Another commonly used rig is the bait spreader rig. It allows you to fish two or more baits at the same time on the same line. They're much more common in salt water and usually are used for bottom-fishing, but some kinds are made for trolling several baits at once.

The spreader rig can look like a wire coat hanger without the bottom piece, or like a vertical wire with two arms sticking off it at different levels. In either case, a leader is tied to the end of each arm and a hook tied to each leader. At the bottom of the vertical wire or in the center of the coat hanger type is a snap for attaching a sinker.

When the sinker and rig hit bottom, the baits hang out from it either right on the bottom or above it. This allows you to fish two baits at the same level or at different levels. You can also attach a float to hold the spreader rig just off the bottom so both baits suspend there. This arrangement is very good for floating bait when fishing from a pier or bridge.