Mayfly Rigs

[Steve]

Heading up to Erie on Thursday. Can someone explain to me what a mayfly rig is and can you make them yourself?

Thanks and good fishing!

[cmb]

single hooked crawler harness. typicaly gold blade and beads, but, other variations work as well.

they are riged behind an egg sinker-with the sinker either tied on the line above a swivel, or threaded onto the spinner rig with a bead used as a sinker stop.

[Steve]

Thanks for the information. Sounds pretty easy to make. Is there a particular blade size that is used? Also, does it matter what color beads (red, yellow, etc.)?

[ETT]

Typically single 18" snell with small beads 2cm and a single gold Aberdeen hook #4 and a small #1 or #2 Indiana blade (gold) Beads are usually gold also. Secret is to use only a 1" piece of worm to give the thing a chance to ride up and flutter down. Not a whole crawler; not a half; a 1" piece. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

For Erie questions go to boatohio, click on baoting forums then on ask the expert. See you there.

[REW]

Another trick to remember during the times of mayfly hatch - Walleys can be found anywhere in the water height. i.e. they might be tight to the bottom, midway up to the surface, or cruising the surface - slurping up the mayflies.

So, don't get too bent out of shape in trying to keep your rig tight to the bottom.

Also, you might think about using a very light sinker - i.e. 1/16 to 1/8th - might not be too light.

The idea is to simulate the actions of the mayflies, which come up out of the mud and as they flutter upward, finally emerge on the surface of the lake. Thus, you will find the Walleys with their nose to the mud - digging out the newly hatching flies, 5 feet off the bottom, snatching them as the first emerge, and you will find some at mid lake depths simply cruising around nailing the flies as they rise, and finally you will see the bruisers cruising on the surface, with their dorsal fins breaking the surface now and then - scarfing down the flies.

A nice way to use this rig, particularly if it is faily calm out - again with the light rig - simply cast out - and lightly let it flutter to the bottom - pausing now and then on the way down. Many times the walleyes will be waiting for it and inhale the bait, as it flutters to the bottom.

It is to your advantage if you can find a concentration of fish on your depth finder, and try to work over the pod and pick off a few, then move to the next pod and repeat. It is really deadly and very effective.

This technique is many times more effective than simply dragging the worm / spinner along the bottom. simply because the largest majority - of the walleyes - at this time of the year - are not on the bottom.

Take care

REW

[Airwave(OH)]

REW is right ---right now we are taking fish in the top ten feet of water. As soon as the rig hits the water start reelin. and vary your rod movment and speed to create the action of a mayfly working it's way to the top ... Good Luck