Hootchie Rig

[LisaMarie]

I've been using mooching rigs to slip a hootchie on to run them. Do you guys do anything different? I always learn something new by what others are doing.

[Ray G]

I personally don't use a mooching rig for a hootchie.

I like a 40lb Segaur leader, the higher lb lines are very stiff allowing the flasher to whip the hootchie making it pump like a real squid. I also will run the hooks 2-3" apart making sure that the back hook does not stick out past the skirt of the hootchie. Lastly I will put a UV bead between the hooks as to keep them from getting tangled and to add a little body and color to the hootchie.

Good luck,
Ray

[LisaMarie]

Still running octopus hooks?

[Nelly]

Definitely octopus hooks.

The large ring of a siwash does not accomodate the leader as well as a hook designed for the snell or "leader loop" knot.

I've also messed around with "Finesse Wide Gap" as a top hook but Rayray has it right with both the distance between and the glo bead between the hooks.

As far as inserts and twinkle skirts go, it's personal preference as I've had good luck on both "gussied up" hootchies with the inserts and "naked" squid with a thin herring strip tucked up inside!

[Ryan]

I like to rig mine like Ray with the bottom hook not dangling too low. The fellas at Ted's Sports Center in Lynnwood tie them perfect to my way of thinking. They usually have pre-tied hootchie leaders for sale at the counter.

[Dan Carney]

I tie my own on 50lb test. I tie the bottom hook with a standard snell not, but I tie the top hook with an egg loop hook.
This allows me to get teh exact spacing I desire. another trick I recently heard but haven't tried yet is to cut a small piece of sponge and put in on the top hook inside the hoochie, then squirt your favorite scent on the sponge. Sounds like a good idea, but I wonder if the sponge has a scent that repels fish as opposed to attract them?
L8R
Dan

[baddawg]

I tie my own, 40lb stiff leader and octopus hooks tied with an inch or so between the top of the lower hook and the bottom of the top hook. I use a little piece of coffee straws and slide them down the leader and then slide my hoochie on. Then trim the straw so the bottom hook dangles just past the end of the hoochie.
Take a look at Capt. Downriggins site (hope it is OK to post this). He has pictures of how he rigs his hoochies that will give you an idea of what all these other folks and me are talking about. I do not tie my hooks as close together as he does.