Hootchie Rigging
- Thread starter TenMile
- Start date
Eyes Up Chuck
Member
For hoochies and spoons, I'm only fishing out of Uki.
Fluorocarbon vs. Maxima Ultra Green?
I have always fished Maxima but need to buy new leader line
What pound test to use?
Been suggested to use 70lb for hootchies & 40 for spoons
When tying in hooks in tandem, what knots to place them where you want? Especially when using the thicker line
With the thicker line(s), what length of leader(s)?
Does color really matter for the hootchies?
Single / treble hooks for hootchies? Or both?
I see Captain Downrigger uses two singles.
I understand that there are many different ways to do any of this, just wanted opinions and the why 2's to do it the way you do.
Fluorocarbon vs. Maxima Ultra Green?
I have always fished Maxima but need to buy new leader line
What pound test to use?
Been suggested to use 70lb for hootchies & 40 for spoons
When tying in hooks in tandem, what knots to place them where you want? Especially when using the thicker line
With the thicker line(s), what length of leader(s)?
Does color really matter for the hootchies?
Single / treble hooks for hootchies? Or both?
I see Captain Downrigger uses two singles.
I understand that there are many different ways to do any of this, just wanted opinions and the why 2's to do it the way you do.
TenMile
Well-Known Member
I use a 40lb mono for my leaders -- usually around 36".
I tie tandem hooks as follows:
- Start with lower hook and tie it to the leader using the "improved clinch" knot (aka the fisherman's knot)
- About 2" above the lower hook make a loop and feed it through the hook eye. Loop the end over the hook shank. Twist the loop twice, and loop it over the hook shank again and once tandem is positioned the way you want, pull tight.
- This is not the prettiest rigging but I find it a quick and effective way to add a tandem hook to both hootchie and anchovie rigs.
Haze
Member
All great questions here’s my two cents. Been guiding on the inside for the last 6 spring-summer-fall seasons and up till this last season I used the Maxima Ultra Green. One day I switched to Berkley line I think cause I was in a hurry and that’s all they had…anyways I noticed that I had less leader breaks between the two single hooks – been using Berkley’s every since.
I use 40-60lb line for hootchies & spoons
My leader length stays mostly around 6’ for spoons and around 36” for hootchies from swivel to nose of the squid.
Color for hootchies – I know this sounds stupid since the darn things are identical aside from colors, but YES and YES! Color can make or break a fish day or a no fish day.
As for hooks I’ve tried all kinds of stuff to try to keep the fish on. I found trebles often hooked up more bites but I’d still loose more of the fish. Singles in tandem tend to stay hooked longer once they hook up. I try to place each hook facing opposite sides when tying up this seems to give a few more hook-ups.
Cheers
fishin_magician
Well-Known Member
If you are breaking off hooks you are not tying correctly or wetting the line regardless of the line type.
My experience has Maxima coming out on top of Berkley.
Line choice is like hook choice, buy the best you can and it pays dividends.
Leader length is important. Some boats troll slower, therefore can use a shorter leader. Some boats troll faster and the use of a longer leader is more productive.
Depending on your line test preferences, your trolling speed, your hook/hootchy choices and other factors such as conditions, each boat may be similar..but the optimal combo is specific to the boat/rig.
I like simple, simple WORKS. Complicated also works, but means more tinkering and less time doing other productive "fishy" things.
Dial your combo in, and then remember the winning combos.
I used to like having a kicker on the boats I guided on--I could put a precise speed on my bait/lures no matter the conditions. Caught lots of fish when many wouldn't as soon as the conditions changed. I liked/like the carbed boats better for trolling as well particularly when trolling with the mains...you could/can micro adjust right to the perfect speed as the throttle was "bang on".
Tight lines![8D] [8D]
Eyes Up Chuck
Member
Been rigging up my jigs by including a swivel between the lure and the hook.
Will this cause the lure (jigs) to "hook up" on the line while jigging vs. not having the swivel more than it already does?
