How to Repair a Bottom Line Fish Finder

Surf Fishing image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com

Fish finder rigs are an excellent way to locate a variety of salt water game fish in the surf. Typically featuring a length of line with two dropper lines located 12 inches apart, fish finder rigs are fished on the bottom and commonly used with 2- to 4-ounce lead weights. As these rigs are fished, the pounding they take from the surf and rip currents can cause damage that can affect the effectiveness of the rig. Repairs are often easy to make and should be undertaken to maximize the effectiveness of the rig.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Bottom fish finding rig
Barrel swivels
Hooks
Scissors
Snaps

Step 1

Examine the bottom fish finding rig. Evaluate the condition of the lead weight at the bottom, the hooks, barrel swivels, snaps and the line used to form the rig itself. Look for signs of damage or wear to snaps and swivels that could cause failure if a large fish were hooked. Examine the hooks looking for dull points, damaged barbs and worn or damaged shanks. Check the line for abrasion paying particular attention to the areas around knots.

Step 2

Replace hooks as needed. Hooks can either be tied directly to the two dropper lines or attached by means of a metal snap. For hooks tied directly to the line, cut the line just above the knot with a sharp pair of scissors.

Step 3

Attach a new hook with a Palomar knot. Form the knot by inserting the line through the eye of the hook for 3 to 5 inches. Double the line and feed it back through the eye and pull the free end up along side the main line. You should now have a loop on one side of the hook and a double line on the other. Tie an overhand knot with the loop and doubled line, then pull the loop down around the bend of the hook. Moisten the knot, pull tight and trim the excess line from the free end with scissors.

Step 4

Replace a hook attached with a snap by pressing the wire of the snap so it is released and will spring open. Slide the hook off the snap wire, place a new hook on the wire through the hook eye, and press the wire to secure it closed.

Step 5

Replace worn barrel swivels by cutting the line free from both eyes with a sharp pair of scissors. Attach a new replacement barrel swivel to the rig with a uni knot. Pull the free end of the line through the eye of the barrel swivel for 4 to 5 inches and up along side the main line to form a double line. Turn the free end back toward the swivel to form a loop along side the doubled lines. Wrap the free end of the line around the doubled line and inside the loop three times. Moisten the knot, pull tight and trim the excess line from the free end with sharp scissors.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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