Tandem-rigged baits serve targeted purposes

Tandem rigs, like a pair of flukes, simulate baitfish clusters. If a bass misses the lead bait, No. 2 follows closely.

How quick are you on the follow-up cast? Can you reel up the first rod, grab a different one and drop a new bait at the point of a missed strike in, say, 10 seconds? A little less? No matter your speed — and assuming you can do it with accuracy — you simply won’t present a follow-up bait faster than a tandem rig.

Think about it. If that fired-up fish missed a strike or changed his mind, but then saw another target in maybe a second or two, you’d stand a strong chance of closing the deal. Particularly effective for schooling bas, tandem-rigged baits increase the target area and thereby give bass more opportunity on the initial or the secondary attack.

Poppers are probably the most common double-up baits, but frogs offer their own set of opportunities. Running tandem-rigged frogs across matted grass is like knocking on the door with both fists. The amphibian duo can deliver big prespawn results when bass are moving up and feeding voraciously. On the beds, one bait may get an irritated look, but a close follower can push the fish over the edge. Likewise, postspawn bass guarding fry will not tolerate a pair of intruders threatening the little ones.

Rig tandem frogs by tying a standard Palomar knot to the lead bait and leaving a tag end of about a foot for attaching the second. You may determine that the fish prefer a certain color, but to maximize your chances, start by pairing two different frogs.

Hard baits with treble hooks are trickier, as the back hook of the first bait may grab the leader when it runs from the front. Remedy this by removing the lead plug’s back hook and running your leader from the bare ring. Rigging a slightly larger bait in the rear position will help avoid tangles, as the heavier plug leads the cast, thereby stretching out the connecting leader.

Another rigging option: Tie the main line to the top of a 3-way swivel and run leaders of 6 and 12 inches off the other two arms.

War Eagle’s Front Runner offers a convenient tandem option. A painted plastic head tapers into two short arms with the lower dangling a feathered treble and the upper sporting an eyelet for attaching your trailing bait.

With this and any tandem rigs, expect diminished lure action, but don’t fret — you’re not trying to trick a discriminating bass; you’re doubling the entrees.

When the shad are spawning, rig up a pair of Fluke-style plastics, and twitch them through the chow line. Remember, the weak and wounded get eaten first, so vary your retrieve to mimic fluttering baits.

Also, try fishing on the outskirts of major bait concentrations. Predators often patrol the perimeters of bait schools in search of the easy pickings.

For added appeal, Alabama pro Gerald Swindle often sticks worm rattles into his Flukes. The clicking lead shot makes the imposters stand out among natural forage. Moreover, the additional weight helps the bait sink for deeper presentations.

About David A. Brown 142 Articles
A full-time freelance writer specializing in sport fishing, David A. Brown splits his time between journalism and marketing communications.

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