RIGS

Which bottom rig should I tie on?

Q: Which bottom rig should I tie on?

Calm and clear (Under 2 ft, clean water): High-low, 2 oz, 2/0 circle hooks. Normal (2-3 ft): Fish finder, 3-4 oz, 3/0 circle. Moderate sweep (3-5 ft): Fish finder, 5 oz, 50 lb shock leader. Heavy sweep (5-6 ft): Single-drop fish finder, 6 oz, short leader. Night and big drum (Fall run, dark water): Fish finder, 6-8 oz, 8/0 circle, mullet chunk. The rig decides whether the fish feels the weight. Pick it for the water, not for habit.

The rig decides whether the fish feels the weight. Pick it for the water, not for habit.

What to use today

The surf zone where a bottom rig has to hold

Right now

Reading the buoys and the tide station for bottom rigs…

Water to rig

This table is the guide. It does not change with the weather, which makes it the part worth printing and keeping in the truck.

Water to rig
Water	When	Rig that fits
Calm and clear	Under 2 ft, clean water	High-low, 2 oz, 2/0 circle hooksUnder 2 ft, clean waterSmall baits, small hooks, more fish on the card.
Normal	2-3 ft	Fish finder, 3-4 oz, 3/0 circle2-3 ftThe OBX default. One hook, one weight, fewer tangles.
Moderate sweep	3-5 ft	Fish finder, 5 oz, 50 lb shock leader3-5 ftShorten the hook leader. Long leaders wrap in running water.
Heavy sweep	5-6 ft	Single-drop fish finder, 6 oz, short leader5-6 ftFish close in behind the bar where the current eases.
Night and big drum	Fall run, dark water	Fish finder, 6-8 oz, 8/0 circle, mullet chunkFall run, dark waterOne rod, one bait, a sand spike, and patience.

The rigs that earn their place

The rigs that earn their place
Rig	What it does	Where to use it
Fish finder	A sliding sinker above a swivel lets a fish take line without feeling the weight.The surf default for drum, bluefish, and whiting, in any water you can hold bottom.	The surf default for drum, bluefish, and whiting, in any water you can hold bottom.
High-low	Two hooks above the sinker, for small baits and a quick bite.Calm to normal surf, whiting and spot, when quantity is the goal.	Calm to normal surf, whiting and spot, when quantity is the goal.
Pompano rig	Floats lift the hook off the bottom and beads add colour.Clean sand and light current, small baits, pompano and sea mullet.	Clean sand and light current, small baits, pompano and sea mullet.
Knocker rig	Sinker rides right on the hook leader, fishing straight down.Piers and boats over structure, not the open beach.	Piers and boats over structure, not the open beach.
Popping cork	Holds a live bait up in the water column and calls fish with the pop.Inlets and the sound for speckled trout and puppy drum.	Inlets and the sound for speckled trout and puppy drum.
Top and bottom	One hook up, one on the bottom, covering two depths.Inlets and piers where you do not know which depth the fish are using.	Inlets and piers where you do not know which depth the fish are using.

Tie it right

Circle hooks work in the corner of the jaw. Do not swing on the bite, just come tight and reel.
Use a 50-80 lb shock leader when you cast 5 oz or more. That is the line your hands and the fish's run go through.
Shorten the hook leader as the current builds. A long leader wraps the main line, and a wrapped leader catches nothing.
Rig it the same way twice. Consistency is how you learn what the water wanted.

Rig to bait

Rig to bait
Rig	Weight	Hook	Best bait
Fish finder	3-6 oz	3/0-8/0 circle	Cut mullet, cut bunker3/0-8/0 circle
High-low	2-4 oz	1/0-2/0 circle	Shrimp, bloodworm, sand flea1/0-2/0 circle
Pompano rig	2-3 oz	1/0-2/0 circle	Sand flea, shrimp1/0-2/0 circle
Knocker rig	2-6 oz	3/0-5/0 circle	Cut bait, live bait3/0-5/0 circle
Popping cork	None or 1/4 oz jig	3/0-4/0 circle	Live mud minnow, shrimp3/0-4/0 circle