Hi-Lo Rig (Spreader)
The hi-lo hangs two hooks on stand-off droppers above a bottom sinker - fishing two baits at two heights at once; the party-boat and pier bottom-fishing standard everywhere.
Why fish one bait when the rig can hold two? The hi-lo (spreader, chicken rig, double-drop - every port renames it) stacks a pair of short dropper hooks above a bottom sinker, covering fish feeding ON bottom and those hovering just over it in the same drop. Sea bass, porgies, flounder, perch: the deckhand ties you one of these for a reason.
What it is & why it works
Sinker at the very bottom, two droppers (loops or three-way swivels) at ~15 and ~45 cm above, baited with strips, clam or worms. Vertical coverage plus double the scent and chances.
When to use it
Party boats, piers, jetties and any vertical-ish bottom fishing for the grab-bag species; also surf whiting/spot with small hooks. The 'what's down there today' survey rig.
How to set it up
Simplest: two dropper-loop knots in the leader 30 cm apart, hooks looped on, sinker (bank/pyramid) at the end via loop or clip. Pre-tied versions are fine; strong tackle for reef dwellers.
Fishing it
Drop to bottom, wind two cranks up, hold near-vertical; lift-drop occasionally for attention. Taps = small mouths - lift steadily rather than striking wildly; doubles happen constantly.
Variations & sizing
Bead-and-float versions lift baits over crabs; wire droppers for toothy bottoms; big-hook single-high versions become grouper 'chicken rigs'.
Ready-tied versions and what to buy
Each product is described from its maker's product page, checked on 26 October 2026; we have not tested them, and there are no prices here: the Amazon link searches for the exact product, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.
- Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Sea Bass Hi-Lo Rig: a 32-inch (81 cm) monofilament leader with two dropper loop knots to two gold baitholder hooks and two red beads; tie the crane swivel to your main line and add a weight to the bottom loop. Hook sizes 1/0 to 4/0. Maker's page · See on Amazon
- Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Porgy Hi-Lo Baitholder Hook Rig: wire spreader arms pre-rigged with two snelled baitholder hooks, for surf and pier; hook sizes 1, 2 and 4. Maker's page · See on Amazon
To tie your own instead, the two dropper loops described above need only leader line, two hooks and a bank or pyramid sinker.
What makes the rig fail
Droppers so long they tangle the main leader (short and stiff wins), slack in the drop (missed taps + snags), and re-baiting only one hook out of laziness - the empty one catches the crab.
Rig-building bits
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