Fishing Rig Basics

Each type of rig has a different purpose, and some rigs may have several names. Other rigs work well for specific species and are referred to as bass rigs, flounder rigs or catfish rigs. You can also learn how to set up fishing rigs that can be used for multiple species. To get started, grab your rod and reel, some extra line and a variety of hooks, sinkers, and swivels. If you’re not familiar with your options in this department, check out our terminal tackle page for more details.



A two-hook bottom rig also know as spreader rigs is probably the most versatile of all fishing rigs. Two-hook bottom rigs can be used as flounder rigs or really to catch everything from panfish to giant grouper. This rig is commonly pre-made and sold at tackle shops, but you can tie your own. If you choose to purchase, you will notice that the rigs made with spreader bars instead of fishing line, this can help prevent your hooks from getting tangled. Follow these steps to make a two-hook bottom rig for smaller fish:

For bottom fishing, anglers should try the sliding sinker bottom rig also known as the Carolina rig or Fishdinder rig. It is a popular, versatile rig and is an effective way to fish bait off the bottom, both from shore and while drifting in a boat. These fishing rigs can be used as catfish rigs, flounder rigs, trout rigs or for fishing for redfish or striped bass.



Fishing Rigs Fishing rigs are the combination of hooks, sinkers, snaps and swivels that you add to the end of your fishing line. You can also add a bobber or cork, or in some cases, a second hook. Learn more the different types of rigs.



First things first, there is more to creating fishing rigs than knowing how to put a sinker on a fishing line. But just because you can tie a lot of different things to a line, doesn't mean that making a fishing rig should be complicated. Most standard rigs are designed rather simply and are used for specific fishing techniques.

Another rig that works for bottom fishing is the 3-way rig (it can also be used when fishing from shore in current). These rigs are typically considered catfish rigs and is frequently used in surf fishing as well. They are designed to keep your bait off the bottom by using a 3-way swivel. The idea is that when the three-way fishing rig is dropped, drifted or trolled, the lure or bait on the longer piece of leader hovers just over the bottom. Follow these steps to make a 3-way rig:

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Release Rigs—Release rigs aren't terminal rigs, but a way to deploy terminal rigs based on the limbliner's approach. Master catman Ed Davis has used this system to catch the North Carolina state record flathead and blue cat, and several line-class world records. Davis uses multiple rods to cover several areas and experiment with different baits. At least one line is a brush hook—a release clip tied to a branch hanging over the water. The line is attached to the clip so the bait swims freely (livebait) or drifts (cutbait) in the upper half of the water column. Davis usually uses a slipfloat rig, but a three-way or paternoster rig may be more effective for presenting livebaits. Tie a bell on the limb to signal strikes after dark. When a cat takes the bait, the bell rings and the line pulls free from the clip.

When the most-effective technique for catching walleyes has your name in it, you’ve earned the right to be called “Legendary.” Lindy Legendary Tackle created the Lindy Rig in the late 1960s and revolutionized the walleye fishing market. The one-and-only Lindy Rig is still one of the best rigs for walleyes, plus knowledgeable fishermen adapt the rigs with Lindy components to fit different situations and various species. Lindy provides a full selection of products to make your next fishing trip legendary.

Three-Way Swivel Rig This is a good rig to use with weights heavier than 16 ounces and for fishing over heavy structure. The main line is tied to one eye of the swivel and a long leader is tied to a second eye. The weight, usually a bank sinker, is connected to the third eye of the swivel via several inches of lighter line. In my case it's 20-pound test. This rig boasts many of the same advantages as the in-line version when using a long leader, plus the heavy sinker won't chafe the fishing line. Furthermore, should the rig snag on the bottom, it can usually be freed by locking down the drag and winding tight until the lighter line holding the sinker parts. Again, when targeting snappers, such as muttons and reds, go with 50-pound fluorocarbon. For big grouper or amberjack, go with a minimum of 80-pound fluorocarbon, and as heavy as 100-pound test (for goliath grouper, use 180- to 220-pound test). Generally, groupers aren't as leader-shy as snappers, plus they're more likely to dive directly into structure and part the leader. Heavier is definitely better with grouper! Depending on your target species, the three-way swivel should be a minimum of 130-pound test. Knocker Rig This is a popular rig for smaller snappers such as gray, red and yellowtail. The knocker rig is a good choice when fishing directly on top of reefs and close to wrecks, where the odds are high of a fish diving into the structure. With this rig, the fishing line is tied to a barrel swivel. From there, a leader measuring less than ten feet (five feet is most common) is tied to the swivel's opposite eye. Next, an egg sinker is added to the leader, followed by the hook. When the rig is cast out, the egg sinker will slide toward the swivel, putting a little distance between it and the hook. However, the short leader provides hardly any slack for a fish to dive back into the structure before or at the moment the hook is set. This is a rig that requires quick reaction on the part of the angler. I usually fish knocker rigs on a 20-pound spinning outfit for mangrove (gray) snapper. I double my main line with a Bimini twist, then tie the double line to a No. 6, 80-pound-test SPRO Power Swivel. Then I tie on six feet of 40- or 50-pound fluorocarbon and a 5/0 to 8/0 circle hook, based on the bait I'm using and size of the fish. In-Line Snapper Rig This rig features a leader up to 25 feet long, although 15 feet is more common. It is an ideal rig to use when fish, primarily snapper, are reluctant to strike. It's also productive when fishing the bottom well upcurrent of a wreck or reef. The long leader allows a live bait to swim relatively unrestricted, or a dead one to float more naturally in the current. As the in-line egg sinker rests on bottom, the bait flutters enticingly above it some 15 to 25 feet back. Should a suspicious fish peck at the bait, the play in the long leader usually prevents it from detecting any resistance. This rig works with egg sinkers up to 16 ounces. For snapper, I use 50-pound fluorocarbon and a 8/0 super-strong hook.
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