Two-Hook Rigs

EDITOR'S NOTE: This week, you'll learn how to catch more snapper, grouper, triggerfish and amberjack. We'll show you how to rig and how to catch the big ones. Our guest, Captain Mike Parker of the charter boat the "Silver King" in Destin, Florida, has fished most of his life and daily takes charters out for all the targeted bottom species.

QUESTION: Describe a two-hook rig, and tell when you fish it, how you fish with it, and how you bait with Killer Bee products.

ANSWER: You create a two-hook rig when you place two different hooks, one about 10 or 12 inches above the other on the same line. Next add a lead 10 to 15 inches below the bottom hook and lower the rig to the bottom. Reel the lead up several cranks off the bottom, and point the rod tip down close to the water. Then when you feel a bite, you can set the hook on the fish by jerking back really hard. The two hooks give you opportunities to catch several different kinds of bottom fish. This versatile rig can help you catch grouper, snapper, mingo, black snapper or triggerfish.

QUESTION: You don't have a swivel on this rig, do you?

ANSWER: No, but you can make this rig with swivels.

QUESTION: What size main line do you use?

ANSWER: The main line on the rod again will go anywhere from 40- to 80-pound test. I generally use 40-pound test line.

QUESTION: Then you use what pound-test swivel?

ANSWER: We'll go from 40 to 80.

QUESTION: And what pound test do you use for the main line of the two-hook rig?

ANSWER: That line will be from 40 to 60 pounds.

QUESTION: Then you've got a loop off the main line. What size hook have you got on that loop?

ANSWER: A No.1.

QUESTION: Why a No.1?

ANSWER: A No.1 is a good, all-around size on which you can catch triggers, snapper and groupers. Because of its strength, it will hold about any bottom fish you catch on it.

QUESTION: What do you use for the bottom hooks?

ANSWER: You can use the same size bottom and top hook, but you may vary up the baits. You may have two pieces of squid, use two cigar minnows or put a piece of squid on the top and a cigar minnow on the bottom.

QUESTION: Let's talk about when you use a whole squid on the top and a whole cigar minnow on the bottom. Why would you rig those two big baits together?

ANSWER: You'll use these two big baits to put a lot of smell in the water when you're looking for a good-sized snapper. Then you can really stir some fish up and possibly take a good-sized snapper.

QUESTION: How do you set the hook when you fish those two big baits?

ANSWER: You want your rod tip down very close to the water, almost touching it. As soon as you feel a big snapper bump your rig, set the hook as hard as you can.

QUESTION: Sometimes you'll cut a cigar minnow in half and bait with half a cigar minnow or else cut a squid in half or even thirds and bait with that portion of the squid. When do you fish that way?

ANSWER: You use this technique when you hope to get some smaller or medium-sized snappers -- not necessarily the bigger snappers. This tactic gives this size snapper the chance to get the whole bait in its mouth, and you may catch a triggerfish too.

For more information on fishing with Killer Bee Squid or Killer Bee Cigar Minnows, contact Killer Bee at P.O. Box 1384, Pascagoula, MS 39568, (877) 557-2248, www.killerbeebait.com.

To learn more fishing for bottom feeders in the Gulf of Mexico, call or write Captain Mike Parker at the charter boat Silver King, 408 Lee Lane, Destin, FL, 32541, (850) 837-2028. You can also check out his website at www.destincharterboats.com or e-mail him at mike@destincharterboats.com.

Tomorrow: The Size Of Bait Determines The Size Of The Catch