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I always find it interesting how the same species of fish are caught using different methods in different parts of the country. *I had two internet conversations concerning Mojo Rigs vs. Wireline Rigs. *The gentleman for the CBBT area said, “We like to keep it simple. *Wireline is too much of a pain.”* Another respected fellow THT member from Martha’s Vineyard had the exact opposite reaction. *“I prefer to keep it simple.* That is why I use Wireline….”* I would like to open a thread concerning the pros and cons of both methods. *For the record, I have never used a Mojo rig, but it intrigues me. *I think it might be easier for my kids than Wire….
Wireline – A popular way up here is two or three 100 foot shots of wire spaced by 20 to 50 feet of Dacron backing….connected to a 2 to 6 ounce buck tail with pork rind or tube with worm.
Wireline Pros:* The number of shots of wire you let out is pretty easy to count…..figure about 15 feet of depth per shot at 2 knots…. *With wire you can right reel up to the leaderso the angler controls the fish right up to the boat. *It is pretty easy to rig. *One lure, one leader; one swivel or knot….
Wireline Cons:* You have to be careful with the Albright knot connecting the wire to the Dacron. *If that doesn’t pass through he guides cleanly, you get a clock spring mess on the reel….which is either a PITA to untangle or expensive to replace. *Another con is you can’t or shouldn’t jig on the wire. *The multiple bending of the wire causes it to break.
Mojo:* Some one can give me an education on the best way to rig this. *But the way that was listed in this month’s Saltwater Sportsman (sorry I know it isn’t the most popular mag with THT…) is 60 pound braid to the three way. **4 feet of 80 pound mono to the Mojo (a 32 ounce buck tail), then 20 feet of 80 pound mono to whichever lure you wish…
Mojo Pros:* No jigging needed as opposed to the buck tail jig used up my way.* Two hooks in the water instead of one.** No chance of the clock spring effect since no knots pass through the guides. *Instead of being limited to 15 foot depth breaks (as with the wireline shots) you have infinite depth choices based on how much line you let out….For me one last little benefit is that with 60 braid, I would have one rig that was capable of both stripers and SBFT….instead of wireline which would only be used for stripers or blues.
Mojo Cons:* You have to hand line in the last 20 feet since the 3 way will hit the top of the rod.* Or the angler has to walk to the bow of my 23 foot boat…. *You have the Mojo hanging below the main line which can lead to it getting caught in a rocky bottom….I could foresee a way that the two line coming off the three way would get tangled.* A 30 ounce Mojo seems heavy as hell to me…
OK guys compare, contrast defend or attack each method.* They both seem to work locally. *Why is your way better?
OK I’ll start here. First count me as one of the CBBT crowd, that is where I learned when the season re-opened back around ’90 or so. Also now we use wire (braided stainless) and braid (power pro) interchangeably. Additionally, the dacron backing for the wire shouldn’t make it off the spool.
The setup in SWS is how we rig the lines except the line weight off the 3-way isn’t that heavy, generally 30 to 50 lb. Open water trolling and around the bridge (not the tubes). The wire or braid is simply a way to get the baits deeper, wire is heavier and braid is thinner. With the mojo you have 2 baits off of one rod at approximately where you want them. Yes you have to hand line up the fish but that really isn’t that difficult (to me) I have done this by myself many a time. The lead will bounce off the boat sometimes (but I like to hear my brother complain!). It is easier with someone else but not impossible by yourself.
The weight of the mojos really isn’t an issue, particularly if you have anything bigger than a 10 lb fish, what is another 2 to 4 lbs. Another thing about the lighter bucktail (or rubber shad) trailer is that the current has a greater effect on it and makes it look more natural (we believe). It is just fluttering around back there. I have hooked more on the trailer than the mojo itself. That is one reason for not using 80 lb leader, more action. Rarely is there a tangle off the 3-way.
One thing I want to do that I haven’t tried yet is a downrigger. I expect that would put the baits exactly were I want them.
That's what I used to think too. When I first moved to VA beach and saw what they were trolling, I couldn't believe it. Soon enough I had my penn 320 rigged with wire and with 1 32 ounce chartreuse mojo with a 3 way swivel and a Chesapeake lure trailing behind. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a slob of a striper hitting that mojo so hard my rod tip would almost touch the gunwale..I always had a concern about wire going into the prop (same issue as power pro). If properly maintained, the wire last longer. But one good kink and you have to cut it...As far as I'm concerned both wire and PP are about the same.
I've used wire up north with some success and I like that method. Fish seem to key in on the jigging of the parachute and I'm SURE it would work here when we are on big schools of fish working menhaden, trout, croaker, herring, etc...BUT
The difference for us is we fish a 4-5 rod spread almost ALWAYS unless the bite is red hot then you are lucky to get 2 rods out at a time. The wire is used to reduce stretch and the mojo is used to keep the baits tight to the bottom and close to the boat so you can then stagger mid-depth baits further back in the spread. I run 4 tandem rigs...two with heavy mojos (32 to 44oz) and a trailer bait off a three-way off the stern then two lighter mojos (8-12oz) and a trailer bait off a three-way from my outriggers. I'll also run a 5th bait down the middle either short of the riggers or much farther back to keep it out of the way. Oh, and up north, monel is preferred, down here braided wire is what the majority use.
You'd be surprised at those 30-32" fish that will gulp down a huge mojo with a big shad body...even with big bunker sticking out of their mouth. My biggest fish come on the big mojos but spoons and other baits work well too...
I tried a mojo rig once last year around the Vineyard without any luck. It's entirely possible I didn't rig it correctly. I haven't given up on it though. I plan to try it again this year with some different jigs/mojos. Maybe a bunker spoon and a very heavy parachute jig. I will say that it's a PITA to handle because of a 20 ft leader and 2 lines coming off the 3 way swivel.
*I tend to agree with Glenn to different methods for different applications……..I use both methods or at least a variation of the Mojo. We use a three way rig with up to 24 oz with a 2-4oz buck tail attached for the deep, fast waters of the Race, this would be drift fishing at about 1.5 - 3 knots. For shallow water say up 40’ we will use wire with the typical buck tail pork rind rig. Having used wire my entire life I find it very easy to use and a light weight way to land big fish.*The three way with a buck tail is more difficult to use because of the weight and the depths that are being fished but still produces big fish.
IMHO, Both have their advantages/ disadvantages*depending on the location being fished.*
The Rebels vs the Yanks in Striperland 
