise at a yard sale and use it. Sure is nice to free up the hands. Ron

[Wolfguts]

For the top hook I use 20# fly line backing. Works great and will not damage your leader. It's white in color. Places like Fisherman's have it in bulk so you can buy a small amount and give it a try.

[RJ]

Squidding Line for the top Slider

Fly reel backing is Dacron, I don't know what "Squiding Line" is made of, and waxed dental floss works real good.

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

I just go to walmart buy a pack of 25 bobber stops they are really cheap there.

I tie a bait loop on the lower hook then slide the top hook over the line, slip a bobber stop over the line and slide it down over the top of the hook eye and then pull it tight.

simple easy and I boated a bunch of springers last spring using this method so I know it holds up.

now before you all laugh at me for being to lazy to tie a slider knot

just remember a great man once said that lazieness is the mother of all great inventions.
[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]


Quasi.

.

[Freakwater]

Thanks for the responses.
I'll try a couple of these techniques and report back.

Freak

[Pitch Pocket]

Although a sliding top hook is convenient for rigging, it is very insecure when you actually hook a fish.

I stopped using the sliding mooching hook after my leader came up once too often with no hooks and no fish.

If a big fish hooks itself on the slider, it can break off the bottom hook as it slams into it and you will lose your bottom hook and the fish.

In my opinion, you're better off figuring out how long your bait is and solid tie both hooks. An egg loop works fine, but is not necessary, just snell the hooks without the loop.