A handmade tandem fishing rig can give you the ultimate customized fishing experience.
Tandem hooks are often a popular choice when fishing because they let you cover a larger amount of territory, so you can catch more fish in the same amount of time. The actual make-up of a tandem hook will depend largely on your own needs and preferences, such as what type of fish you'll be catching and your choice of materials for the bait. When you make your own tandem fishing rig, you can customize almost every aspect of it, from the size of the hooks to the amount of space between them.
Instructions
1. Insert one of your two hooks into the vise and tighten the vise. Using a match or lighter, light the end of your fishing line to melt the edges so a "ball" appears. Thread it through the hook, tying it securely just before the hook's curve.
2. Tie the fishing line to your hook using fly-tying thread. Start near the "ball" you created on the line's edge, and wrap it firmly around the hook up to its eye. It must be flush against the hook, or else you risk making it too loose. Secure the fly-tying thread with head cement to ensure the hook doesn't slip off the rig. Wrap the thread a couple more times for extra security, and then slip the end back under. Pull it taut.
3. Tie your ribbing material to the hook. Ribbing material is a strong, fibrous material sold at most craft stores and specialty sport shops. Many types of ribbing material can serve this purpose, as long as it's sturdy. There's no single "best" ribbing to use, although metal tinsel is recommended. Following the same direction as the thread you wrapped, wrap the ribbing evenly around the hook.
4. Wrap the body material around the hook, directly over the ribbing material. Body material is a general, catch-all term for thread or cord used in making fly fishing lures. This can range from brightly-colored nylon thread to more expensive latex or other, more flesh-like material. Again, there's no single body material that's best for the project, although nylon is a good choice to make sure the hook stays tight against the line.
Start at the "ball" on the hook and wrap up to the eye, then back down to the ball. When you've completed the step the material should be wrapped tightly and evenly across the hook's span. Tie it off, and remove any excess material.
5. Secure the wrappings with head cement, then remove the hook from the vice. The tandem hook rig is now half-complete. Determine how far apart you want the two hooks to be, and cut the corresponding length of the wire.
6. Repeat the process with the second hook. The process will be almost exactly the same as it was with the first hook, but when you secure the second hook with the fishing line you'll run it up towards the hook's eye rather than securing it directly at the curve, so the ball faces towards the hook instead of away from it.
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