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All Fishing Rig Diagrams

Every rig diagram in the library, from beginner bottom rigs to carp, trolling, and live bait setups. Each one is built once and matched to the species that use it, with the exact line, leader, hook, and weight spelled out.

Showing 36 of 36 rigs

Realistic High-Low Rig fishing rig setup
High-Low Rig
Also: Paternoster Rig, Two-Hook Flapper, Snapper Snatcher, Dropper Loop Rig
beginner · surf, pier, jetty, boat
Realistic Fish-Finder Rig fishing rig setup
Fish-Finder Rig
Also: Running Sinker Rig, Running Ledger
beginner · surf, pier, jetty, boat, river, lake
Realistic Carolina Rig fishing rig setup
Carolina Rig
Also: Lindy Rig, Slip-Sinker Live Bait Rig
intermediate · boat, kayak, jetty, lake
Realistic Dropshot Rig fishing rig setup
Dropshot Rig
intermediate · boat, kayak, jetty, lake, river
Realistic Pyramid Sinker Surf Rig fishing rig setup
Pyramid Sinker Surf Rig
beginner · surf
Realistic Fireball Rig fishing rig setup
Fireball Rig
beginner · surf, pier
Realistic Freeline Rig fishing rig setup
Freeline Rig
Also: Floatline Rig, Fly-Line Rig
beginner · surf, pier, jetty, boat, kayak
Realistic Slip Bobber Rig fishing rig setup
Slip Bobber Rig
Also: Slip Float Rig, Sliding Float Rig
beginner · pier, jetty, boat, kayak
Realistic Sabiki Rig fishing rig setup
Sabiki Rig
Also: Bait Jig, Mackerel Feathers
beginner · pier, jetty, boat
Realistic Float Rig fishing rig setup
Float Rig
Also: Waggler Rig, Stick Float Rig
intermediate · pier, jetty, boat, kayak, river, lake
Realistic Wire Leader Rig fishing rig setup
Wire Leader Rig
Also: Wire Trace Rig
intermediate · pier, jetty, boat
Realistic Leadhead Jig Rig fishing rig setup
Leadhead Jig Rig
intermediate · boat, kayak, jetty
Main lineBullet weight (slides)EWG hookpoint buriedWeedless soft plastic
Texas Rig
beginner · lake, river, boat, kayak
Braid or light monoLeader knotLeaderJig head 1/16 - 1/2ozHook point upSoft plastic grub
Light Jig Head Rig
Also: Soft Plastic Jighead Rig, Jig and Grub
beginner · lake, river, boat, kayak, pier, jetty
Main line to the bendWeightedwire armSnapSpinner blade, beads3-6ft harness, 2 hooksBottom
Bottom Bouncer Rig
intermediate · boat, lake, river
Main lineThree-way swivelDropper6-18inBank sinkerLeader 24-48inHook
Three-Way Rig
Also: Three-Way Swivel Rig
beginner · river, boat, kayak, lake
Main lineEgg sinkerSwivelLeader 18-24inPeg floatCircle hook, cut bait
Santee Cooper Rig
Also: Santee Rig
beginner · river, lake, boat
Main lineCupped corkWire, clacker beadsSurfaceLeader 18-36inLive shrimp
Popping Cork Rig
beginner · pier, jetty, boat, kayak
Main lineFlat method feederlead in base, feed moulded onGroundbait or pellets3-4in hooklength, pellet
Method Feeder Rig
Also: Method Rig, Flatbed Feeder Rig
beginner · lake, river
Main lineCage feederon running linkBead, swivelHook length12-36inSmall hook
Feeder Rig
Also: Swimfeeder Rig, Cage Feeder Rig
beginner · lake, river
Main lineLead clipFixed lead 2-3.5ozBraid hook linkHookHairBoilie on the hair
Hair Rig
Also: Bolt Rig
intermediate · lake, river
Main linePulley swivel slidesalong the rig bodyRig body 60-80 lbSnood swivelHook snoodBait clipped downGrip lead
Pulley Rig
Also: Pulley Pennell Rig
intermediate · surf, jetty, pier
Main line 20-30 lbSwivelHook snoodWeak link, 6-10 lbbreaks before the main lineOld weightRock and kelp
Rotten-Bottom Rig
Also: Weak-Link Rig
intermediate · jetty, pier, boat
Main line from outriggerBall-bearing swivelWind-on leader 12-20ftCrimpSkirted lureHookTowed at 6-9 knots
Offshore Lure Trolling Rig
Also: Skirted Lure Rig
advanced · boat
Downrigger cableCannonballFishing lineRelease clipSetback 10-50ftFlasherHoochie
Downrigger Trolling Rig
intermediate · boat, lake
Main lineBanana sinkerLeader 6-9ftCut plugTwo tandem hooks, herring
Mooching Rig
intermediate · boat, kayak
Heavy main lineSwivel or wind-onLeader60-200 lbCircle hookLive bait, floss bridlethrough the nose or eye sockets
Heavy Live Bait Rig
Also: Bridled Live Bait Rig
advanced · boat, kayak, pier, jetty
Fishing kiteKite lineRelease clipFishing lineStop beadLive bait at surface
Kite Rig
advanced · boat
Main lineSmall swivelWire leaderLead hook in noseTreble stingerLive bait, slow-trolled
King Mackerel Stinger Rig
Also: Kingfish Stinger Rig
intermediate · boat, pier
PierAnchor lineGrapnel sinkerFighting lineTrolley clipLive bait
Pier Trolley Rig
Also: Trolley Rig
advanced · pier
Braid 65-130 lbHeavy mono rig bodyCircle hookson droppers3-4ft apart2-6lb weight
Deep-Drop Rig
advanced · boat
Main lineSwivelWire trace 18-24inTwo treblesDeadbait, strike early
Quick-Strike Rig
Also: Snap Tackle
intermediate · lake, river, boat
Main lineLeader3-5 linked hooksthrough a whole pilchard or garfish
Ganged Hook Rig
Also: Gang Hook Rig
beginner · surf, pier, jetty, boat
BraidTrace 50-80 lbMuppet teasersPirk 8-16ozTreble
Pirk and Muppet Rig
intermediate · boat
Main lineBoomLead 4-12ozLong trace 10-20ftSoft eel lureWreck or reef
Flying Collar Rig
intermediate · boat
Braid 30-80 lbFG knotFluorocarbon leaderSolid ringAssist hooksMetal jig100-400g
Vertical Metal Jig Rig
Also: Speed Jig Rig
intermediate · boat, kayak

Common Questions

What is the best all-around fishing rig for beginners?

The high-low rig is the most forgiving starting point for surf, pier, and jetty fishing. It keeps two baits just off the bottom, is quick to tie, and re-rigs easily if you snag. Move to a fish-finder or Carolina rig once you want a bait a fish can pick up without feeling the weight.

How do I choose which rig to use?

Match the rig to where you are fishing and what you are targeting. Bottom rigs (high-low, fish-finder, pyramid surf) suit surfperch, corbina, and croaker. Sliding rigs (Carolina, fish-finder) suit halibut and striped bass. Float rigs suit trout, salmon, and jacksmelt. Use the picker on the RigMyFish home page to get a specific match.

Do these rig diagrams include exact measurements?

Yes. Every rig page lists the main line, leader material and length, hook size range, weight type and size, and the line-to-sinker distance, so you can build the rig without guessing.

Why can't I find a paternoster or running sinker rig?

Many rigs have different names in different countries. A paternoster is the same layout as the high-low rig, and a running sinker or running ledger is the fish-finder rig. Type any regional name into the search box and it will point you to the matching rig page.