Bottom Rigs for Saltwater Fishing

After how to tie different fishing rigs, we are going to share, with our readers, bottom rigs for saltwater fishing. For this, we should know what is bottom fishing.

 Bottom fishing is all about lowering the weighted hook and lure to the bottom of the water column. However, our readers-cum-anglers should be aware that bottom fishing can also be practiced before being adopted as a pastime hit-or-miss fishing activity. However, your fishing techniques can be altered according to water conditions on a given day, fish species, baits, tackles, local knowledge of the fishing area, and above all, patience.

 As far as bottom rigs for saltwater fishing are concerned, there are many easy ways to make these rigs. Moreover, saltwater can prove a good starting fishing venue for bottom fishing anglers who visit for fishing in huge numbers every year to catch fish like snapper, grouper, and amberjack.

 Below is the list of different bottom rigs for saltwater fishing:

1. Slip Sinker Rig

The slip sinker rig is one of the simplest but most effective bottom fishing rigs. Its makeup includes a common barrel swivel connected to a single leader line. Whereas the sinker, hook, and bead are attached to the end to take the bait down to the bottom.

2. Two-Hook Bottom Fishing Rig

The two-hook bottom fishing rig is one of the basic and versatile saltwater fishing rigs used to catch almost all types of fish. The following equipment can be used with a two-hook bottom fishing rig to catch smaller fish:

• A monofilament line of 30-50 pounds.
• Next, tie four 2 to 3-inch dropper loops that should be 3 to 4 inches apart.
• The bottom loop should have a sinker attached to it.
• Two middle loops should have a hook each.
• Lastly, the line should be running from the fishing reel to the top loop.

For larger fish, use the following equipment:

• 50-100 pounds test leader line.
• A snap swivel.
• Two three-way swivels.
• Lastly, a regular swivel.

3. The Classic 3-Way Swivel Bottom Rig

The classic 3-way swivel bottom rig is essential to drop big live baits on wrecks. The makeup of the classic 3-way swivel bottom rig requires the following material:

• A strong 3-way swivel from 80b to 130lb.
•  A 15’ to 20’ of fluorocarbon
•  Strong circle hook.
• A 12 inches piece of 20lb monofilament.
• A bank sinker of 16 ounces to 24 ounces.

4. Carolina Rig or Fish-Finder Rig

Carolina or fish-finder rig is one of the best fishing rigs because it can be ideally used with both natural as well as artificial saltwater baits. Further on, it keeps the bait closer to the bottom. The makeup of the Carolina rig has the following steps:

• Main line.
• Swivel.
• Egg sinker.
• Leader.

   Thread the main line through the hole in an eggsinker. Next, tie the swivel to the main line. Then attach a 6-12-inch piece of leader that is tied to a hook or artificial saltwater bait like a soft plastic.

5. Knocker Rig

The knocker rig is an ideal rig for fishing in reefs or closer to wrecks where many fish are expected to be caught easily through both lighter as well as heavier versions of the knocker rig.

Making of knocker rig needs the following steps:

• Tie the fishing line to a barrel swivel.
• Tie the leader to the swivel’s opposite eye. However, the length of a leader should be less than ten feet.
• Then follow the egg sinker and hook. When the rig is cast, the eggsinker moves down to swivel.
• Keep a distance between the sinker and hook, however.

6. Deep Drop and Chicken Rig

The next rig among bottom rigs for saltwater fishing is the deep drop and chicken rig. It is very productive when there is no wind and the current is slow. Moreover, it is an ideal rig for catching fish like rose snapper, snowy grouper, and tilefish. Similarly, a deep drop rig is rigid enough to withstand the strikes of bottom fish and then the pressure of back retrieval from hundreds of feet of water.

  As regards the chicken rig, it is a common form of deep-drop fishing rig. As the name suggests, it has been made for deep-dropping. The following material is required to make a deep drop and chicken rig:

• Heavy mono leader.
• Few swivels.
• Technically placed crimps.
• Circle hooks for deep dropping.

7. Popping Cork

A popping cork is a fishing rig that plays with the sense of sound of a fish. This fishing rig works best while shrimps or baitfish are on the water’s surface.

In a popping cork, one loop is tied to the mainline whereas the other end is tied to a piece of leader which is long enough to take the bait to the bottom.

   Summary

     Bottom rigs for saltwater fishing deal with the fishing at the bottom by taking the weighted bait and hook to the bottom. For bottom fishing, follow the following instructions:

• The rigs used for bottom fishing should be heavier so that they can withstand heavy strikes of larger fish.
• Fish with rigs according to the plan that is, targeted species and water conditions.
• Use quality hooks and swivels for bottom fishing to avoid any inconvenience in the middle.
• The leaders used for bottom fishing should be longer ones.
• Use fluorocarbon leaders.

     FAQs

1. What type of fish can be targeted by bottom rigs?

Ans. Grouper, snapper, bass, flounders, and drum are some of the fish that can be targeted by bottom rigs for saltwater fishing.

2. What makes the bottom rig?

Ans. Fishing lines also called the main line, leaders, or other abrasion-resistant fishing lines, hooks, sinkers, and swivels are the components of bottom rigs.

3. How to set up basic Bottom Rigs for Saltwater Fishing?

Ans. It has the following steps:

• Attach the swivel to the main line.
• Attach the leader to the other end of the swivel.
• A hook is added to the leader.
• A sinker be placed on a short dropper loop above the swivel.