A fishing rig is a set up designed for use in catching crappies. It is made up of the main line, a weight or base sinker, swivels, bobbers and multiple fishing hooks attached to the rig. Fishing rigs are now frequently used by anglers because they can be used to catch more crappies at the same time. There are so many types of fishing rigs. In this post, we will be discussing one of the popular fishing rigs, the Kentucky rig for crappies.
Kentucky rig for Crappie
The Kentucky rig is quite a simple yet very effective rig for catching crappies. It is a vertical rig that features multiple jigs attached to the mainline. The Kentucky rig for crappies can be made by anglers who have the skill or bought from the fishing supplies stores. The Kentucky rig for crappies features the main line, the leader line, a base sinker, and multiple jigs.
In some cases, the main line which is usually about 12-18 inches is attached to the main line; the jigs are properly spaced and attached to the main line (usually 40-60lb) with loop knots about 5 inches apart.
Some Kentucky rigs feature three-way swivels which are used to attach the leader lines with the jigs. If you choose to make your Kentucky rig, using swivels means you do not need to learn how to tie the loop knot. The base sinker is attached at the end of the rig using either a knot or a single swivel. The bobber helps the keep the main line tight while the base sinker suspends the leader lines at a level where the crappies can be attracted to the jigs.
Fishing for crappies in bigger lakes will require the use of longer Kentucky rigs that feature more than two jigs. This means the weight of the base sinker will be adjusted and a bigger bobber might be required to suspend the jigs in the water.
One of the reasons the Kentucky rig for crappies is a favorite rig used by anglers is because it can be used in cloudy and muddy waters without experiencing snags. The weighted sinkers keep the main line tight while the leader lines with the jigs can be used to slowly troll crappies due to the weight at the bottom.
There are simple techniques that can be used to free the jigs or hooks if the angler experiences a snag. It is essential that the leader lines with the jigs attached to the main line measure about 6 inches, because attaching the jigs too close to the mainline tend to discourage the crappies from taking a bite or getting caught by the treble hooks.
Kentucky rigs for crappies that use knots should be carefully observed to ensure that the knots are well tied before every fishing expedition to avoid losing your tackle. If the knots look like they are coming loose, you can tighten them, or it may be time to replace the rig.
The reviews posted by anglers for the Kentucky rig have been awesome. You can successfully land many crappies with this rig. Please give it a try; I am sure you will have a positive experience as well.
