Matching the hatch!

[MAKO19]

With all this talk about sand eels this and sand eels that, it was time to make up a rig to match the hatch. I pulled a modified version of this rig on the last few trips and haven't had a bite on it (actually all of our fish this past weekend were caught on the stretch lures). I am thinking the reasons for this not catching are because I made the 7 hook baits 6" white swim shads. I was trying to create the illusion of a small bunker school chasing sand eels. After no success with the sand eel shad combo dredge, it was time to switch it up. Last night I went out and bought some more eels and loaded the rig with all eels. These are the closest soft plastic baits I have found so far that look like sand eels. The tails are slightly different than the real thing but I don't think the bass will mind especially when they are paddling along at 3 knots.

Knowing what they look like:


I created this:






Anyone have any thoughts or ideas feel free to let me know what you think. I will report how we do with this rig after our next trip.

[sportfishingusa]

they do look nice..

but why did you bend them!!? looks sweet i will admit but i think you might have a little problem with tangling..
just my opinion..

[MAKO19]

they do look nice..

but why did you bend them!!? looks sweet i will admit but i think you might have a little problem with tangling..
just my opinion..

The 6-arm bar comes bent. They troll much better that way and tangling is not an issue.

[sportfishingusa]

The 6-arm bar comes bent. They troll much better that way and tangling is not an issue.

not an issue!? really!?!?

I think they look awesome and will work wonders bro!!! very f-ing nice man!!

[Tunaman40]

Sweet looking rig Nice and neat with the crimps

[MAKO19]

Sweet looking rig Nice and neat with the crimps

Thanks man! Definitely like crimping better since it gives the bait the ability to move a lot more than if you tied it direct, plus 150# mono is a ***** to tie.

[JfISHkING]

Very nice rig.. .should be deadly

[cravertosu]

Cool Stuff!! Very nice work! You just need to post a pic of it with the fish STILL attached when you catch one with it!

Good Luck!

[MAKO19]

Cool Stuff!! Very nice work! You just need to post a pic of it with the fish STILL attached when you catch one with it!

Good Luck!

Good idea! I will see if I can get a dedicated camera man for next trip!

[seapower]

With all those pretty eel's, crimped leader's, bent 6 arm dredge. Look's like the work of an engineer!!!