Choosing a rig for a target fish can be difficult and we can help you find the best rig for what you are looking for. Here we will overview the most common types of rigs used in NJ.
Buy a rig or build a rig?
You can buy any type of rig that you desire, but you will find it difficult to find a rig at the exact lengths that you like or comfortable casting with. That is where building your own rig comes into place. You can make them any distance from the bottom you desire. Want a stronger leader? Then just make it instead of hunting around tackle shops and still end up with something not perfect.
Rig Types:
High Low Rigs:
These rigs have 2 hooks with one hook up high to keep the bait off the bottom and one hook down low for bottom feeding fish. This is the most universal rig. Thos covers all groumds but it will also catch A LOT of junk fish also like dogfish or skates.
These rigs have 2 hooks with one hook up high to keep the bait off the bottom and one hook down low for bottom feeding fish. This is the most universal rig. Thos covers all groumds but it will also catch A LOT of junk fish also like dogfish or skates.
Fish Finder Rigs:
This is a straight single hook rig. What makes it different is the sinker is on a slider. This lets the fish run with the bait without them being able to feel the sinker. This is great for picky fish and stripers.
This is a straight single hook rig. What makes it different is the sinker is on a slider. This lets the fish run with the bait without them being able to feel the sinker. This is great for picky fish and stripers.
3 way Rigs/drop rigs:
This rig is on a 3 way swivel with your line, sinker and rig is all on different eyes on the swivel. This helps prevent tangling and best used for heavy currents, rip tides or sea fishing.
This rig is on a 3 way swivel with your line, sinker and rig is all on different eyes on the swivel. This helps prevent tangling and best used for heavy currents, rip tides or sea fishing.
Fire Ball rig:
These rigs are designed for blue fish. The styrofoam ball (often red or yellow) is located just past the eye of the hook. It will give the blue fish something to chew on besides your line, keep the rig lifted a bit and attract aggressive fish.
These rigs are designed for blue fish. The styrofoam ball (often red or yellow) is located just past the eye of the hook. It will give the blue fish something to chew on besides your line, keep the rig lifted a bit and attract aggressive fish.
Basics of making rigs
Step 1: Knots
The first step you need to know before starting to craft rigs is the different fishing knot types. The video below will teach you each type of basic knot.
Step 2: Create the rig
The next step is the actual creation of a rig. Watch the video below to learn a basic rig. After you have a general idea on how to create a rig you can modify rigs to target species and place the hooks and sinker to put the bait on the bottom, off the bottom or both.
