TrollTrue lures will work with a variety of rigging styles. The TrollTrue recommended rigging will work best for most fishing situations. 60 lb leader is recommended for drags up to about 30 lbs. Step up to 100 lb leader for heavier drags.
List of Materials
The leader material shown is Berkley Big Game monofilament in 60 lb test. Alternative leader material is flourocarbon or 7-strand wire.
All leader material can be tied exactly the same as described except with a few minor differences as noted in the instructions below.
Leaders can be tied as shown up to about 100 lb test. Heavier leader can crimped.
The nose hook is a 4/0 live bait hook. Mustad 94151-NI or similar. The size and style of this hook is particularly important because it has to fit the mating lure.
TrollTrue's standard 60 lb class rigging includes a Size 1 4X treble hook as the trailer hook. VMC 9626 BN or similar. Alternative trailer hooks can be J-hooks or circle hooks.
Snell down the trailer hook
Insert leader tag end through the trailer hook eye and hold in place with your thumb.
Starting at the hook eye wrap 5-6 tight wraps down the hook shaft.
Complete the snell for the trailer hook
Wrap two wraps back up the hook shaft over the descending wraps and out back through the hook eye.
Too many descending wraps and not adding a second ascending wrap can cause the snell to loosen. Don't stress if it does. It is only cosmetic and the snell will still not fail.
When using 7-strand wire, fewer descending wraps and only a single ascending wrap is fine. Bend the 7-strand wire as it leaves the hook eye to get it in line with the hook shaft. This will help hold the wraps in place as well.
Establish the distance between the hooks
For the TrollTrue standard 60 lb rigging the distance between the hook eyes is 4". This will fit a medium ballyoo or a cigar minnow well and minimizes short strikes.
Increase the distance to 4.5-5" for larger baits. The trailer hook should be about 2/3 of the way down the body of the baitfish. Too far back and it can interfere with the action of the ballyhoo.
For large baits, including ribbonfish, multiple trailer hooks can be snelled in series along the bait.
Snell the nose hook
Follow the same process for the nose hook as with the trailer hook.
5-6 descending wraps and 2 ascending wraps and back out the hook eye.
Complete the rig
TrollTrue rigs are not terminated on other end of the leader. This allows for skirts to be used with the rigs if desired.
To complete the rigs, with or without a skirt, tie on a quality barrel swivel.
Use a Uni-knot for monofilament or a Figure 8 knot for 7-strand wire.
100 lb Rigging
TrollTrue offers custom rigging as well including a variety of leader material and strength as well as alternative trailer hooks.
Shown is 100 lb rigging with an 8/0 J-hook.
Anglers typically have the best success orientating the trailing J-hook is the same direction as the nose hook.
