Common Fishing Rigs for Bait and Bottom Fishing

By Spencer Hollis

What Is a Fishing Rig?

A fishing rig is the combination of terminal tackle, hooks, sinkers, swivels, bobbers, and leaders, that you tie to the end of your line to present bait or a lure. The right rig keeps bait at the depth where fish feed and helps you detect bites. The Missouri Department of Conservation explains that how you rig depends on the species: catfish often feed near the bottom, so weight is needed, while crappie and panfish may swim a few feet beneath the surface, where a bobber holds bait in view.

Below we walk through the rigs described in educational guides from state wildlife agencies, the knots used to build them, and how to match sinker size to conditions. Always check your state’s fishing regulations for license requirements, gear restrictions, and size and bag limits before you head out.

Bobber (Float) Rig

The bobber rig is often the first rig a beginner learns. According to the New York State DEC’s Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing, the bobber and bait rig is the best rig for beginners because the bobber lets you know when a fish takes the bait. The South Carolina DNR calls it the most popular and most often used rig of all. The Missouri Department of Conservation adds that a bobber may jiggle, plunge downward or skate across the water when a fish bites.

To assemble a basic bobber rig, attach a fixed bobber (round red-and-white or spring-lock style) to your line at the depth you want to fish. The Minnesota DNR’s MinnAqua guide suggests that fixed bobbers are easier for young anglers to put on and take off, while slip bobbers are easier to cast in deeper water. Below the bobber, pinch one or two split-shot sinkers onto the line. The Minnesota DNR advises using just enough split shot so the bobber rests upright with about half of it above the water. Tie a hook to the end of the line using an improved clinch knot. Bait the hook with a worm, wax worm, or minnow. The Missouri Department of Conservation suggests hooking a worm several times through, and the South Carolina DNR adds that some of the worm can dangle below the hook, but no more than about an inch, or fish will nibble without biting the hook.

The Missouri Department of Conservation explains that crappies and many other panfish often swim a few feet beneath the surface, where a bobber holds the bait in view. The New York DEC notes that a split-shot sinker is optional and should only be used if needed to improve casting or keep bait down. The same guide warns that this rig can be difficult to use on windy days. For more on float selection, see our Fishing Floats and Bobbers guide.

Bottom Rig with a Sliding Sinker

When fish are feeding near the bottom, a bottom rig keeps bait in the strike zone. The New York DEC describes a bottom rig built with an egg sinker, a barrel swivel, and a 12- to 18-inch leader. Thread the main line through the egg sinker, then tie it to one end of a barrel swivel. To the other end of the swivel, tie a leader of 12 to 18 inches and finish with a hook. The New York DEC explains that the larger the weight, the more resistance the fish feels, so use the smallest weight that keeps your bait at the bottom. The Missouri Department of Conservation makes the same point: on a calm day one or two split shot may be enough, and the lighter weight is less likely to alert fish that are sampling your bait.

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NC DMF) lists a saltwater cousin in its Hooks, Lines and Sinkers guide, the Flounder Rig: a 12- to 36-inch leader with a barrel swivel at the top, an egg sinker placed one-third of the way down with a crimp or stop that still lets the sinker move, optional beads or spinners, and a hook of your choice. NC DMF lists shrimp, squid, cut bait, mud minnows and finger mullet as bait, and flounder, bluefish and black sea bass among the likely catches. Its Red Drum Rig uses a 2-ounce or larger egg sinker with beads above and below it to prevent leader wear.

The New York DEC says a bottom rig is especially good for species that feed on the bottom, and on windy days when a bobber is hard to use. The Missouri Department of Conservation gives catfish as an example of a fish that usually searches for food near the bottom. The New York DEC advises watching the rod tip for subtle bobs or a sudden slack line, which signal a bite. Learn more about sinker shapes in our Fishing Sinker Types article.

Two-Hook Bottom Rig (High-Low / Dropper Rig)

For surf and pier fishing, anglers often use a rig that presents two baits at different heights above the bottom. The NC DMF’s Hooks, Lines and Sinkers guide details a Bottom Rig with a 14- to 16-inch leader, a barrel swivel at the top, and two 3- to 4-inch dropper loops tied into the leader. A snap swivel at the bottom holds a pyramid or bank sinker. The dropper loops let you attach hooks at two levels. NC DMF lists bait with cut bait, shrimp, squid, or artificial baits and likely catches such as black sea bass, croaker, spot, bluefish, flounder and sea mullet.

