BUBBLERIGS

BUBBLE RIGS (also called Straw rigs, McDonald's rig)

The bubble rig is essentially a 2-3' leader with a lure on one end and a water filled, clear plastic oval
teaser "bubble" on the line side.

It is considered a top water system and when retrieved quickly, the plastic bubble creates a trail of bubbles
in the water ahead of the lure as it is retrieved, giving the appearance of a fast swimming bait.

It is used primarily in this area for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish, with some King Mackerel being caught
on it too. Most people either use a Gotcha lure, a short piece of colored tubing, or a short piece of a
McDonald's plastic straw.

The plastic bubble itself consists of two parts, the oval shaped "bubble" with a hole in the top and bottom,
and a clear tapered plastic wedge that is inserted through these two holes. It is wedged into place to make
the bubble water tight. The center plastic wedge has a hole through its center lengthwise which your line is
run through.

To employ the bubble rig, you need a medium to heavy weight rod & reel with at least 20# monofilament or
braided line. You are going to be throwing a rig that weights several ounces. You can vary the amount of
water in the plastic bubble, increasing your rig weight and cast distance as water is added. Most people fill
it about 2/3 to 3/4 full.

You normally throw it as far as you can to your target area and start a fast, steady retrieve. If there are
Spanish or Bluefish in the area, you will know it.

You can buy bubble rigs premade for around $3.00 to $4.00. The Bass Pro Shop, Walmart, Half Hitch
Tackle, and the Okaloosa Pier all have their own version.

Or, you can purchase the plastic bubbles themselves at any of the above stores and make your own.

If you want to make your own, this is how i do it. This is not cut in stone, adjust it as you wish.

Generally speaking you want a rig that is around 3 to 4' long. Shorter down to 2' is ok, longer up to 5' is ok
too but you will start getting into control issues with the longer leaders since your weight is in the middle.
Longer leaders make casting a little more harder to control it all. And, they can be dangerous if you are
casting in a crowded area. Walk out on the pier one day when they are using them and you will see what I
mean. In fact, the pier used to have a maximum length for bubble rigs.

I use 40# fluorocarbon for my leader. 40# -60# monofilament can be used too. The fluorocarbon is a little
more stiffer and more resistant to a bite through. Remember, most of the fish you are after have teeth.
Also, sometimes I will rig a few bubble rigs with single strand wire for a little more protection.

To make your own, you will need:

About 50" to 60" of 40# fluorocarbon line. Once you tie the knots, etc, it will shorten down 6-10". I just take
the end of the line in my fingers, hold it, spread my arms while unwinding from the spool until my arms are
almost spread out and that is around 60".

A bubble. The bubble consist of two pieces, the oval shaped bubble and a round tapering wedge shaped
centerpiece that can be partially removed to allow you to fill the bubble with water. The water gives the rig
the weight to throw it a good distance. The center piece is hollow in the middle so you can run your leader
line through it.

You push on the pointed end of the center piece to push it out of the bubble, allowing you to fill the bubble
with water through the top hole. To trap the water inside, push on the wider end to wedge the center piece
back in the bubble..

A crimp, plastic bead and a swivel. A 60# to 80# swivel should be ok. If you use a double crimp, you don't
have to use the bead. Otherwise, you need to use the bead or the crimp will go into the bubble.

Your choice of lure
- 2 1/2" cut section from a McDonald's straw

-Or, a 2 1/2" cut section from some colored plastic tubing (Walmart has the long tubes of colored sunglass
holders you can use. Or a lure like a Gotcha or spoon.

- One # 2 or # 4 extra strong, treble hook

Tie the hook or lure to one end of the line using your knot of choice. I use an uni. Others are just as good
or better. Slip the straw over the other end of the line and down over the hook.

Put a crimp about 16" down from the other end of the leader. This will prevent the bubble from going down
on the hook when you cast it and retrieve it. Slide a plastic bead over the line next to the crimp.

Thread the line through the bubble centerpiece. The wider end of the centerpiece goes toward the hook
(bottom) and the smaller end is toward your main line (top). This allows the weight of the bubble to push
against the crimp during your retrieve to hold the center piece tight in the bubble to maintain a good seal.

Tie your swivel to the other end of the leader using your knot of choice again. You want to leave about 8"
to 10" line between the swivel and the crimp to allow room for you to open the bubble and fill it with water.

And you are done. I normally store mine in the quart size baggies. Using a sharpie, mark the baggie with
the date and line type/strength.

To fill the bubble, simply push the center piece down out of the bubble,

Put it in a pan of water or under a hose and fill to the appropriate amount,

Push the center piece back into the bubble, wedging it in place.

That's it! You now have a bubble rig ready to be tied to your mainline. Let's go fishing......

A few notes ....

Make your leaders a little longer to start with, then, when your straw gets torn up by the fish, or line nicked,
you can cut the leader at the hook, put a new straw or other lure on, and tie the hook back on. Once you
get down to about 24", its time to get a new leader.

If you don't have any crimps, you can tie on swivels instead or use the small freshwater lead clamp-on
sinkers.

Put some BBs in the bubble and you will get a rattle effect also.