Don't know if many of you are familiar with this style of rigging for halibut, so I thought I'd put a little tutorial together. It has been called the "Ultimate Rig" for halibut, and was shown to me by a local saltwater guru Mark Mc, and is now the only rig I use.
Here ya go:
Materials:
Heavy mono (I like 200#), 2 large circle hooks, 3 size 4/0 stainless swivels, cheapie snap swivel, 6 crimps.
(This all varies by user preference. I hate relying on a deep water hookset, hence circles. Large circle hook size to reduce rockfish bycatch, and to ease in hook removal. Heavy mono to handle rough abuse, not because we have big fish down here
)
Lets start with the dropper hooks. Form a Flemish Eye through the hook. Helps with abrasion, hook movement, and prevents any slippage should you not crimp well.
Add a crimp, and melt tag end for further insurance against any movememt.
Cut leader to about 12" from this crimp, slide on another crimp, then a 4/0 swivel, with another Flemish Eye. Crimp, melt tag end.
The finished dropper leader should be about 12" long, and look like this:
Now... make one more just like it!
With the dropper leaders out of the way, start on the main rig.
Cheapie snap swivel goes first. This is so when you get hung up, you easily pop the lead. Also note, proper way to melt tag ends, is with lots of extra sticking out, melt, THEN snug it down and crimp.
Next, 24" up from the cheap snap swivel, make a mark with a Sharpie. This gives you a reference point for the loops. Then start a standard dropper style loop (granny knot, passing the tag through 6 or so times)
Find the mid point of the coils, and separate.
Pass the 'Sharpie mark' single strand through this opening.
Next, I have found that a small medicine bottle works well to hold the loop while you snug the knot down.
Pull snug against bottle. (gloves will save your hands!)
Remove bottle, and really cinch'er down!
NOW... measure up 36" from this loop, make another Sharpie mark, and make a second dropper loop!
Time to add the hooks. Pass loop through eye of swivel on hook leader.
Bring the hook through the open loop...
Pull it tight.
Measure up 18" from this top loop, cut, slide on a crimp, Flemish eye to a 4/0 swivel, crimp'er down, and this is the terminal end which connects to your mainline via McMahon snap.
Wha-la! Finished rigging.
Hit the garage and see if you can find some lead...
This shot shows the angle of the dangle.
Benefits are that damaged 'hook leaders' or main body of rig, can be quickly replaced without affecting entire rig. If double hooks aren't desired, simply remove one in a couple seconds. Spacing of hooks prevents any tangles with; lead, hook to hook, or hook to mainline. And the best benefit of all.... 2 'buts at a time! (Once you hook the first fish, wait a little while. Chances are a bigger 'but will come over and try to steal the 'food' away from the thrashing, hooked 'but.)
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