To build it, tie a barrel swivel to the end of your main line. Make a leader of 14 to 16 inches with two dropper loops of 3 to 4 inches. Attach a snap swivel to the bottom of the leader and clip on a pyramid sinker for sandy or high-current areas, or a bank sinker for soft or shell bottom, the uses NC DMF gives for each shape. Add a hook at each dropper loop. For leader material advice, see our Fishing Leader Guide.

Weedless Rig for Soft Plastics

When fishing around weeds, brush, or timber, a weedless rig helps prevent snags. The New York DEC’s guide notes that soft plastic baits can be added to a jig head or a plain hook, or rigged weedless, which it calls a great way to fish a soft plastic because it lets you fish in the weeds. The goal of a weedless rig is to keep the hook point from catching on cover.

This rig is popular for bass, panfish, and walleye. The Minnesota DNR’s MinnAqua guide mentions that plastic worms are commonly used for bass and can be threaded onto a basic hook or jig head. A weedless presentation lets you cast into heavy cover where fish hide. For more on soft plastic setups, visit our Soft Plastic Rigs Explained page.

Knots for Building Rigs

A well-tied knot is essential. The Minnesota DNR, Missouri Department of Conservation, and New York DEC all recommend the improved clinch knot for attaching hooks, swivels, and lures. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Rigging Your Pole page describes the steps: run about 6 inches of line through the hook eye and fold it back, rotate the hook about ten half-turns, put the end through the space between the first twist and the eye, bring the tag end back through the loop that forms, then moisten and tighten. The South Carolina DNR also gives the Palomar knot for tying line to a hook. Missouri suggests trimming the tag end about 1/4 inch from the knot. Our Fishing Knots Guide covers these and other knots in detail.

Matching Sinker Size to Conditions

Using the right sinker weight makes a rig more effective and less likely to spook fish. The Missouri Department of Conservation advises using the lightest tackle you can: on a calm pond, one or two split shot may be enough to hold bottom. The New York DEC echoes this, saying to use the smallest weight needed to keep bait at the bottom, because fish dislike resistance when taking bait. The Minnesota DNR suggests using just enough split shot so a bobber sits upright and half-exposed. In current or surf, heavier sinkers are needed. The NC DMF’s guide lists pyramid sinkers for sandy, high-current areas and bank sinkers for soft or shell bottom with slower current.

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s basic tackle list includes assorted split shot and a package of three half-ounce bell sinkers, for a first outing. The Minnesota DNR’s MinnAqua guide says to collect only the gear you really need and to start with a small tackle box holding a few extra hooks, sinkers, bobbers, a fingernail clipper, needlenosed pliers and a few band-aids. By mastering a few rigs and knots, you can adapt to different waters without carrying a heavy, overstuffed box. For a starter checklist, see our Beginner Fishing Gear Checklist.

Comparison Table: Common Rigs at a Glance

Parts and target species are based on the guides from the New York DEC, North Carolina DMF, Minnesota DNR, and Missouri Department of Conservation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest rig for a beginner to start with?

The bobber rig is the most beginner-friendly. The New York DEC calls it the best rig for beginners because the bobber gives a clear visual signal when a fish bites. The South Carolina DNR also notes it is the most popular rig. You only need a bobber, a small split shot, a hook, and a worm or wax worm.

How do I know what size sinker to use?

Use the lightest sinker that keeps your bait in place. The Missouri Department of Conservation says one or two split shot may be enough on a calm pond. The New York DEC advises using the smallest weight needed to hold bottom, because fish feel resistance and may drop the bait. In current or surf, switch to a heavier pyramid or bank sinker as described by the North Carolina DMF.

Can I use the same rig in freshwater and saltwater?

The ideas carry over. The North Carolina DMF’s guide shows sliding-sinker and two-hook bottom rigs used in coastal waters for species like flounder and black sea bass, and the New York DEC uses an egg sinker bottom rig in freshwater. Whatever the water, the Minnesota DNR suggests drying tackle after each trip so lures and hooks don’t rust.

For more on hooks, sinkers, bobbers, and other terminal tackle, see our Hooks & Terminal Tackle guide.

Sources

• Minnesota DNR MinnAqua: Tackling Your Tackle Box
• Missouri Department of Conservation: An Introduction to Fishing
• Missouri Department of Conservation: Rigging Your Pole
• North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries: Hooks, Lines and Sinkers
• New York State DEC: I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing
• South Carolina DNR: A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing

About Spencer Hollis

Spencer puts together our beginner & family fishing guides, digging through specifications, manufacturer details and owner reviews so you don't have to.