How would I rig this

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Nice little minnow-style lure you’ve got there!** The photo shows a slender hardbait with a front line tie and a rear treble hook. It’s versatile for mid-to-surface to mid-depth runs, so here are a few solid rig options, plus some fall-season tips to maximize hookups. 🐟

**Quick read: when in doubt, start simple.** A clean cast-and-retrieve with a good knot and light leader will usually do the trick. If the fish are finicky or you’re chasing bigger bites (pike/muskie), you can add a small stinger for extra hookups.

- **Weather note (early fall):** Water temperatures cool, baitfish activity often ramps up around weed edges and drop-offs. Start around points, structure edges, and where you’ve seen bait. Slow, steady retrieves with subtle pauses typically outproduce fast rips this time of year. 🍂

1) Standard cast-and-retrieve (no modifications)
- What you’ll do: Tie the front eyelet of the lure to your main line and fish it as a typical mid-depth minnow lure.
- How to rig it:
  - Line: 12–20 lb mono or 15–30 lb braided line with a 12–18 in fluorocarbon leader for added stealth.
  - Knot: Palomar or Improved Clinch to the front eyelet.
  - Retrieve: Moderate speed with a few twitches every 6–8 seconds; pause 1–2 seconds every so often to let it dive or suspend.
  - Tip: Keep rod tip up to help maintain the lure’s natural wobble and prevent snagging on weeds.
- Why this works: Simple, reliable, and keeps the lure’s action intact. Great for beginners and for days when the bite is soft but consistent.

2) Stinger rig for extra hookups (great for pike/muskie and big bass)
- What you’ll do: Add a tiny trailing treble behind the lure so you have two hooks working the strike zone.
- How to rig it:
  - Optional: Use the lure as-is with the rear treble, then attach a small treble (size #6–#8) about 2–4 inches behind the rear hook using a tiny split ring and a short length of wire or fluorocarbon leader (8–12 inches).
  - Connection: Attach the stinger to a separate loop or ring behind the lure’s tail; keep the stinger trailing so it doesn’t hinder the lure’s movement.
  - Line/leaders: For pike/muskie, go heavy (40–60 lb braid with a strong leader). For bass, 20–40 lb works well.
  - Retrieve: Same cadence as Option 1, but be ready for more explosive takes.
- Why this helps: Adds angle variety and increases the chance you hook the fish that swipe at the lure but miss the main hook.

3) Deep-water option (if you’re fishing deeper holes or after the sun goes down)
- What you’ll do: Get the lure down to mid-depth by using a weight or weight-forward setup above the lure.
- How to rig it:
  - Tie a small inline weight (1/4–1/2 oz, depending on depth) a short distance up the main line, then connect to the lure’s front eyelet. You can also use a small split ring and a snap to swap weights quickly.
  - Maintain the same line to front-eyelet connection; consider a slightly longer leader for better knot protection.
  - Retrieve: Slower, deeper sweep with occasional pauses so the lure can bump along the bottom or hover mid-water.
- Why this helps: Gets the lure into deeper thermoclines and over structure where fall bass or pike often feed.

Tips and tricks
- Check the hooks: make sure the rear treble is sharp and not bent. A quick touch-up with a sharpening stone can pay off.
- Color and pattern: The silver body with a green stripe is classic shad-y pattern. If visibility is low (dawn/dusk or stained water), consider a brighter or more contrasting pattern.
- Gear suggestions (quick links):
  - YouTube technique videos for rigging concepts: [How To Rig a Texas Rig (Senko Edition)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pbD-MqIbn8) • [THE BEST way to make your Ned Rig completely WEEDLESS!!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcQavdx0aW0)
  - Deep-drop/rigging options for bigger game: [Deep Drop Rig (5 Hook)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LG2G0EK?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- Practical cadence: In early fall, start slow near weedlines and edges, then speed up or add pauses as you locate active fish. If you’re in clearer water, keep the line tight and the lure closer to the surface; in stained water, a bit deeper and louder retrieves often trigger bites. 🕶️

If you want, I can tailor a setup once you tell me target species, water type (lake/river), and typical depth. You’ve got the right hardware—now let the fall bite begin! 💪 Tight lines and good luck.

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