why a stiff rig

[dodger]

Winter boredom so playing with tackle


We have the standard stiff rig with single or double hook, and we have a chain gang with hooks that are 'not stiff" rigged. So what about leaving the hook free on a single hook rig?


I have used 200lb nylon coated wire, aluminium crimps and a Mustad Siwash Tuna hook (with a fully closed eye)


Any comments from the doyens out there?

[Bwana]

Nice neat rigging there Dodger 


In my experience the single stiff rig format works best on lures from 4' to 10' size (or small to medium sized lures). The principle of the stiff rig is that the hook uses a "gaffing" mechanism to find meat usually in the corner of the mouth or top jaw. Once the lures get longer (10' and above) it becomes difficult to properly use the stiff rig single method so I add a second hook in a 180 degree offset format. Same principal applies the hooks are held in a point-up or point-down position to give them the best chance of finding meat on the hookup. For the stiff rig to work best I usually prefer to lock the hookset into the back of the head with a rubber grommet or toothpick to keep the lure tracking straight and also allow the stiff rig to be in the best position for the hook up.


For rigging on the stiff rigs you can use the straight point style as shown in your picture as the stiff rig keeps the point in line. Now when it comes to the free swinging style it creates its own set of problems including hooking the skirt and also pivoting on the strike resulting in a lot of hook-ups outside of the mouth (skin hookups) as the hook point is not guided to find the optimum position inside the mouth. I would recommend that if you are going to go with the free-swinging style of rigging then you move away from the straight point style of hook (e.g. Mustad 7732SS) and rather move to the tuna-bend style hook (e.g. Mustad 7691SS) with the re-curved point as it will give a better success rate of hooking up even with a pivot situation.


I am sure everyone has their own style and what works for them, but on my lures you won't find any hook sets rigged with the swinging single. Will be interesting to see what the other guys favour


Pics - straight point vs tuna bend hook styles:

[dodger]

Thanks Mark you make some interesting points, but what about the free swinging chain gangs?


I see that the Pakula rigs have a swinging hook and also a swivel at the blunt end, what advantage would the swivel give apart from swing?

[Prego]

I prefer a single semi stiff rig using strand cable.

 Its seems a favourite with most out there currently.

[HooknCook]

The swivel is used in conjunction with the Keel weight which allows the hook to always be point up. Something I am experimenting with is to use as little heat shrink as possible, its there mainly for cosmetic purposes only and a Marlins mouth grips this very well and then doesnt slide down the rig to find purchase with the hook point. use as little as you can to stop the hook hooking the skirt of cable. There are however other means to do this, so just experiment a bit.

[Rory mundy]

If you not using keel weighted lures there is no point locking your hook sets into the lure

[Rory mundy]

I use that shackle rig at the bottom just my hook sets are 180 deg

[Zak-e-Boy]

Interesting topic, just a question why would it be more effective to have the hook facing up when with most fish the bottom of the jaw or scissors of the mouth, in my opinion, is more susceptible / easier to penetrate for a hookup ?

[dodger]

Interesting topic, just a question why would it be more effective to have the hook facing up when with most fish the bottom of the jaw or scissors of the mouth, in my opinion, is more susceptible / easier to penetrate for a hookup ?

I just don't know how one keeps the hook upwards, keel weights, keeled Kona head,   they have got to move / spin when being trawled 

and the free swinging chain gang is successful

[Hammer]

I like to rig my 7" to 10" lures with multi strand wire and a free swinging single hook and a swivel at the top. Then the hook can turn and not the lure. I only put clear shrink wrap over the crimps (you can see any corrosion through the clear shrink wrap). I have some Pakula keel weights but have never used them.

[dodger]

I like to rig my 7" to 10" lures with multi strand wire and a free swinging single hook and a swivel at the top. Then the hook can turn and not the lure. I only put clear shrink wrap over the crimps (you can see any corrosion through the clear shrink wrap). I have some Pakula keel weights but have never used them.

I found this s on the web Mike much as you rig

[tkei]

Chains are very effective. The free swinging hooks are the bomb, BUT I am terrified of them as a dorado on the boat with a set of chains is not pretty.
I have not grabbed the bill of a marlin with chains but I also do not want to. That free swinging hook likes mean, and my hands and wrists have this.
Generally I have moved to the bearing swivel option with keel weight and Owner Jabu hooks.


Hok up rate, well I am not too sure yet. Not enough time to confirm, but I feel much safer than with chains.

[travelmember]

I rig as per tkei, except a Dojo or Hays hook. Over the last year I am moving towards needle eyes.


Re hook up - on a marlin, with the top jaw you have a larger area to aim up, it is more concave, and has a larger gristle area. The lower jaw is smaller and flat - more difficult to get good penetration.

[dodger]

I rig as per tkei, except a Dojo or Hays hook. Over the last year I am moving towards needle eyes.


Re hook up - on a marlin, with the top jaw you have a larger area to aim up, it is more concave, and has a larger gristle area. The lower jaw is smaller and flat - more difficult to get good penetration.

I am awaiting a delivery of Dojo hooks and Pakula shackles, so the re-re-rigging will start shortly 

[kevf]

with the double semi stiff rig, is it the front or back hook that sets most of the time or is it 50/50