Build an all-purpose multi-hook rig for snapper, grouper, tilefish and more.
Steve Kantner
Deep-dropping is a popular method for targeting tasty deep-water snappers, groupers and tilefish. Multiple-hook rigs prevail due to the time and effort required to make drops to wrecks and ledges hundreds (or thousands) of feet down. Capt. Anthony DiGuilian at Ft. Lauderdale's shows how to assemble a typical five-hook dropper rig that's used in conjunction with electric reels, sash-weight sinkers and industrial-strength lines.
MATERIALS: 300-pound monofilament leader, Mustad 13/0 circle hooks, 300-pound size-F crimps, heavy-duty three-way swivels, glow beads and a crimping tool.
Measure out and cut five 1-foot lengths of monofilament for the droppers, and six 2-foot lengths of mono for the connecting lines.
Since you'll be building multiple droppers at once, the best method is to lay out the materials and put the rig together assembly-line style. Start by crimping a circle hook onto each dropper line, and add a glow bead.
Crimp the opposite end of each of your dropper lines to a three-way swivel.
Once all five droppers are assembled, join the five swivels together with the 2-foot connector lines, again using crimps.
On each end of the rig you'll have two free connectors. Crimp a heavy-duty swivel onto one end for attaching your weight. Crimp a simple loop onto other end for attaching the rig to your main line.
Choose an appropriate weight according to wind, depth and current speed. Some deep-drop anglers will occasionally add a loop of lighter mono between the weight and swivel as break-away protection.
The completed rig can be baited with either live or dead baits. It pays to build a number of the dropper rigs at once before you head out. Coil them up and secure with a rubber band for tangle-free storage.
