I first used
this rig in Hawaii where it was most
likely born and developed long ago in the
Hawaiian Islands as a way to catch the
elusive Giant Trevally. The trevally
reach 100 + lbs. in the near shore waters
of all of the Hawaiian Islands. These
cave dwellers have long demanded the best
a fisherman has to offer. The lava out
cropping and sheer cliffs and lava caves
were an inspiration for the development
of such a rig. For the fishermen that was
able to conquer the coral and lava, it
meant food on the table as well as
recognition from fellow fishermen. A
well-made rig would help them land these
great giants and have their name spoken
in the ranks of the 100+ lb club.
Although we are
thousands of miles away, we still find
some similar obstacles here on the Texas
coast. Granite boulders, barnacle
encrusted pier pilings and oyster-lined
mud banks along channels are only a few
of the unseen obstacles we encounter.
Many use this rig on the piers but have
never enjoyed the benefits of this rig's
full potential. Many variations and
styles have come from this design. The
basic rig has always proven itself
successful. There is no basic fishing
reel or rod to use here. If you can cast
it they will come. I have seen the local
Hawaiians cast 4/0, 6/0, and even some
9/0's. Though it is not recommended for
the regular angler, but it can be done.
The benefit of this rig is you are
casting only the weight. This gives you a
great advantage as you can use a greater
force to concentrate on getting the lead
out!! Once the weight is set, then the
rest is easy. Clipping your baits and
sliding them down is all it takes.
I usually use
my 4/0 or a jig master for this
application. I use a Spectra backing and
about 100 yards of 60 lb. mono as a top
shot. The weight would be in the 7- 12 oz
range, depending on the current. These
are very castable weights with these
rigs. Feel free to change hooks, leaders,
weights, and mainlines to suit your
needs. These are just examples and are
not to be taken as gospel. Just like a
recipe, use the main ingredients but feel
free to add or delete as needed for your
personal taste.
First make your
main leader (black in illus.) out of
300-400 lb mono. On the bottom of the
leader crimp a 1" welded ring. On
the other end crimp a 200-300lb offshore
swivel. You will tie your mainline 50-80
lb (pink in illus.) to this swivel. Make
sure that the slide clip will slide over
the swivel and crimp as shown above.
As shown in the
above illustration, on the bottom end of
the mono leader, tie off a 5'-10' section
(green in illus.) of 30-50 lb mono
leader. Tie off one end to the welded
ring and the other end to the weight. Tie
a series of overhand knots along the
length of the lead line to ensure it
breaks in case it gets snagged. Expect to
loose this weight. Use something
inexpensive if possible. A 4"
-6" X 2" diameter piece of PVC
makes an excellent mold for pouring
concrete weights. Stick wire legs on the
bottom for a better hold. They don't have
to be pretty just functional. I use
discarded coat hangers and bend them to
suit. Remember you are only going to use
them once, maybe twice if you don't get a
pick up. I have set up a 16 oz weight for
the demonstration.
You will notice
that you have 5' - 6' of leader line and
5' - 10' lead line. In order to be able
to make a cast, you will have to shorten
your lead line. I carefully wrapped the
lead line around my hand and secured it
with a rubber band. For a better
deployment use about 5 sheets of toilet
paper and wrap the line around the sheets
and then secure. I use a small section of
a coat hanger and bend the two ends at an
angle to secure the weight and the welded
ring. Expect to loose this wire as well.
Make about a dozen well in advance.
When the weight
hits the water the wire will fall away
and the lead line will unravel to set
your first bait well above the bottom as
shown below. My ever-present companion
(shadow) has certainly lived up to his
name. Who would have ever known? He
paused just long enough so I could take
this shot.
Now your line
is set. You are ready to slide your
baits. The first bait should always be
dead or if using live, your slide clip
will have to be weighted. If not, the
live bait will never work its way to the
leader portion of the slide rig. One way
to get it down is to hook it thru the
anal fin. One downside to that is, if
there is a strong current the bait will
drown. If you just want to slide one live
bait then no problem. Hook your bait thru
the eyes or bridle it and send him
swimming. Your bait will make its way to
the swivel. Wave and a little rod action
will get it past the swivel and to the
welded ring. The leader is only there for
chafing purposes. The bite leader and
hook should always match your intended
quarry. I have many different
configurations pre-made. Mono wire or
braided cable leaders should always be at
the ready for whatever comes along. The
one you will see is made with stainless
wire for the toothy critters. It is only
about 12" long and has a 12/0 circle
hook.
If sliding two
BAITS then bend a piece of #5 wire with a
small loop in it. Clip it on your line
and send the second slide rig down. It
will slide down but will stop at the
swivel as shown in the illustration
below.
When the fish
strikes then the flexible wires will give
way and guide the slide rig over the
swivel and crimp.
Down to the
welded ring stop.
If you suspect
bait stealers or crabs have been messing
with your bait this is a great way to get
a fresh bait down without pulling up your
rig. Here is what the whole rig should
look like if the leader were deployed.
When deployed the lead line would set and
you would have your first suspended bait
5' - 10' from the bottom (next to the
welded ring at the end of heavy mono
leader). The second bait would be 5'
above it (at the junction of your
mainline and mono leader barrel swivel).
I am confident
that this rig will work for you on our
next trip to the jetties or the pier.
Give it a try!!!
by Carlos Gonzalez
aka
"Gonzofish" on the Surf-Masters
Saltwater Message Board
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