There are no limits to the number of double-hook rigs available. The Capps & Coleman rig can be tied or you can get a pre-tied from BnM. There are double-hook rigs with a weight on bottom. There are double-jig rigs, rigs with feather hooks, and more. But where did they all come from?
The double-hook bottom bouncer had many purposes when it was developed through trial, error and need. The most popular early version was made with 25- or 30-pound test monofilament line, a 1 ounce bell sinker on bottom, up 18 inch from the sinker was a loop with 2/0 Aberdeen gold minnow hook, up 18 inches from the first loop was another loop and hook.
The heavy line aided in keeping loops stiff to hold hooks and minnows away from the main line. The other purpose of heavy line was to pull free when hung up without breaking everything off.
The sinker allowed the rig to be used as a depthfinder, structure finder, and fishing rig. It was developed before locators were available so guides and serious fishermen used the rig to bounce along bottom to find depth, drop-offs and cover. When found, they could leave the rig still and catch fish. The sinker also allow the rig to be bounce to help free the hooks when hung.
Today we have great electronics. We have also have better lines and very sensitive long poles. Rigs are lighter. But it’s good to know where our modern-day rigs started. -TH
