Plastic Standoff

I'm a gadget guy. I don't usually follow the KISS principle. Many of my nights are spent in my shop tinkering. Almost 60 years ago, my Dad picked up these plastic standoffs from the original J & H Tackle when Harry was in Deer Park. No one, including Harry, knew exactly how they worked. After a bit of playing around, we figured them out and my Dad bought a bag of 100. They became our go-to standoff until we ran out. Harry never restocked them because they never sold. Fortunately, he had another 50. We absolutely loved them, especially for cod fishing and tilefishing. We rarely fished blackfish and seabass in those days. We never lost many until we began fishing sticky bottoms. Once gone, we could never replace them. A few years ago, I found one while moving. It was ratholed away until I could have time to figure out how to make them. After a Google search, I found a plastic supplier that had 3/8" plastic tubing with a 1/8" hole. I bought five 6' long plastic rods. Each standoff is 1 1/8" long and has a slot on each end.



I know most of you probably use a dropper loop and for years when I didn't have these, I did too. I also know, a lot of you will poo-poo this standoff as not necessary but if you had a chance to fish it, I think you would like it. Although it is another piece of hardware on your rig, it really works as a standoff, and leader tangles are very rare. Also, a tangle with another fisherman at the business end or a net tangle whereby braid might be included in the tangle is easily cleared by simple removal of the standoff which leaves a bare, no-knot leader to clear the tangle. If the sinker is included, cut the sinker loop free and slide the standoff up a few inches. Another advantage, the main leader can be a heavy leader. Mine is 50lb and my braid is 50lb.. My hook leader is usually 30lb. You can change hook leaders easily unlike the dropper loop. Another nice thing about these standoffs is the ability to move the hook up and down or to easily add another hook for a tandem rig without changing out your main leader, unlike a dropper loop. I'm not saying it's better than a dropper loop (although for me, with these, I never use a dropper loop), it's just another way to tie a rig.











The picture below is the rig hanging and how I usually fish it unless the bottom is sticky. (yes, I don't need to crimp a loop but I like using them) In sticky areas, I use a small loop made with 20lb. test for the sinker loop connected to the crimped sinker loop. When the sinker gets stuck, it snaps free and only the sinker needs replacement. If it's really sticky, I also use a hook with a lighter leader as another weak link. When the hook snags, the leader snaps, and I still have the entire rig except for the hook. I rarely lose my entire rig.

.

The rig below is what I use on sticky bottoms. The sinker loop is 20lb. test.