TROPHY™ HIGH LOW BAIT RIGS

Saltwater High Low Surf Rig with 8/0 Circle Hooks - Bait Clams - Location: Massachusetts, Photo Courtesy Dr. George De Franca

 

WHY USE THE TROPHY™ HIGH LOW BAIT RIG DESIGN?

Compare to the basic three-way swivel rig, the “Helicopter Rig”.....

• The weight is not at the end of the rig so when you cast there's resistance caused by the bait and/or float, trailing behind, resulting in the crazy spinning called “helicoptering.” The three-way swivel rig gets twisted, in the air during the cast and twisted even more in the water. That is especially true when there is a good current. You need to fish in moving water! Current flow is super important!
• Once the three-way swivel rig is in the water the weight is in a set position, between you and the fish making it often difficult to detect a hit because all you feel is the weight and so does the fish.
• Oftentimes you are too late to set the hook because the fish felt the pull of the weight and already dropped the bait. If you are using a three-way swivel rig with a circle hook your hook ratio is less because in order for a circle hook to work properly the fish must pick up the bait and make a turn away.
• Worst of all with three-way swivel rigs is that there's the high probability of gut hooking a fish, even with circle hooks.

The Trophy™ High-Low Rig eliminates all of the problems above and will work with different baits. More than any other rig, it simply catches fish.

MAJOR BENEFITS

• You can cast it up to 20% further than a standard High-Low and there are no darn neon red or green floats. "Helicopter" casts are eliminated!
• The use of heavy duty 150 pound test Trophy Crane Live Bait Barrel Swivels at each end prevents the whole thing from twisting and tangling in the water and won't fail under pressure.
• The Trophy Duo-Lock Snap attached to the bottom swivel is rated at 150 pounds and makes it simple to change weights. Commercial rigs do not have a snap of any kind, just a small loop.
• The short dropper loops prevent twisting, dramatically improve casting distance, eliminate a terminal knot and normally eliminate the need for bait holding thread.
• Gamakatsu hooks are super sharp and strong. More fish are lost due to dull hooks than any other reason!
• Momoi Hi-Catch® Monofilament line is the choice of custom rig tiers for offshore big game species such as Tuna and Marlin. In my opinion it's about 10,000% better than the mono used in imported commercial rigs.
• It holds the bottom in the roughest surf.
• It is easier to detect the lightest of strikes.
• Catch and Release, the fish are never hooked deep or in the gut, 99% are hooked in the corner of the mouth or in the lip.

WHY BUY TROPHY™ HIGH LOW BAIT RIGS

There are many companies making “high-low” rigs but the Trophy™ High Low Bait Rig is unique. It's a +50 year old design developed by three NJ fishing buddies who developed it by trial and error in the 1950's. Take another look at this picture of the Trophy™ High Low Bait Rig . Now compare that to the commercially made rigs you buy. They are too short, they are horrible to cast, most of them use very cheap and very dull hooks, there is no barrel swivel or snap on the bottom and the top swivel is too light. The dropper loops are way too long, made with as few as two turns on the line and the line used is usually a “hard” grayish colored monofilament which even a half blind fish can see underwater.

Can your high low rig handle two big fish at the same time? New York's most famous striper fisherman, the subject of the book, Night Tides, Billy "The Greek" Legakis said:

"When you're fishing bait for stripers, you can't go with a better pre-tied rig than Bob D'Amico's Saltwater High Low. With fresh chunks on both hooks, I've consistently landed doubles of 30 pound + fish without any problem. Give me this classic combo of simplicity matched-up with quality components any day of the week!"

HIGH LOW RIG TYPES — SPECIFICATIONS, COMPONENTS, & APPLICATIONS

SALTWATER High - Low Bait Rig: Measure ±48 inches (1.22m) in length and were originally designed for surf fishing. tied with 60 pound (27.2 kg) test clear Momoi® Hi-Catch monofilament. I tie the Dropper Loops “short,” to match the size of the hooks in order to maintain the casting ability of this rig. I use Gamakatsu Octopus, Baitholder and Octopus Circle hooks because they are extremely sharp and do not require additional manual sharpening. Hooks are NS Black or Red plated. Black 150 pound (68 kg) test Trophy Barrel Swivels are attached to each end. A 150 pound (1-½") Trophy DuoLock snap is attached to the bottom swivel for the weight.

TOURNAMENT TROPHY™ Saltwater High - Low Bait Rig: Incorporate offshore fishing technology of Spring Loop Line Protectors and swaged sleeve assembly of the barrel swivels to withstand the higher tensile pressure, shock and chafing from both casting and true trophy sized fish. Made with your choice of Gamakatsu hooks on 80 pound (36.3 kg) test clear Momoi® Hi-Catch monofilament, top and bottom black 150 pound (68 kg) test Trophy Crane Barrel Swivels swaged on with the world's strongest sleeves, Momoi Hi-Catch® Silver Loks. A 150 pound stainless steel Trophy DuoLock snap is attached to the bottom swivel for the weight. Measures ±48 inches (1.22m) in length.

