About the Rig Creator
Cove Classic
Cove Classics are the time tested standards for the fish, technique, style and season of choice. We've laid out the details and stocked the components. You can spend less time figuring out which swivel works right with a particular rig - and more time fishing.
About the Rig
6 Line Trolling Set Up - Single Lure Way Back
In the illustration of the boat spread to the right, we have an example of a classic Spring trophy season trolling spread for Rockfish / Striped Bass on the Chesapeake Bay. This is a 6 rod spread without planers or outriggers.
We run the lines as follows:
- Umbrella rigs on the 2 outside lines. These rigs will run deeper and shorter.
- Tandems rigs on the next lines in toward the middle. These will run further out and a little shallower.
- Single lures or spoons on the middle lines further out and shallow.
With this lay out, you will be able to navigate controlled turns without fouling lines.
The next illustration represents the set up for the Single Lures shot way back from the center of the spread - 170 feet and 200 feet back.
Rods
The rod and reel selections will be the same as the Tandem Rig recommendations. The ideal rod will be slightly lighter than the ones used for the umbrella rigs. The ideal Penn rod for this set up is the 3145RS version. Within the Talavera series, we would stick with the Shimano Talavera TEC63HRS.
The Cove Regional Series rods that Bill has designed to fit this application are the CBT-G-66-MH the Cove Glass version and the CBT-CB-66-MH, a carbon fiber blend. The fiberglass option is a rugged durable brute while the carbon blend offer the same strength with less weight.
Reels
The Okuma CV45-L is a great, reasonably priced option. The Penn 330 GT-2 is another good alternative - and probably the reel most often seen on the Bay in the Spring. The new Okuma SLR-15L will work well with this set up.
Line
- For the mainline, we recommend a good 30 pound test mono in either clear or high vis yellow. The high vis yellow offers a practical advantage - it is easy to see as you are setting lines or reeling in.
- For the leader sections, there is no problem sticking with a mono - just up the test to 60 pounds. Once again we recommend either the clear or high vis yellow.
Terminal Tackle
- End of the mainline - Coastlock Snap Swivel - Size 1. Some folks prefer the ball bearing version, but we have not found it necessary for the mainline snap swivel.
- For this set up we are going to tie one end of a 6 foot leader directly to the lure. A six foot section of 60 pound mono will do the trick. For best results, use a crimp, allowing a small loop which will provide the lure freedom of movement. On the other end of the leader, tie a coast lock snap swivel. If you are using a spoon, this has to be the ball bearing version of the coast lock snap swivel to allow the line to spin.
Between the coastlock snap swivel at the end of the mainline and the coastlock snap swivel at the end of the leader, insert the in-line sinker for the set up.
Lures
Two great choices for the single lure are a parachute or a spoon. We have picked out a few parachutes on the right - rigged with 9 inch shads and stinger hooks. For spoons, we like the PET spoons. Don't be afraid to step the whole way up to an 8" #21 Pet spoon. A third effective choice here is a single 9" Tsumani.
A couple productive choices are laid out on the right of this page.