Whipping Rig

[Stan Wright]

Last week while fishing at Blue Boat Point, I noticed that ½ the people were using live bait, and the other ½ were using lures. ( lures seemed to be catching the most fish)

Instead of using the “Bubble Rig” they had replaced the plastic bubble with a lead “torpedo" weight. This allowed them to fish the entire water column from top to bottom…
Down deep where the fish were holding.

Below I’ve illustrated a “Whipping Rig” - - widely used by saltwater anglers here in Hawaii.


Notice that I use 2 (two) snap swivels. One to attach the main line to the lead weight, and the other to attach the leader. Not only does this reduce line twist, but allows quick and easy change from “Egg” float to “Torpedo” weight.

The“egg’ float is made of wood. It comes in assorted sizes and colors, and serves the same function as the plastic bubble….. splashing along the surface to attract the fish, allowing one to use small flys with a spinning rod, and keeping the fly near the surface.

The fly choice is up to you. We were using gold color. Any color should work. The folks at BBP were using small chartreuse twister tail grubs. I bet glitter strips will work.

Until the surface action of schooling peacock bass improves… think I’ll try the “Torpedo Rig…. Get down where the big ones are.

[roadwarriorsvt]

Great timing on this post Stan! Hopefully the numb-nuts that accused me and my co-angler of using live bait (cheating) in the Jackpot Tournement will read this and see how much of an ass he made himself by that false accusation. Apparently he saw us parked on BBP and assumed we were using live bait. Instead we were using the above mentioned technique with curly tails. Weighing in only one Tuc should have given him a clue!

[Stan Wright]

You just "look" guilty....

[roadwarriorsvt]

After all, I was fishing with Larry! (guilt by association!)

[Stan Wright]

Tyed some more of the Fifty Cent flys.
Got the pink bead chain for the eyes from Nervous Water fly shop.
Adds a toudh of color. Love the flash from the gold.

I stole the red beads from my daughters jewelry making kit stuff.
I think it will work good on bluegills if you work it slow.

[Ahnkochee]

I was at the ramp on Monday afternoon and saw about 4 people whipping with plastic bubble rig and small flies and they were catch 12 inch size Tucs quite consistently especially the young gal who hooked two in a matter of minutes. Water level looked nice. Hope it stays that way for a while.

[Stan Wright]

I noticed that even Chris took one of the bubble rigged rods with him today.

He really doesn't like to use them on the boat, it's especially dangerous when your fishing with inexperenced anglers who don't know to watch what's behind them when they're casting.