Rigs

On these pages we will talk Rigs. There are many ways to rig baits and some are much better than others depending on many factors such as current, depth, snags ,bait size & type.

Rig tools

For the many rigs we use..i keep a lot of stuff handy in case the fish prefer a different presentation..and somtimes the RIG makes a big difference. For flatheads i use heavy leader making materials(30+ lb. test monos or Fluorocarbons, 36-80 lb. test braided dacron/poly), lighter lines for droppers when using a 3 way rig(sizes from 6-15 lb. test mono)I ONLY use mono lines that i have confidence in..Berkley Big Game & Big Game Supreme are awsome tough lines..i do not use thier XT, XL or thier bright colored Big Cat lines.For braided lines i use either Mason or Gudebrod..i HATE the newer "super"lines i feel the 0% stretch sucks..i break 80lb superlines way to easy, prefering atleast the 6-8% stretch of braided dacron/poly is better in a no give fight with flatheads in heavy cover....in open water i stick with Berkley big game or supreme. Sinkers, there are many styles out there i prefer the original bank sinkers that we pour ourselfs in sizes from 1-5oz standard, flat no-snag sinkers 1-3 oz.(we pour too) and bass casting sinkers 1-4 oz.(we buy in bulk). We also use Barrel Swivels(with split or solid rings) and 3 way rig swivels depending on our type of rig. Beads, sometimes used in many "slidding" rigs to protect knots from scuffs caused from the sinker banging against the knot.

Basic

This rig is the easiest to use and is one i use the most for flatheads in cover using big live baits or fresh cut-bait. This rig is very good in heavy snag infested areas when we use NO leader at all. Its a basic rig where if you want(i usualy dont) but you can tie a leader(length depending on current, size of bait and snags present) of anywhere from 3"-36". I usually tie this rig and dont use any leader or swivel letting the sinker slide all the way to the hook. You can add a bead in between the sinker and hook to protect the knot. I dont worry about this too much as i prefer in heavy cover areas to use a minimun of 50 lb. test braided dacron/polyester.So scuffing the line or the knot for me is not a problem.I do recommend for lighter mono lines that a bead be used.The sinker its self can be in many styles like i have shown. Bank style sinkers in the 1.5 oz.-5oz. are common for us again depending on many factors. I bought a new mold this past winter to pour the newer "flat" no-snag style sinkers in 1oz.-3oz. sizes and they work very well in heavy current areas like below tailwaters. Another style that i used to use all the time in the past and they work very well is the "bass casting" style sinker. I do not use egg style sinkers much as the tend to roll around way to much in my personal opinion, i even found that in heavy cover areas that nice strong bait fish can roll them egg sinkers around and will pull you into brush easy. In heavy cover keeping a bait pinned down after the bait has settled on bottom is top priority..a bait with a long leader can get a running start and drag your sinker far enough sometimes to get in brush. I use heavy weights and leave no room between the sinker and bait. I also feel keeping the weight close to the bait keep pressure o the bait and makes it struggle harder and longer..which in turn will draw flatheads to your bait...also a good live strong kicking bait is the key to flatheads. This rig can also be used with other baits like fresh cut bait in heavy cover. In areas clear of snags this rig will work with a leader..length again depends on bait size and current. A rule of thumb for me..heavy current, shorter the leader. The less the current, the longer the leader is you can get away with. Longer leaders tend to swist in mod.-heavy current. Also the bigger the bait(either live or fresh cut) the shorter the leader too. This rig s my most popular cause i prefer a sinker to freely slid on the line letting the fish pull the clicker, without dragging the sinker around with it. NOW in boats this whole deal goes out the window..you can get away with so much more in boat when baits are dropped over the side and maybe reeled up a few cranks to get the bait off bottom. These rigs i describe are for BANK anglers..boat anglers can use just any old tackle, line, rig and circle hook and catch fish..not so for the bank angler who has to consider MANY more factors when presenting baits, specially when casting ditance out in the white water below dams..you can use thier boat rigs..but you will loose many more hooks, sinkers and fish!

improved 3-way

This is a nice 3 way rig where the length of the leader can be changed very easy by letting more line out from your reel, you can get your bait away from the sinker from what your leader length is(if any?) to as many feet as you want(in no snag areas of course) this is like a basic slip rig, but nice cause you can run a lighter line from the top "sliding" swivel to the sinker so if your sinker gets hung up on the bottom..you can break free saving your rig..or if a cat takes your bait and the sinkers snagged..the light line will break leaving you to fight the fish. A real fish saver in heavy rock bottom areas where the sinker always seems to snag up all the time. Again a bead can be placed on the main line between the two swivels to protect your knot from scuffs.Leaders on this rig again depends on many factors..you can run a 1ft. hook leader and a 3ft. sinker leader..just depends on your fishing conditions and bait. I also like this rig as the sinker slides along the line when i cat hits the bait, not dragging along behind it..causes less tension on the cat...cats dont mind tension as long as its constant tension(quoted from Doug Stange, In-Fisherman). .