I started fishing riggies 3 years ago on a trip to MV. I had read so much about there effectiveness but figured they were too hard to rig and that I was doing well with plugs and live eels, why bother? Anyway, I rigged a few and first cast at the Edgartown opening on South Beach I get solid hit/hookup that turns out to be about a 3# shad, with the 8/0 siwash front hook firmly in the mouth. Hmm....not what I was expecting but at least it proved that I could catch fish with these things. Few casts later and I had a 20 and since then I have been in love with these things
How many of you feel the same way I felt and have not used riggies yet?
I have been doing a bit of an unscientific experiment to get a feel for their effectiveness. One of the spots that I fish usually has a pretty good SW in your face. I used to start with needles/darters and could usually scare up a fish or 2. About a month ago, we were getting some half hearted hits but nothing solid. After an hour or so, I switched to the riggie. BAM....first cast(and not a long one) Few casts later I get another, both 20# class fish. We had been dragging plugs over these fish for an hour without a fish. My buddy stayed with a needle and couldn't buy a fish. Somewhat reluctantly I admit, I gave him my only other riggie and he was on within a few casts. Makes me wonder how many other nights I left thinking there were no fish around when they may have been at my feet.
I have also had riggies outfish live eels on quite a few ocassions. Many reasons for this including distance with the riggie, more solid hookups, varied retrieves and also the fact that I am spending much more time with a bait in the water.
I would like to hear some thoughts from you other riggie guru's about some tricks and tips that have worked for you. For those of you that think that plugs or sluggo's are just as good, give it a try and report back
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