How to Rig a Fishing Line

Depending on the kind of fishing you do there are different ways to rig your fishing line. In freshwater fishing, an angler may decide to suspend the bait off the bottom using a fishing float, fish along the bottom using sinkers or employ such artificial lures as plastic worms or spoons. Each method requires the fishing pole to be rigged properly for that tactic.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

How to Rig a Fishing Line

Things You’ll Need:

Snap swivels Snelled No. 4 hooks Split shots Fishing bobbers Fffset worm hooks Plastic worms Various lures Pliers
Snap swivels
Snelled No. 4 hooks
Split shots
Fishing bobbers
Fffset worm hooks
Plastic worms
Various lures
Pliers

Step 1

Tie a snap swivel onto your fishing pole using a clinch knot. By having a snap swivel on your line you can change from one method of fishing to another in rapid fashion. Use a swivel large enough so that it can be opened and closed easily.

Step 2

Attach a hook to your snap swivel. Open the swivel and thread the eye of the hook onto it. Snelled hooks are a fine choice for many types of freshwater fishing, with a No. 4 size large enough to handle such fish as bass or carp yet still small enough to catch panfish and eels.

Step 3

Secure a fishing float onto your line if you desire to suspend your bait below the surface. The bobber should be attached as far from up the hook as you want the bait to be beneath the water. A standard round spring-loaded bobber should suffice. Press down on the top button to push the catch through on the bottom, wrap your line around it twice, and then press down on the sides of the top button while your finger or thumb keeps the bottom catch from coming out. This will expose the top catch where the line can be wrapped around.

Step 4

Put split shot sinkers on your line if you want to keep your bait on the bottom. In this scenario there is no need for a bobber. Open the split shots by pinching their bottom together and slip them onto your line about 18 to 24 inches from your swivel and hook. Employ your teeth or a pair of pliers to close the split shots onto the line.

Step 5

Affix an offset worm hook onto your line if you plan to fish with plastic worms or similar bait. There is no need for a swivel, split shots or floats when you fish with plastic baits. To rig your worm to be weedless, slip a bullet sinker onto the line before you tie on the worm hook. Drive the hook through the very top of the worm, thread the worm on, bring the hook out only a half inch down the worm, turn the worm toward the hook and push the point of the hook into the worm so that when it encounters anything in the water it will not snag. This is known as a Texas rig.

Tips & Warnings

A snap swivel will allow you to quickly put on such lures as spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits, plugs and spoons, which lets you change from one to another while fishing.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

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