A Unique Tandem Rig Setup for More Strikes (Plus Quick Tie Method)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Tackle & Gear, Artifical Lure Tips
What if I told you there’s a way to fish two lures at the same time, and it’s actually making fish go nuts?
This isn’t your typical tandem rig which has one lure trailing behind the other.
The sidekick rig has the 2 lures swimming side by side just like real baitfish when swimming in pairs… and the strikes have been INSANE!
I put this rig to the test and was shocked by the results, and the catch rate has been very effective given how the lures dart around together mimics real baitfish.
Plus, it’s a fun way to see which color the fish are responding to best.
Quickest Tying Method
Here’s a new video showing the fastest way to tie this unique rig:
More Tying Methods
Here’s a longer form video showing the core purpose of this rig, along with some other ways to tie it.
Equipment Shown In These Videos
- Lures: Polk County Tweakers
- Rigging Hooks: Hoss Helix Hooks (3/0)
- Line: Ande Monofilament
Sidekick Rig Experiments
Here are some links to fun color experiments performed using this rig which gives helpful insights on which colors fish respond to in different sunlight conditions.
1) White vs. Dark (redfish, seatrout, & snook)
2) New Penny vs. Dark (redfish & seatrout)
👇 Have you tried this rig or a similar setup? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Your loop knot is very similar to the loop knot that my grandfather taught me when me with one-two exceptions. When you wrap around the line wrap 3 times around. When you finish the knot, hold the running line tight and only pull on the tag end toward the lure. This will make the loop very small and the tag will lay toward the lure so it is less likely to snag or catch grass.
Thanks for sharing the tip
What knot(s) do you recommend to attach the braid main line to the knot in the rig?
I recommend the braid uni knot for that connection. Here’s a video showing how to tie it: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/braid-uni-knot/
Love this & I’m fixin’ to give it a try! Thank you!
Thanks Luke! I have to do mine a little differently, since I have lost my fingerprints and can not consistently tie the same size loop knot, I tie the lures on first and then fold the line in half to be sure where the center is, and then tie it to the braid.
Question… are you using fluorocarbon or mono leader and why?
Thx
I use mono for all of my leaders because fluoro is probably worse in terms of abrasion without any proof of it helping get more strikes. The fact that regular mono is much less expensive is a nice added bonus.
I remember when John skinner did an article for saltstrong talking about using a tandem rig with a bucktail with a curly tail grub on the bottom and then about 18 to 20 inches up the line a non weighted curly tailed grub that he would either slowly drag on the bottom or troll it bumping the bottom in deeper water in new York where he fishes I never really tried it I guess I never had the yearning to use 2 lures at once plus the hassel of sometimes having 2 fish on and having to deal with a tangled mess after landing both fish at once but I know it works im just old fashioned and only use one lure at a time plus my lure of choice being mostly a spinnerbait in the warmer months I definatly wouldn’t try another lure in tandem to that setup I doubt it would work anyway to many moving parts but in your line of work being your always experimenting I can see why you would do it thanks for the info and all you do
It is better not to tie this set up with equal lengths of the lures. It works better if one lure is behind the other. The lines usually tangle either way; but when one is behind, they both perform as if they are free flowing by themselves.
Donkey versus sidekick. I suppose people should use whatever works best for them.
Hey, Luke! Your sidekick leader to mainline braid is an uni knot?? What is the #test of each that you use? Great video! Thanks, man! 😎🎣🧂💪🏻
Yes, I use the braid uni knot (twice through loop and then 10 uni coils) for that connection. I go with 10 lb braid for this setup since I only fish it in open water areas.
Thanks. Luke! 😎🎣🧂💪🏻
I’ve been using that method for many years, however I prefer on off center tie so that one lure follows the other. I’ve had great success. Thanks for sharing.
A system to try,it will work I do believe.especially the knots thank you luke