How to Rig Fishing Line Using Frozen Anchovies

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You can find anchovy bait at bait and tackle stores, large fisherman stores and sporting good stores across the U.S. Live and frozen varieties are commonly sold in multiple packs. Although anchovies are sold whole, you can easily cut them into smaller pieces for tantalizing bait combinations. Anchovies work well with such baits as night crawlers and pieces of mackerel. Rig your fishing line with anchovies when fishing for catfish, striped bass and other large game fish.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fishing line
Fishing hook
Fishing line cutter

Step 1

Rig your fishing rod with an appropriately rated pound-test line. Make your selection based on fish species and fish size.

Step 2

Add a weight for bottom-fishing applications. Tie at least a 1/2 oz. sinker to your line when fishing for striped bass, for example. Use a sinker that is heavy enough to submerge your rig to the water depth you want to fish. Rig the weight 1 foot above the location where your hook will be set.

Step 3

Thread the free end of your mainline--or leader, if you decide to add one--through the eyelet located at the base of your hook. Tie the hook to your mainline using a clinch knot. Tie your mainline to the hook. Double back and swing your mainline over the standing line six times. Pull the mainline through the loop and close the clinch knot.

Step 4

Cut the anchovies into thirds or keep them whole. Thread the whole or cut anchovy onto the hook point. Press the small fish along the hook shaft until the hook point exits the anchovy from the other end.

Step 5

Cast your line using the cast-and-retrieval pattern that is most effective for the fish species you want to catch. Work anchovies along the bottom to lure large game fish that typically dwell behind obstructions waiting for forage fish, such as the anchovy, to swim by.

Tips & Warnings

Keep anchovies frozen by placing them on a block of ice in a cooler.

Always proceed with caution when handling a fishing hook.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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