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SALTWATER RIG LIBRARY
Umbrella Rig (Saltwater)
A wire harness with several arms, each pulling a soft-plastic shad or tube on a short leader. Trolled together, they look like a small school of baitfish.
Best forKingfish, cero, little tunny, jacks
WhereReef edges, bait schools
MethodTrolling
DifficultyModerate
Rig diagram (component order)
Step-by-step how-to
Step-by-step build instructions
- 1
Start with an umbrella frame: a lead head with wire arms.
- 2
Tie the main line to the head through a heavy swivel.
- 3
Add a 6–12 in leader and a shad or tube to each arm.
- 4
Add a longer center leader with the hooked trailer.
- 5
Check the rules for how many hooks are allowed.
- 6
Troll 4–7 knots along reef edges and bait schools.
BigJoe Tips
- Many areas limit hooks per line; use hookless teasers if needed.
- Match shad size and color to the local bait.
- A planer or downrigger takes it deeper.
- Turn wide so the arms don’t tangle.
Variations
- Tube lures instead of shads for kingfish.
- A wire bite leader on the trailer for toothy fish.
- Smaller frames for cero and little tunny.
- Hookless frame as a teaser ahead of a single lure.
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