Will this cause the lure (jigs) to "hook up" on the line while jigging vs. not having the swivel more than it already does?
One hook is all you need. A lot less damage done to the fish and makes for an easy release. If you are weeding through coho looking for hatcheries you will need to release a lot of fish. It is hard to release a fish with tandam hooks in it's mouth with out causing a lot of damage.
With a single you can ID the fish beside the boat and flip it off the hook with a gaff or grab the net if you are going to retain the fish.
I like a larger single seawash hook clipped on to a swivel with beads above it to space the hook to the correct distance. Try different color beeds inside jellyfish hootchies, pink beeds inside attract the coho. Oops now I am giving away secrets!
You will land just as many fish, maybe more. Once a larger hook is through the mouth of a fish it is hard for them to spit. The swivel lets them thrash around without twisting the line. 40lb is all you need for lots of whip.
(I think tandam hooks should be illegal but that is a whole nother story.)
There are some great modifications in this original post. All that should work with a single hook. I will be trying a few out starting with the trimming of length. Seams like a good idea.
Tips
With a single you can ID the fish beside the boat and flip it off the hook with a gaff or grab the net if you are going to retain the fish.
I like a larger single seawash hook clipped on to a swivel with beads above it to space the hook to the correct distance. Try different color beeds inside jellyfish hootchies, pink beeds inside attract the coho. Oops now I am giving away secrets!
You will land just as many fish, maybe more. Once a larger hook is through the mouth of a fish it is hard for them to spit. The swivel lets them thrash around without twisting the line. 40lb is all you need for lots of whip.
(I think tandam hooks should be illegal but that is a whole nother story.)
There are some great modifications in this original post. All that should work with a single hook. I will be trying a few out starting with the trimming of length. Seams like a good idea.
Tips
One hook is all you need. A lot less damage done to the fish and makes for an easy release. If you are weeding through coho looking for hatcheries you will need to release a lot of fish. It is hard to release a fish with tandam hooks in it's mouth with out causing a lot of damage.
With a single you can ID the fish beside the boat and flip it off the hook with a gaff or grab the net if you are going to retain the fish.
I like a larger single seawash hook clipped on to a swivel with beads above it to space the hook to the correct distance. Try different color beeds inside jellyfish hootchies, pink beeds inside attract the coho. Oops now I am giving away secrets!
You will land just as many fish, maybe more. Once a larger hook is through the mouth of a fish it is hard for them to spit. The swivel lets them thrash around without twisting the line. 40lb is all you need for lots of whip.
(I think tandam hooks should be illegal but that is a whole nother story.)
There are some great modifications in this original post. All that should work with a single hook. I will be trying a few out starting with the trimming of length. Seams like a good idea.
Tips
With a single you can ID the fish beside the boat and flip it off the hook with a gaff or grab the net if you are going to retain the fish.
I like a larger single seawash hook clipped on to a swivel with beads above it to space the hook to the correct distance. Try different color beeds inside jellyfish hootchies, pink beeds inside attract the coho. Oops now I am giving away secrets!
You will land just as many fish, maybe more. Once a larger hook is through the mouth of a fish it is hard for them to spit. The swivel lets them thrash around without twisting the line. 40lb is all you need for lots of whip.
(I think tandam hooks should be illegal but that is a whole nother story.)
There are some great modifications in this original post. All that should work with a single hook. I will be trying a few out starting with the trimming of length. Seams like a good idea.
Tips
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
I used to run tandem octopus style hooks - but switched last year to the above, I feel its much better for all the reasons tips noted. Also you don't get hooks bending on large fish or nicks to deal with between the two hooks from teeth.
Rum Buddies
Well-Known Member
I used to run tandem octopus style hooks - but switched last year to the above, I feel its much better for all the reasons tips noted. Also you don't get hooks bending on large fish or nicks to deal with between the two hooks from teeth.
