Modified Free Rig Using Bobber Stop

[lynxcat]

I tried the Free Rig for the first time today and interested in a modification to try tomorrow. I’m using a bobber stop to “force” separation between the free rig weight and the lure….going to create at least 18-24inches…so no matter what happens when I “pop” the weight up in the water column to create separation, my bait will always start with a minimum amount of separation. 
 

I think the principles of the Free Rig still hold true…the weight will crash back down to bottom and  pull the plastic rapidly and then it will free float to the bottom. I should be able to have more consistent separation between weight and plastic throughout the cast is the idea. 
 

Anyone done this modification?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I've been meaning to try it the last week or two.....lost two C-Rigs  in a day and where I want to throw them that's gonna be a pattern it seems.     Rather just lose a Free Rig or two than tie up a whole new stupid rig.  

 

Only time I want to do this in the above scenario, whatever voodoo magic the standard free rig has, I ain't touching it in any other applications.  Something super nuanced to the standard rigging that big Bass especially can't resist.    

[Pat Brown]

This is what I do now and it definitely works great!

[RRocket]

17 hours ago, lynxcat said:

I tried the Free Rig for the first time today and interested in a modification to try tomorrow. I’m using a bobber stop to “force” separation between the free rig weight and the lure….going to create at least 18-24inches…so no matter what happens when I “pop” the weight up in the water column to create separation, my bait will always start with a minimum amount of separation. 
 

I think the principles of the Free Rig still hold true…the weight will crash back down to bottom and  pull the plastic rapidly and then it will free float to the bottom. I should be able to have more consistent separation between weight and plastic throughout the cast is the idea. 
 

Anyone done this modification?

I fish the Free Rig most days and I think I understand what your're trying to do.

 

I control the separation via the weight/buoyancy of my bait and the Free Rig weight. A little experimenting is required. Some baits drop slower than others. And sinker weight also plays a role in separation.

 

If I REALLY want separation, I'll use a floating type plastic (Z-man). You can separate it repeatedly after the weight has hit bottom by merely putting the rod tip down/line slack. Rod tip down and the bait floats back up the water column. Remove slack to bring it back to weight on bottom and repeat.

 

Using a floating bait opens up some fun presentations! 

 

As mentioned, a little experimenting is key. I had to play around with weights to get the separation and resulting action and flapping behavior on the fall from a Dolive Beaver. Using too light a weight didn't pull the Beaver down hard enough to get the arms really flapping on the drop.

 

I was trying to achieve what you see in the video.

 

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBaLcwUcP_po-JP7tD2wbOgRNw3etZyi7?feature=shared

 

 

[WRB]

You are basically describing the Slip Shot rig using free rig sinker. Your soft plastic needs to float the hook it’s rigged with or the plastic will stay on the bottom.

Can’t see any advantage over the cylinder weight used for the Slip Slip rig. Will the line have less drag going through the free rig weight, maybe depending on the weight.

Tom

[RRocket]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

You are basically describing the Slip Shot rig using free rig sinker. Your soft plastic needs to float the hook it’s rigged with or the plastic will stay on the bottom.

Can’t see any advantage over the cylinder weight used for the Slip Slip rig. Will the line have less drag going through the free rig weight, maybe depending on the weight.

Tom

Ya, I was at first thinking the Free Shot rig too.

 

The Free Shot hook is the part that's "Free" as opposed to the weight.

 

 

[lynxcat]

Fished briefly today and caught three as described in original post. Biggest negative is my bobber wasn’t strong enough to stop the free rig weight on an aggressive cast. Bobber would slide down and basically defeat the purpose of the test. 
 

i absolutely think this accomplished the goal of forced separation between hook and weight.