Tieing your own rigs...

[Bridget]

I know some of you tie your own rigs because they're cheaper that way. I know others tie them because it helps pass the time in winter. For those of you who tie them because you think the ones you tie are better than ones that are commercially available - why do you think they're better?

[Eyecon]

I like to tie my own rigs for a few different reasons.Cost is just one of them,by tieing your own rigs the only cost is the hook and a few yards of leader material,about a dime.More importantly is I pick my brand,wieght and color of line(6lb berkley XL or SensiThin low-vis green)and also the length of the snell(4'-12'feet) depending on conditions.As for hooks I like the Gamakatsu octopus in size #6 or #4 in red or floresent green.If you buy a commercialy made rig they are typicaly 10-14lb test,36-48 inchs and a #4 hook,and who knows for sure what components your getting?There are some good rigs on the market but be prepared to spend at least a buck a piece and you still don't have alot of options.These rigs are very simple to tie.The same thing applies to tieing spinners as well.Good luck

[James Morris]

I love the Gamakatsu hooks too, but I was turned on to the (dang, i forgot which brand- owner or vmc) cone cut octopus style hooks which are just as sharp as the Gamakatsu's and a little more affordable for tying rigs with. I like #2s for the great lakes spinner rigs and 4's for inland waters.

I tie my own rigs because it's fun and I can tie them up to match the hatch in the lakes I fish in. Many times, the mass produced rigs with mixed bead colors will not produce like the home-tied ones that I tie in all one color bead (except for a red starter bead above the spinner). Also, if I'm on the water and the fish are hitting a color, I can tie up some more with the components or try a variation to key in on subtle differences. Also, I really like the x-change clevises for quick blade swapping.

Have fun-

James

[Bridget]

Are there any metal x-change clevises? I've heard that the plastic x-change clevises don't spin as well at low speeds. ???

[JCarp]

Never seen a metal Xchange clevis. The plastic ones I've used don't spin quite as well at really slow speeds and they don't perform well with very small blades. However, they are wonderful for many (most?) applications. I use both.

[steve(IL)]

I've been using the metal quick change clevis' and believe they will spin at lower speeds than the plastic ones. I like making my own spinner rigs to fine tune to conditions/clarity and the particular bait or plastic I'm using. Plus I can choose all the components. I can tie a two hook spinner harness on the water in 2-3 minutes on the water. I keep 4 of the big tackle buddies full with various combos. They fit perfectly in one of those soft sided coolers designed for a six pack.

[MAGNA19]

cost is a big factor,but to customize your rig for the water and fish conditions.i like to tie them on line 1 size smallet than what im using,if its 8lb,i use 6 lb for the rig,add or subtract beads,floats,diffrent color blades to beads,quick change clevice,or the folded clevice,hook size,and quanty of hooks also.

[Fin Addict]

I tie my own because I cannot buy exactly what I want in the stores. I know that my knots will be tied well. I can mix and match to get exactly the length I want (often 10'-12')with the mix of beads desired for that day and the specific type, size and color of blade desired. Lately I have been using Seaguar fluorocarbon and colored light wire Gamakatsu or Owner hooks. Single hook for leeches and minnows and double for crawlers. If I wanted to carry all the permutations of what I might want on the water I would need a second boat. Easier to tie as I go.

[800proX]

i tie my own as well, and since mille lacs requires such long snells, it is almost imperative to do your own. nothin but 'Gatsu hooks, xchange clevices and variety of beeds/colors/spinners. i usually have 4 dozen pretied and end up loving only 6 of them!!

jeff

[LaneLunder]

I am tying my own rigs now. I started because I never felt comfortable with the short snells and what seems like 50 pound test mono on the pe-rigged jobs. I use 10 pound Fireline, a little more expensive but I am hoping the smaller diameter makes a diference, and that they hold up better under tough conditions. On LOW the best color is green by far in my experience, so I use green Fireline and Chartruse beeds. Good luck.
Lane

[Phil T.]

Mine are tied with quality line, not a low-bid product. The knots are tied by a Norwegian American Lutheran, not a Voodoo worshiping Haitian, whose labor is also low-bid.