Great Opening Weekend ...... Wonder Rig Strikes Again !!!

[Blackfish Bobby]

A good start for us in the skinny water.....Fished a few hours each day on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Some nice limits and some quality fish. Was not expecting much yesterday with the muddy water but it was the complete opposite on the tide change with constant action.

The wonderful WONDER RIG out produced everything and this fish fell victim to the 12lb test , #2 hook and an Atlantic B&T killie As they say....Elephants eat peanuts !!! Came to net twice and decided to go back down and check out the bottom. Then my partner decides to smack the fish in rear end with the net !!!! Needless to say we got all the fight and more out of that fish.
Was approached by a couple fishing in a rental who asked "what in the world are you guys using ?" They were old fashion bait dragging and not having much luck. He said he was trying to get his girl on some fluke. So I quickly tied them a WONDER RIG and said tie this to her main line and follow our drift. At last count before we limited and left she put several fluke in the boat with one being a nice keeper.....They were thrilled.
All in all a very nice start to the season .... Go get em guys.... Tight Lines

[bakayd]

Great report. I’m sure it’s out there somewhere on this site but can you help describe or post a pic of the wonder rig. Want to take my boys out and was hoping to increase my chances of some keepers inside the inlet. Thanks a lot

[Arbutis]

Nice post Bobby - it's great to be appreciated. Thanks. But stay over in the Navesink and leave the Shrews to me! Kudos for helping out that other boat. That's what it's all about.
I've only been able to get out one time (Saturday afternoon - nearly dead low tide - not ideal by any means). I took two very enthusiastic young fisher-kids that live on my street and we slayed them from start to finish (which was only 2 hours in the middle of the day with boats galore).

The Wonder Rig proved its worth - and then some. These youngsters have never caught a fish before! On first drift I tossed my line out quickly and while I was helping the first kid hook her killie on, my rod bends straight over. Then, while I start helping her brother hook his bait, she hooks up almost immediately. Long story short, we caught 11 keepers to 22 inches and about 5 shorts. No gut hooks. We left when we ran out of killies. AND - we were the only boat I saw catch ANYTHING. These kids had an afternoon they won't soon forget.
One fish broke this young girl's line at the boat and 2 minutes later I hooked and landed the same fish with her entire rig still hooked in its mouth! Incredible.
All fish were caught on the killie and #4 hook - except for one which had the killie hook AND the bucktail with gulp both hooked in her mouth. These fluke are hungry!

[Blackfish Bobby]

Hey Doug..... OK ..I will represent in the Navesink.
Bottom line.... It works !!!
I have turned on a few friends and complete unkowns on the river fishing with their kids to this rig. It is GREAT for kids !!! I have told many many more to watch your youtube spots. Simple and effective !!!! I have also had many who think I am nuts when I cut the hook off the jig !!! Gotta love it .

[Arbutis]

I don't cut the hook off the jig anymore unless there is a lot of seaweed. But even with the regular jig, all fish are caught on the killie (well, 99% I would honestly say)

[SaltLife1980]

Dont get this whole wonder rig thing. All it looks like is dragging bait with a jig for the weight.

[damnyankee]

couldn't you just tie an extra long dropper loop and eliminate the swivel? I also don't use swivels to the main line, just tie a bimini twist in my braid and then tie a clinch knot with the top shot. I've never had problems with twisting using this method.

[SaltLife1980]

Originally Posted by damnyankee

couldn't you just tie an extra long dropper loop and eliminate the swivel? I also don't use swivels to the main line, just tie a bimini twist in my braid and then tie a clinch knot with the top shot. I've never had problems with twisting using this method.

I too use no terminal tackle. Albright knot to leader then dropper loop to surgeons loop. 3 knots Been doing this for years without any issues.

[Skolmann]

Been using “The Wonder Rig” for 20+ years. Small 3-way swivel..one eye to main line, second eye 8-10 inches of mono to bucktail (originally used bank sinker); third eye 30-36” of light leader material to 1-1/0 live bait or light wire hook.

[SaltLife1980]

Sounds to me that its a bait rig with a long leader.. And a jig with no hook as weight...