My secret hali rig

tailchaser · 03-28-2003, 07:45 AM

Ok, it's time to release the famous rig. It's pretty simple really. At the top is a rattle hotshot or any kind of plug. An old commercial boy gave me the tip about three years ago and I've used it ever since and seemed to definitely outfish the rest of the boat. Like I said before we use shad as our primary bait, and then tip it sometimes with a herring or some squid and we land 20-30 fish a trip. It's a little different than what everyone uses so I think that helps a little. The leader is #150 wire with plastic coating. I leave a decent size loop at the hook so it has room to rotate with the fish. It's only 7-9 inches long typically with a #200 barrel swivel at the top. I use a #250 locking swivel to attach to the barrel so I can quickly change leaders if need be. I've yet to have a locking swivel pull out on me of this size. Even landing 100 lbers in Ak. The hoochie is a glow in the dark one that is a little oversized compared to the ones you find. I can't even remember where I got them it was so long ago. Finally a 16/0 circle that's offset quite a bit. I also like a sliding weight setup similar to one used on sturgeon. I also place a 3' section of sturgeon leader at the slider area. Tuf line doesn't do well all day with it rubbing. If I put it straight on the tuf-line I usually loose one rig a day from it. The only problem with sliders is if you freespool bomb the bait to the bottom you'll tangle the rig. You can let it out quickly but you have to thumb it a little. Last but not least I use a 2" dropper on my weight with 30 lb mono. If I get hung with the weight it'll break before I loose the whole rig.

I give the fish a little help in setting the hook. It'll sink that tip through the cheekbone 6 out of 10 times and he's not coming off. Hope this helps. Any other questions and I'll try to help.

tc

[ 03-28-2003, 08:48 AM: Message edited by: tailchaser ]

Pilar · 03-28-2003, 08:34 AM

Good pointers tailchaser. The hotshot is for noise?

The hook offset is very important. Some of the mustad circles come lined up, not offset. This hook wil not fish properly unless the point is not behind the shank. At least 1/8" offset.

The hootchie looks like one of those B2 squid with 2/3 of the head missing.

Cool ... thanks for the tips, keep em coming.

Miss B Haven · 03-28-2003, 09:22 AM

TC- do you let the sliding weight run right up to the plug or do you have a swivel above the plug to stop the weight? Seems like the weight would beat the stuff out of that plug if not? Interesting set up - diver and bait at 80 fathoms!

NAUTI-NOTIONS · 03-28-2003, 09:38 AM

and yet another,,, do you attach your main line directly to the plug or by pass it to let it free swim.

NAUTI-NOTIONS · 03-28-2003, 09:42 AM

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you can get them pre rigged or just the skirts alone

[ 03-28-2003, 10:44 AM: Message edited by: Bumper_Chrome ]

tailchaser · 03-28-2003, 10:04 AM

Yes, the hotshot is strictly for noise purposes. The old guy that showed me the trick used a baby rattle in the old days but I thought this would be a lot easier and made for it. I do have a swivel attached above the connection with the barrel and the hotshot. It's a #250 locking snap. I use the snap so I can change rigs quickly. The weight never reaches the plug so it doesn't beat it up. The weight is only attached to the 3' slider section. The plug is attached where the hook would commonly be on it (the plug) and it's allowed to move around and make noise down there.

tc

FODF · 03-29-2003, 08:26 AM

Interesting. It looks like the only "weak" point of the rigging are the screw-in eyes on the hotshot. Have you ever pulled one of the eyes out of the plastic body, or separated the plug itself?

Lepper · 03-29-2003, 12:09 PM

I don't think he hooks it up to the eyes on the rattler.. Probalby just snaps on to the swivel and lets that dangle.
d

tailchaser · 03-29-2003, 08:28 PM

Lepper is correct. There is no structural part to the hot shot. It merely dangles in the water and makes some noise. The o-ring that is normally attaching a treble hook is looped into one of the eyes of the barrel swivel that is connected to the main line.

tc

Chum King · 03-29-2003, 10:42 PM

A variation on this theme that I have seen is to use a "jingle bell". A friend of mine would attach a large jingle bell(you can get them at craft stores for ~3/$1) to his halibut spreader arm where his leader was attached. He always seemed to catch much larger than average halibut. Of course the trick didn't seem to do me any good. :whazzup: