Trolling Weight Bridle Setup (Version 1)

[O-SEA-D]

Here ya go guys, I hope this makes sense to everyone.

The planer bridle system uses the 3/8" stainless clips.

I think they would be to big for a trolling weight and unnecessary.

Here is what I would do if I was going to make a bridle setup for a trolling weight.

I think you would have to have a dedicated rod and reel for the trolling weight just like you do for the planer bridle system. Reason being, just like the planer bridle, the trolling weight bridle assembly will crank on the reel followed by the leader. Otherwise you would have to take off the leader and bridle system and reattach it for each use. That would work too, but it would be a little more of a pain.

The Captain Harry weights like Caveman is using are the same ones I use. They have a stainless cable molded into the weight. A loop on one end and and a snap swivel on the other end. http://www.captharry.com/images/lures/popup-wtroll.jpg

First, I would install a small double snap swivel on the leading end of the trolling weight cable. (1st pic)I think a 150lb test one would work fine. That gives you something to attach it with at the front of the weight. The DSS is just holding the front of the weight to your bridle. Your fighting the fish off the mainline, through the bridle to your leader.

Making the bridle
Materials needed: (2nd pic)
2 Spro 150lb Wind-on swivels
4 1.3 Crimps
3-6 feet of 130lb Diamond Line (depends on your trolling weight)

(Remember, the longer section of the wind on swivel is always pointed at the reel.) That's a tip from THE BEAST

Second, Using 130lb Diamond line (that is what I make the bridle out of because it is smaller and stonger then other 130lb mono)
Slide 2 1.3 crimps and then 1 Spro Wind-on swivel onto your bridle (3rd pic)
(I am using 1.3 crimps instead of 1.6 crimps because some people may be using this system on rods that don't have big guides like planer rods do. I think it will help the bridle go through the guides easier and more people will then be able to use it)Pull a few inches of tag through the 1st crimp and crimp it on there. Take the 2nd crimp and put the tag end through it, push it towards the swivel and make a small loop and crimp it. (4th pic)
That loop is where your double snap swivel will clip into at the front of your trolling weight cable. (5th pic)

Next, Snap the DSS at the front of your trolling weight into the front of the bridle. Lay your bridle along side your trolling weight. We are going to mark the spot where our back loop will be. When you make that measurment make sure you have no slack in the bridle and trolling weight is tight, so you get a good accurate measurment.(6th pic)

Next, slide on 2 1.3 crimps and then your Spro 150lb swivel. (7th pic)

Now, make a small loop like we did at the front of the bridle and crimp it. (8th pic)

Snap the back of your trolling weight into the back of the bridle. (9th pic)

Once you have done that you just crimp your leader to the back of the bridle on the Spro wind on swivel and your done.

This is basiclly the same as the planer bridle. The 1 main difference is that with the trolling weight, it will be fixed on both ends and it won't change. Snap it in the front, snap it in the back and your done.

When you get a fish, crank it up....when the weight reaches the rod tip.....just unsnap the DSS in the front, unsnap the back of the weight and crank the bridle and leader and lure right to the rod tip if you want.

I hope this makes sense. If you watch Marty's planer rod video first,then when you do this it will make more sense.

This would allow you to use a longer leader and you would not have to worry about hand lining it all in and getting wrapped up if the fish runs again.

Your main line from the reel will connect to the front of the bridle system on the Spro Wind-on swivel.

Personally, I am going to shorten up the cable on the trolling weight to about the marks on the table in the 10th picture. There is no reason for it to be that long in a bridle system. With the ends being closer together I think it will track better in the water too. (10th pic)

As you can see in the picture I like to put a squid shell over my trolling weights. Makes it a little more stealthy.

The last picture is of a couple other style trolling weights I have. I think they would work just as good as the Captain Harry ones. Its all just a matter of personal preference.

All this is just what I would do if I was going to use it this way. I have never seen it done yet.

I will be testing it this weekend and let you guys know how it works.

[flatbottom]

Thanks John......Looks like a winner !!

[Dink Bait]

Looks good John.

Time to go fishing, your hands are starting to heal up.

[Logan9581]

Never thought of that! Great idea!

[Jer]

Thank you, I'm going to put this thread on the front page under "Rigging Articles"

[O-SEA-D]

I put version 1 because this is a new idea that everyone helped come up with.

So, there may be things about it that need to change as we test it.

Thanks guys

[Crazy Eyes]

That is something that I will certainly use. Thanks John.

[clt_capt]

John - Looks great. Should be a great setup for higher speed than you can run with a planer.

Thanks

[Tuna Taxi]

Great tip John, Thanks! That will be a nice addition to the arsenal. Will it work pulling a dredge?

Also, do we need the extension ladder and "Radio Flyer", or can we build this bridle system without them?

[O-SEA-D]

Great tip John, Thanks! That will be a nice addition to the arsenal. Will it work pulling a dredge?

Also, do we need the extension ladder and "Radio Flyer", or can we build this bridle system without them?

LOL, no extension ladder is needed.

Don't know about the dredge. Our weight is connected directly to the front of the dredges, so it would not be any advantage for us.

I guess it depends on how you use your dredge.