GETTING STARTED FISHING GUPPY WEIGHTS
BY MARK ROMANACK
The beauty of the OR20 Pro Guppy Weights is they can be fished as in-line sinkers or Snap Weights. The unique design of the OR20 Guppy Weight functions perfectly as an in-line weight rigged a few feet ahead of a crawler harness, in-line spinner, crankbait or other lure.
IN-LINE RIGGING
In this set up the angler ties a snap to the end of his fishing line and attaches the snap to the top eye on the OR20 Guppy Weight. Next a 48 to 72 inch harness is attached to the tail of the OR20 Guppy Weight and the desired lure added at the terminal end. Hooked fish are reeled in and netted without ever giving the OR20 Guppy Weight a second thought. Resetting that line is just as simple. Different overall lead lengths and different sizes of the OR20 Guppy Weights are used to target different depths.
SNAP WEIGHT RIGGING
The same OR20 Guppy can also be rigged using an OR16 Pro Clip and a split ring so the weight can be placed anywhere on the line. In this set up, the lure is deployed the desired distance behind the boat, then the OR16 rigged with an OR20 Guppy Weight is added to the line. Simply pinch open the OR16 Pro Clip and place the line behind the plastic pin protruding through the center of the pinch pads. Once the line is behind the plastic pin and the clip closed, the Snap Weight is securely on the line. Running depth is controlled by the size of the attached Guppy Weight selected and by the overall lead length employed. When a fish is hooked, the angler reels in the Snap Weight and quickly removes it from the line before reeling in the fish to net. When resetting this rig, simply let the lure back out to the desired distance, clip the Snap Weight on the line and deploy additional leader to duplicate the rig that produced fish.
EMPLOYING IN-LINE BOARDS
Both in-line and Snap Weight versions of the Guppy Weights fish beautifully in combination with in-line boards such as the OR12 Side Planer. Boards help to spread out lines and cover more water. When using in-line boards, rigs that are running higher in the water column should be positioned as the outside board lines. Deeper running rigs should be fished as inside board lines. This set up allows for a fish hooked on an outside board line to be reeled in without having to clear the inside board line.
MAST SYSTEM BOARDS
In-line weights and Snap Weights can also be fished effectively using a planer board mast system. In this case, all of the lines fished should be rigged with the same size weight and the same overall lead lengths. Commonly anglers who prefer a planer board mast system will run a select size weight on one side of the board and a different size weight on the other side of the boat. This works to prevent tangles and helps to cover more water vertically and saturate the water column with lures.
SUMMING IT UP
One of the best ways to get started fishing in-line weights is to invest in the Off Shore Tackle OR20 Pro Weight System. This kit includes four OR16 Pro Clips, four split rings and an assortment of Guppy Weights in 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 ounce sizes. Everything an angler needs to get started is included in this kit. Both OR16 Pro Clips and OR20 Guppy Weights are sold separately, making it easy to add to the kit over time. In-line weights are simple to use, versatile and effective at catching a wide variety of fish. Embracing the in-line weight is one of the easiest ways to put more fish in the boat.
