Just curious on what your go to rig for river bank fishing. I currently use a dropper loop rig (used it a lot when I was pier fishing). It’s also very easy and quick to set up. All the others seem to need a swivel or a stopper for the weight. But I’m wanting to try other rigs and have googled them. Just wanting to know what works for you guys. Thanks!
Mainline is 65lb braid, 80lb mono abrasion leader, 8oz bank or no roll sinker, 400lb barrel swivel, 12in 50lb mono bite leader, 7/0 Diachii circle or 15/0 Mustad 39960D depending.
Carolina rig mostly and at times a bobber rig. I fish lakes, ponds and mid sized rivers in my area. Channels and Flatheads, no Blues available in my area.
In small rivers...i am going to go with a 3 way dropper loop....sinker line and bait line just about equal.
I catch a lot of fish this way.
Simple to rig up and fast to replace.
I use more complicated rigs here and there but for the most part....a simple hook and sinker on a dropper loop is the best way to go if you are looking for dinner.
I tried to find a sketch but couldn't.
My simple rig is....
a sinker tied to the end of my line....I make a surgeon's loop that is about equal to the length of my sinker leader.....I put a hook on the loop ...pass the loop through...pass the hook through the loop. Simple rig
i have no idea what that rig is called but...it works well.
Wrap some chicken liver onto the hook with magic thread and we'll be in channel cats within an hour...or we will be moving.
In small rivers...i am going to go with a 3 way dropper loop....sinker line and bait line just about equal.
I catch a lot of fish this way.
Simple to rig up and fast to replace.
I use more complicated rigs here and there but for the most part....a simple hook and sinker on a dropper loop is the best way to go if you are looking for dinner.
I tried to find a sketch but couldn't.
My simple rig is....
a sinker tied to the end of my line....I make a surgeon's loop that is about equal to the length of my sinker leader.....I put a hook on the loop ...pass the loop through...pass the hook through the loop. Simple rig
i have no idea what that rig is called but...it works well.
Wrap some chicken liver onto the hook with magic thread and we'll be in channel cats within an hour...or we will be moving.
I just started using the three way rig and have a very unorthodox approach. Basically I run my main line through the eye of a swivel and tie it to another swivel. Then I tie my hook and leader to the swivel tied to my mainline. I use some cheap light mono off an old bait reel and tie my sinker to the swivel that my mainline passes through. This allows my sinker to move up and down my mainline and if I get snagged I'm getting something back. I used to use the Carolina rig and still do from time to time but this new rig has been working great!
I use regular sinker sliders almost all the time. I can put the sinker right on the snap up close to the mainline or I can tie a length of line to the snap and tie the sinker to that.
same idea.
i still have a few brass 3 ways in the box for snaggy or new/unknown waters. No sense in wasting perfectly good sinker sliders in water you have never fished before.
I always start with a carolina rig, 5/0 hook, 3-4 oz slip sinker. I usually fish medium sized rivers. 50 lb. braid, 50 lb mono leader about 18 inches long.
I use (3 way rig) or (dropper loop rig) and sometimes use a bobber with the dropper loop rig just to keep the main line out of the snags and let it circle around in eddies.
When no snags or use for finicky fish (carolina rig) (big river three way slip rig) (Zero Rig)
Do any of you guys use floaters on your rigs something to keep dead bait up off bottom a little bit. I tried using a small Styrofoam bobber I cut it in small pieces and ran my line through it not sure how well it floated, is there other tricks I would love to hear them thanks.
What's the best ounce weight to use to keep the line down, I fish in Allegheny river north of Pittsburgh current isn't to crazy unless it rains hard a day or two, I use 1/2 -3/4ounce bank or barrel weights will these be heavy enough
Depends on the weight of your bait as well as your sinker. With a channel rig I use a 2" peg float, and for bigger blues, I go to a 3". I usually fish reservoirs so I get by with 2 to 4oz sinkers.
What's the best ounce weight to use to keep the line down, I fish in Allegheny river north of Pittsburgh current isn't to crazy unless it rains hard a day or two, I use 1/2 -3/4ounce bank or barrel weights will these be heavy enough
Nothing to agressive, 6'5 medium to light action rods 12-20 pound test the twenty is on my heavy duty rod I call it, its a cabellas big cat pole, I do have some 2 ounce no roll weights I can try one of them out
I guess while I'm at it I'll ask you members this also what's the best way to set up basically a Carolina rig, using a egg or what ever style weight do you let the line pull through weight or do you put a stop behind weight so bait only goes out so far, I do it both ways I put a stop about two feet from barrel swivel so bait don't go out to far is this a good way to do it.
I use 40lb braid for a mainline and if you can find some clear water, you can experiment with different Santee set-ups to see which float/sinker/bait combo works best.
When I fish the flats I use fixed weights so the float doesn't pull my bait to the top. If we're in 30-40' of water, I use 4oz. no-rolls with no stop on the leader.
Lol nice pose thanks for advice I'm never fishing that deep, the most I'll probably see 15' I'm usually in 8' of water this part of river never got dredged out much. Will deeper water house bigger cats? Mine are like babies compared to that one your posing with. I'm not complaining I'm happy with my catches but I just want that one that makes your line stretch lol.
Depends on the climate mostly; very warm, bright daylight or very cold nights, fish like deeper holes, but they still have to come out after their dinner so they can be found where the bait-fish hang out. Huge flatheads & blues are often caught in 3' of water.
Trying to cast a Santee rig can cause issues. Was trying to heave it and the rod loaded up, at the release the rod had unloaded and when the line caught up and jerked the baitcaster, instant backlash and broken line.
No problem heaving 3 ways on the beach for sharks but haven't wrapped my technique around it with a Santee.
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