Zakk Royce’s terminal rigging includes more bells, whistles, and innovations than one might shake a Big Cat Fever rod at. Each component is vital to the whole, and when combined, the end result is a system that rarely hangs up or tangles.
Starting at the main-line connection, Royce avoids a standard 3-way swivel, comprised of a ring and three barrel swivels. Rather, he uses a 3-way swivel made when the eyelet of one barrel swivel fastens between the eyelet and barrel of another, making a more-streamlined attachment point for his homemade slinky weight.
Royce makes these weights by taking a large-width piece of paracord, 6 or more inches long, depending on the weight desired, and he uses a small funnel and straw to fill it with No. 6 lead shot after tying one end in a knot. When finished, he folds the end to be tied to his line and wraps with a piece of electrical tape. He uses a foot or more of 15-pound monofilament line, which can be more easily broken and sacrificed if snagged to save the rest of the rig.
From the other end of the swivel, Royce ties about a foot of 60-pound mono and ties that to a bead swivel, which easily turns with the twisting of his baits to eliminate kinking.
He ties on another piece of 60-pound mono, 18 to 24 inches long, passing it through the 3-inch cigar float and pegging it in the middle. Between the cork and the float, he passes the line through a Whisker Seeker Versa Rattle and a bead before tying on his hook. With two side-by-side rattle chambers, this bonus piece adds vibration and sound to trolled baits.
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