“BJPF” High Low Bait Rig: An acronym for Boat, Jetty, Pier and Freshwater. The rig measures ±36 inches (91.4 cm) in length and can be used for drifting or anchored up in a boat, cast from a jetty, pier or any freshwater application. Tied with 60 pound test clear Momoi® Hi-Catch monofilament and Gamakatsu hooks. Black 150 pound test Trophy Barrel Swivels are attached to the top and bottom of the rig. A black 150 pound (1-½") Trophy DuoLock snap is attached to the bottom swivel for the weight.

TOURNAMENT TROPHY™ PIER & PARTY BOAT High Low Bait Rig: Heavy duty version of the “BJPF” built to handle fishing from a high Pier or Party Boat and big fish. The rig measures ±36 inches (91.4 cm) in length and tied with 80 Lb test clear Momoi® Hi-Catch monofilament. Black 150 Lb test top Crane Barrel Swivel with Stainless Steel Spring Loop Line Protector attached with swaged aluminum sleeve. Bottom Crane Barrel Swivel rated at 100 Lb test, attached via a Palomar knot. A black 150 pound (1-½") Trophy DuoLock snap is attached to the bottom swivel for the weight.

CASTING: Use a simple over the shoulder cast for the “BJPF” and Pier & Party Boat High Low Rigs. The very easy “Off The Beach” cast (OTB) is ideal for the Saltwater and Tournament Trophy Saltwater High Low Bait Rigs. Detailed instructions and a nifty “how-to” diagram can be read and printed on this page: Off The Beach Cast. You can also use the Pendulum cast for any of these rigs however I suggest you practice it to the point of perfection or you could hurt yourself, or others or break a window, dent a fender in your 4x4.

WEIGHTS and SINKERS: Use the correct type of weight for your fishing situation. For saltwater surf fishing where currents are present a Pyramid, Sputnik or Hatteras weight is required. For drift or anchored up in a boat, jetties, piers, docks and most freshwater fishing use Bank, Walking or Drop Casting sinkers (aka Bass Casting sinker).

LIVELINING: These rigs can be used for livelining baitfish but are not suitable for use with live eels. (more FAQ's)

TROLLING: In fresh or saltwater use the 46" long Saltwater High - Low Bait Rig. Attach a sliding Egg sinker or Trolling sinker or sinker slide with weight to your main line. Tie your main line directly to the rig's top barrel swivel. On the end with the DuoLock snap attach another weight such as 1 ounce Bank Sinker or Drop Casting sinker, this holds the end down. You can also use a Bucktail or lead headed, soft body jig as a stinger hook but note that this makes the rig illegal according IGFA angling rules and perhaps your State's angling rules as well. Same set up with downriggers, planner boards, wire or lead core line except eliminate the sliding Egg or Trolling sinker.

Packaging: Each rig is coiled, tied, and packed in a heavy duty (4mm) re-sealable clear plastic pouch. Depending upon size, orders are packed in a bubble padded mailer or boxed.

Mike M. 40 pounds - 47 inch Striped Bass (Rockfish), Mantoloking, NJ

Al Adam - Red Drum (Redfish) - Outer Banks, NC

Michael Didmenico -60 pound 50 inch Black Drum -Tournament Trophy™ High Low Bait Rig -Brigantine, NJ

RECOMMENDED HOOK SIZES & TYPES

The type and size of the hook is dependent on the type of fishing and the species of fish you will be targeting.

Circle hooks are ideal when fishing from a boat or a fixed position such as the surf or a jetty. Do not immediately set the hook when a pickup is detected. Allow fish a short run before applying full pressure. In order for a circle hook to work properly the fish must pick up the bait and make a turn away. Circle hooks set themselves over fish's lip through the jaw (picture). Do not bury the hook's point and barb in your bait, it must be exposed (refer to Circle Hooks "Centripetal Acceleration" on StriperSurf.com for more information).

Octopus and Baitholder hooks: The choice between these "J" type hooks is dependent on your bait. Baitholders are ideal for small baits such as clams, crabs, squid and worms. Octopus hooks are good for large chunks.

Hook Plating (Color): All hooks have NS Black plating. Occasionally, we may supply hooks with Red plating. There is really nothing special about red since it is the first color of the spectrum to disappear underwater. Anything you may read about red hooks being superior is just marketing hype.

Hook Sizes: Most people use smaller hooks than they should. The following are the basic recommended sizes for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Black or Red Drum.

