Porgy Rigs Plain Jane or Bells and Whistles?

So I have always tied my porgy rigs as a standard hi lo with 2 dropper loops on a 2-3’ leader with a loop for a bank sinker at the bottom. Nothing on the dropper loop but the hook. In my drawer of “stuff” in the garage I found a bag of red beads and another of green. I decided to get a little frisky and add some beads on some rigs and see if it makes a difference. Not sure how to measure a difference since I’ve never had a problem catching all we wanted when the fish are there ?‍♂️?‍♂️??

Keep it simple!

Keep it simple!

Thats what I usually do!!!

Its porgies, I've always used a plain hook on dropper.

Thats what I usually do!!!

I am not a fan of tying rigs, so not a fan of spending time doing it. Super simple.

I would say bead because porgy are aggressive feeders and sometimes a bead looks more appetizing than a bare hook and they will hit the bead after stripping the bait.

I would say bead because porgy are aggressive feeders and sometimes a bead looks more appetizing than a bare hook and they will hit the bead after stripping the bait.

That makes sense?

I am not a fan of tying rigs, so not a fan of spending time doing it. Super simple.

Im a but surprised to hear that from you ?‍♂️
Half the fun for me is spending that time in the garage getting ready and then the satisfaction of catching something on a rig I made ???

Thats what I usually do!!!

what hooks and size are you using?

Im a but surprised to hear that from you ?‍♂️
Half the fun for me is spending that time in the garage getting ready and then the satisfaction of catching something on a rig I made ???

Don't get me wrong. My time is rather limited. I do what it take to get to the water and fish..

Don't get me wrong. My time is rather limited. I do what it take to get to the water and fish..

Of course?
I was in no way judging or meant any offense
I see you as someone who is on top of their game and hands on?
Its a compliment ?

what hooks and size are you using?

2/0 baitholders

Do you fish with friends? Then have on plain jane. The other with all the beads and flashy hardware.

See who out fishes who.

I do this with fluke too. One gets pink, one gets white and one gets green.

Single gold hook 1 red bead and Gulp sand worm.

As you know I run a lot of Porgy trips throughout the year. In most cases, I also agree that the simpler the better when it comes to rigs. However, despite the fact that there are few days when the Porgies play hard to get there are exceptions to every rule

So, to play it safe I would have a mix of both leaders with and without beads. I have seen a few days when the beaded rigs do make a difference on both size and numbers.

For hooks, I also like the baitholder style to keep the soft baits on the hook a little longer. I too like a size #1, either beak or sproat, nothing smaller, I have seen the large spawners we catch in the Peconics break smaller hooks. Nothing wrong with going with a 2/0 size if you want to cull out the smaller stuff.

Also, cannot deny that Sandworms can be dynamite baits, although pretty expensive unless you dig your own. I never have a problem filling the box with the old reliable clam baits and occasionally small squid pieces. But clams are far more consistent.

See you out there soon, Mitch.

As you know I run a lot of Porgy trips throughout the year. In most cases, I also agree that the simpler the better when it comes to rigs. However, despite the fact that there are few days when the Porgies play hard to get there are exceptions to every rule

So, to play it safe I would have a mix of both leaders with and without beads. I have seen a few days when the beaded rigs do make a difference on both size and numbers.

For hooks, I also like the baitholder style to keep the soft baits on the hook a little longer. I too like a size #1, either beak or sproat, nothing smaller, I have seen the large spawners we catch in the Peconics break smaller hooks. Nothing wrong with going with a 2/0 size if you want to cull out the smaller stuff.

Also, cannot deny that Sandworms can be dynamite baits, although pretty expensive unless you dig your own. I never have a problem filling the box with the old reliable clam baits and occasionally small squid pieces. But clams are far more consistent.

See you out there soon, Mitch.

Thanks for the input Mike!!
So what I ended up doing was an overall mixture. 😎
some plain jane, some with green beads above the hooks and some with red beads.
I also have a bunch of rigs leftover with 1/0's as well so I think I'm good to go.
Unlike fishing for sea bass on structure, we very rarely get hung up or lose rigs fishing for porgies in Peconic.
More often than not a smaller hooks breaks while unhooking a fish
I've caught many porgies big and small on 4/0 hooks targeting sea bass on the Shinny Reef 👍
Claim is the preferred bait for me.

Do you guys prefer a hook directly to a dropper loop or a snelled hook to a dropper?

I never fish a dropper for anything.

Always snelled hooks for me. Leader length can vary between 4" -12" depending on conditions.......

Agree with captmike 100 percent on having both on hand as aggressive as porgys can be feeding. There are those days they can be finicky so having beads and not having can be a game changer.

Do you guys prefer a hook directly to a dropper loop or a snelled hook to a dropper?

Droppers are quick and easy for me for porgies and not worth the time and energy to snell multiple rigs for the season