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2006-03-01 - Fishing Multiple Spreader Bars |
Many anglers and mates often look at spreader bars as a pain to handle and pull. At times they can be, but the fact remains that they continue to produce more and better catches each time on the water. Spreader bars have actually been around since the early 80s and a select few captains tried their best to keep them a secret, but the word eventually got out and today more boats than ever are pulling them with great success.
I will provide you a look into how we run our spreader bars as the crew from Adrenaline Sportfishing. Please keep in mind that this is not the only way but our way and has worked very well for us.
To date my most effective spread utilizes three spreader bars. The bars are arranged in a “V” pattern. The size and style of the bars we are running are determined by previous day’s reports and what the fish tell us they want on a specific day. Let’s start with the center spreader bar. This is the bar where you have the most versatility. Here you have options; I like to place a large spreader bar in the center of my spread just behind my flat lines. This is a great place to run a 12” Mauler bar or a 15”-20” Bulb Squid Bar. With the middle bar being the initial focal point of your spread, this bar is used to create a lot of commotion and bring fish into your spread. You essentially could pull this bar all day and not get a strike on the bar, but if your baits surrounding it are getting hit, the bar is doing its job. With that being said, we still catch a lot of fish on this center bar as well as surrounding baits.
Finishing off the “V” patter are the two short rigger baits. On both short riggers we will run spreader bars behind the center bar. This is a great place to run 7” or 9” bars. I like to run bars that are the same color and style of bait as the center bar. For example, if I am running a 12” Killer Pink Mauler Bar in the center, I will run a 9” Killer Pink or another pink variation such as Triple Pink off each short riggers. The same holds true when running bulb squid bars. If I have a large bulb squid bar down the center, I will run bulb squid bars off my short riggers.
You certainly can vary the distance these bars are fished, but remember to keep that “V” pattern. Generally our center bar is about 40 feet behind the boat, just behind the flat lines and the short rigger bars are generally run about 15 feet behind and outside the center bar. When you are working a school, keep your baits closer together to generate multiple bites. This represents a tight bait ball and will generate a lot of interest from an entire school of tuna. It is quite a site to see 20 or more tuna crashing your spread and all lines going down!
This technique has worked very well for us in the past and we will continue to practice this method. Keep in mind this is not the only way to do it, but it is our way and has provided us with some great catches. We hope this will help you put more fish in your boat as well!
Tight Lines,
SharkJP
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