Saltwater or Freshwater Hook Type	Size	Saltwater Hook Type	Size	Freshwater Hook Type	Size	Black or Red Drum Type	Size
Baitholder	5/0	Circle (Boat)	8/0	Circle (Boat)	6/0 or 7/0	Circle	8/0, 9/0, 10/0
Octopus	7/0	Circle (Fixed)	7/0	Circle (Fixed)	6/0	Octopus	8/0, 9/0, 10/0

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HIGH - LOW BAIT RIG SAMPLER SET 1 EACH: SALTWATER RIG - TOURNAMENT TROPHY™ RIG & "BJPF" RIG $17.49/Set of Three (3) Rigs
1 Saltwater Rig with 5/0 Baitholder hooks - 1 Tournament Trophy™ Rig with 7/0 Octopus hooks 1 “BJPF” Rig with 7/0 Circle hooks

SALTWATER HIGH - LOW BAIT RIGS $15.99/Set of Three (3) Rigs
GAMAKATSU BAITHOLDER HOOKS
SALTWATER - All 3 Rigs - with same size Baitholder Hooks	Select Hook Size 3/0 Baitholder 4/0 Baitholder 5/0 Baitholder 6/0 Baitholder
Saltwater - Set of Three (3) Rigs with 4/0, 5/0 & 6/0 Baitholder Hooks
GAMAKATSU OCTOPUS HOOKS
Saltwater - All 3 Rigs - with same size hooks	Select Hook Size           5/0 Octopus 6/0 Octopus 7/0 Octopus 8/0 Octopus 9/0 Octopus 10/0 Octopus
Saltwater - Set of Three (3) Rigs - with 3 sizes of Octopus hooks	Select Hook SET 5/0 + 6/0 + 7/0 Octopus 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 Octopus 7/0 + 8/0 +9/0 Octopus 8/0 + 9/0 + 10/0 Octopus
GAMAKATSU CIRCLE HOOKS
Saltwater - All 3 Rigs - with same size Circle Hooks	Select Hook Size        5/0 Circles 6/0 Circles 7/0 Circles 8/0 Circles
Saltwater - Set of Three (3) Rigs - with 6/0, 7/0 & 8/0 Circle hooks
Saltwater - SINGLE RIG: $6.00 Each	Select Hook Type & Size 3/0 Baitholder 4/0 Baitholder 5/0 Baitholder 6/0 Baitholder --------------- 5/0 Circle 6/0 Circle 7/0 Circle 8/0 Circle --------------- 5/0 Octopus 6/0 Octopus 7/0 Octopus 8/0 Octopus 9/0 Octopus 10/0 Octopus

MIXED HOOK SETS — $15.99/Set of Three (3) Rigs
A	Saltwater - Mixed Hook Set A (1 each 4/0 Baitholder, 6/0 Octopus, 6/0 Circle)
B	Saltwater - Mixed Hook Set B (1 each 5/0 Baitholder, 6/0 & 7/0 Octopus)
C	Saltwater - Mixed Hook Set C (1 Rig: 7/0 Octopus, 2 Rigs 7/0 & 8/0 Circle)
D	Saltwater - Mixed Hook Set D (1 each 6/0 Baitholder, 8/0 Octopus & 8/0 Circle)
E	SAMPLER - Saltwater - Mixed Hook Set E ( 1 each 5/0 Baitholder, 7/0 Octopus & 7/0 Circle)

TOURNAMENT TROPHY™ HIGH - LOW BAIT RIGS $19.99/Set of Three (3) Rigs
Tournament Trophy Rigs - All 3 Rigs - GAMAKATSU Baitholder hooks	Select Hook Size 3 rigs 5/0 Baitholder 3 rigs 6/0 Baitholder 2 rigs 5/0 & 1 rig 6/0 2 rigs 6/0 & 1 rig 5/0
Tournament Trophy Rigs - All 3 Rigs - GAMAKATSU Octopus hooks	Select Hook Size 6/0 Octopus 7/0 Octopus 8/0 Octopus 9/0 Octopus 10/0 Octopus
Tournament Trophy Rigs - Set of 3 Rigs - with 3 sizes of Octopus hooks	Select Hook SET 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 7/0 + 8/0 + 9/0 8/0 + 9/0 + 10/0
Tournament Trophy Rigs - All 3 Rigs - GAMAKATSU CIRCLE	Select Hook Size 6/0 CIRCLE 7/0 CIRCLE 8/0 CIRCLE 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 2 rigs 6/0 & 1 rig 7/0 2 rigs 7/0 & 1 rig 8/0 2 rigs 8/0 & 1 rig 7/0
Tournament Trophy - Mixed Hook Set ( 1 Rig 6/0 Baitholder, 1 Rig 8/0 Octopus & 1 Rig 8/0 Circle)
Tournament Trophy - SINGLE RIG: $7.00 Each	Select Hook Type & Size 5/0 Baitholder 6/0 Baitholder --------------- 6/0 Circle 7/0 Circle 8/0 Circle --------------- 6/0 Octopus 7/0 Octopus 8/0 Octopus 9/0 Octopus 10/0 Octopus

