Forward-facing sonar has forever changed the look of fishing. Tactics have changed. But, whether performed with the most basic equipment or using today’s electronics, spider rigging—also called slow trolling—still catches numbers of fish in a variety of waters and situations.

Full-time crappie guide and Crappie USA Classic Champ David Jones says that spider rigging can be a great way to catch fish on any waters where two or more poles are allowed per fishermen.

“Spider rigging popularity has dropped since LiveScope,” says Jones, “but I still enjoy it. Also, it’s an ideal way for my customers to catch fish. The technique got its name because poles sticking out all around the boat makes it look like a spider. The purpose is to get more baits into the water for an increased chance to catch fish. It evolved over the years with fishermen now having poles out the front of the boat with fishermen positioned side-by-side on the front deck.”

Equipment

The technique requires specialized rigging that’s essential for success.

Jones uses B‘n’M Crappie Wizard and Duck Commander poles, usually in 12-foot lengths. Fourteen-foot poles are for use when fish are finicky, but they are more difficult to handle.

“My line is Gamma 4-pound-test-clear. It’s strong for the pound-test and has been reliable for me for 15 years. I’ll use straight minnows with a double-hook rig, but also use jigs tipped with minnows or scent. I like Crappie Magnet jigs and Slab Bites scent.”

Jones’s pole holders are Bee Ready brand, and he used Garmin electronics. He uses mapping, sonar and LiveScope, but says fishermen don’t need expensive electronics to spider rig.

“Cornfield Fishing Gear mounts have made a huge improvement in my fishing experience. They are easy to adjust, and everything strays put on a ride down the lake in heavy waves,” says Jones. “A good mount protects equipment and improves fishing efficiency.”

Fun catching fish

“Poles are out ahead of a fisherman, or two fishermen side-by-side, in front of the boat. Poles are baited and placed in rod holders. The number of poles can vary, but three per fisherman is a good number where state laws allow. Three is plenty when fish are biting.

“This is a good month for the technique, but I use it year-round. I do other stuff, too, and let the fish dictate the best method to use. The main seasonal difference in the technique is the depth of water being fished.

“The mid to upper stages have crappies in pre-spawn to spawn. The fish like sun warming the shallow-water areas. The actual spawn is determined by water temperature. A weekend fisherman who isn’t on the lake all the time needs to check fishing reports and ask at the bait shop to learn what depth the fish are using, and maybe an area of the lake. That helps get started.”

Jones says that he fishes slowly but doesn’t stay too long if the fish aren’t there or biting. His spider rigging speed is usually 0.1 to 0.2 mph, but he pulls up and uses the big motor when changing spots.

His tip to fishermen is to not make an excuse for the weather; go any time you can. It’s very seldom that the fish aren’t biting somewhere on the lake.

“Jigs and jigs tipped with minnows are good in spring. When the water gets hot in the summer, minnows or jig-minnow combos are best. Jigs are easier to use, and crappies seem to like them from pre-spawn to post-spawn.

“I don’t care which season it is, scent is a good thing. A spider rig tactic in spring uses a mixture of jigs with scent and jigs with a minnow. Pay attention to what the crappies prefer, and then put more of those baits on. Don’t get caught up in using the same bait all the time. We don’t eat the same thing every day, and I don’t believe they do, either.

“Setting the hook is between slowly lifting the pole and setting it like the fish is in China. The hookset must be somewhere in between.

“The number one problem is learning to read the pole tips. A pole tip tells you if you have a bite, a fish is on, you are hung up, or you’re hitting a stump. Learn to read the tip; if you do get hung, don’t set the hook or it will just bury deeper. When hung, flip the bail and carefully work the rod tip up and down to get it loose. If it doesn’t come loose, a slow, steady pull will bend the hook, and you’ll be free without losing the bait or rig.”

Jones says that another thing you need on the boat is a landing net. He might swing fish when fishing by himself, but always nets his clients’ fish. The bigger the fish, the more important it is to net it.

For more fishing insight from the pros who know, check out the next issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.