Ive refused to use these baits through the years, but am kinda thinking about playing with them.

Ive got a good idea on how I want to rig the stingers but was hoping to get some additional feedback. Anybody have any suggestions on how to properly place stingers on the 9" Osprey?

I am by no means an Osprey guy. Honestly, I've never caught a fish on one and I gave what I had to a friend 6 months ago but... here's a pic of some rigging on a Big Hot Momma (formerly the Eagle). Pretty similar. The only diff with the Osprey being that you'd need to pro rig it first with a tube before adding the hook setup. Where is CJ these days :) CJ at Bass World was the one who came up with that setup many years ago.

I'm using 70lb wire with crimps, owner hooks, and a saftey pin with the head cut off, then threaded on the wire to hold the wire against the body of the bait.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/5899-Img_3662.jpg

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/5900-Img_3663.jpg

Rob suggestion is how 95% of guys that use that bait. I saw Greg G's rig that he was using at clear lake that was actually a decent rigging in my opinion.

He ran his line through a "pro-rigged" Osprey and tied it to a 3-way swivel. He then used either wire or just split rings to attach two trebles and impaled them in each side of the bait. To me... it was too much hardward but the concept was good in my opinion. I have other baits that I use a similar rigging with and the fish typically get stuck pretty good.

If I was to rig an Osprey like that... I would run my line through the bait and tie on a split ring (or solid ring would be better). I would then crimp 2 pieces of wire to the ring and impale them in the sides of the bait.

Either way... maybe I need to wrestle the Ospreys out of my cats play area to try different riggings for you.

You mentioned a solid ring. That's something I've always wanted. Any idea where someone could get solid rings, say 80-100lb test strength?

There's a lot of manufacturers that make them. If you google "Solid rings for fishing" they will all pop up. The ones that I use are older Sevenstrand rings that I bought in bulk a long time ago for tuna fishing but Owner makes them too.

Here's a like to Melton's Tackle. They are a premium big game store so you can probably find them cheaper.

http://www.meltontackle.com/catalog/product.asp?product_id=13506

mmmm, thanks for the link. Those look very useful.

Mark, the rigging you described is more or less how I was gonna rig them. However, I dont like the three way, its just a little too bulky and gaudy for me. But, those who use it have told me they like that and that it adds attraction. That may be the case in many places, but in clear waters where there exists a more pure bass/trout interaction I think I want as little hardwarde as possible. Ive also seen many use red hooks.

Ill look into the ring thing.

I use the Osprey alot and am thinking of something different because the bait doesn't last very long. 1 fish and the thing won't swim right. I watched a 10lb+ fish follow my bait the other day and it frustrated me to the point I'm thinking of other baits....Here's a five pounder that didn't just follow it pounced......BassMan

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/5909-03-23-07.JPG

Nice!!