"BJPF" - BOAT, JETTY, PIER & FRESHWATER 36" HIGH - LOW BAIT RIGS $15.99/Set of Three (3) Rigs
GAMAKATSU BAITHOLDER HOOKS
BJPF - All 3 Rigs - with same size Baitholder Hooks	Select Hook Size 3/0 Baitholder 4/0 Baitholder 5/0 Baitholder 6/0 Baitholder
BJFP - Set of Three (3) Rigs with 3 sizes of Baitholder Hooks	Select Hook SET 3/0 + 4/0 + 5/0 4/0 + 5/0 + 6/0
GAMAKATSU OCTOPUS HOOKS
BJPF - All 3 Rigs - with same size Octopus hooks	Select Hook Size 5/0 Octopus 6/0 Octopus 7/0 Octopus 8/0 Octopus
BJPF - Set of Three (3) Rigs - with 3 sizes of Octopus hooks	Select Hook SET 5/0 + 6/0 + 7/0 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 7/0 + 8/0 + 9/0
GAMAKATSU CIRCLE HOOKS
BJPF - All 3 Rigs - with same size Circle Hooks	Select Hook Size 5/0 Circles 6/0 Circles 7/0 Circles 8/0 Circles
BJPF - Set of Three (3) Rigs - with 3 sizes of Circle hooks	Select Hook SET 5/0 + 6/0 + 7/0 Circles 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 Circles

“BJPF” MIXED HOOK SETS — $15.99/Set of Three (3) Rigs
F	BJPF - Mixed Hook Set F ( 2 Rigs: 4/0 & 5/0 Baitholder, 1 Rig 5/0 Circle)
G	BJPF - Mixed Hook Set G ( 1 Rig 4/0 Baitholder, 2 Rigs 5/0 & 6/0 Circle)
H	BJPF - Mixed Hook Set H ( 2 Rigs: 5/0 & 6/0 Baitholder, 1 Rig 7/0 Circle)
I	BJPF - Mixed Hook Set I ( 1 Rig 4/0 Baitholder, 1 Rig 5/0 Octopus, 1 Rig 6/0 Circle )
J	SAMPLER - BJPF - Mixed Hook Set J ( 1 Rig 5/0 Baitholder, 1 Rig 6/0 Octopus, 1 Rig 7/0 Circle )

TROPHY™ PIER & PARTY BOAT HIGH - LOW BAIT RIGS $18.99/Set of Three (3) Rigs
GAMAKATSU BAITHOLDER HOOKS
Trophy Pier & Party Boat - All 3 Rigs - with Baitholder Hooks	Select Hook Size 3 Rigs - 5/0 Baitholder 3 Rigs - 6/0 Baitholder 2 - 5/0 + 1 - 6/0 1 - 5/0 + 2 - 6/0
GAMAKATSU OCTOPUS HOOKS
Trophy Pier & Party Boat - All 3 Rigs - with same size Octopus hooks	Select Hook Size 3 Rigs - 5/0 Octopus 3 Rigs - 6/0 Octopus 3 Rigs - 7/0 Octopus 3 Rigs - 8/0 Octopus 3 Rigs - 9/0 Octopus 3 Rigs - 10/0 Octopus
Trophy Pier Special - Set of Three (3) Rigs - with 3 sizes of Octopus hooks	Select Hook SET 1 Each - 5/0 + 6/0 + 7/0 1 Each - 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 1 Each - 7/0 + 8/0 + 9/0 1 Each - 8/0 + 9/0 + 10/0
GAMAKATSU CIRCLE HOOKS
Trophy Pier & Party Boat - Set of Three (3) Rigs - with Circle hooks	Select Hooks 3 Rigs - 5/0 Hooks 3 Rigs - 6/0 Hooks 3 Rigs - 7/0 Hooks 3 Rigs - 8/0 Circles 1 Each - 5/0 + 6/0 + 7/0 Circles 1 Each - 6/0 + 7/0 + 8/0 Circles
Trophy Pier & Party Boat - SINGLE RIG: $6.75 Each	Select Hook Type & Size 5/0 Baitholder 6/0 Baitholder --------------- 6/0 Circle 7/0 Circle 8/0 Circle --------------- 6/0 Octopus 7/0 Octopus 8/0 Octopus 9/0 Octopus 10/0 Octopus