Fish-Finder Rig Diagram & Gear List

The sinker slides freely on the main line, so a fish can pick up bait and move off without feeling resistance. Good in heavier surf or current where a fixed weight would spook a bite.

Also known as: Running Sinker Rig (AU, NZ), Running Ledger (GB, IE)

Where to use it: surf, pier, jetty, boat, river, lake
Difficulty: beginner

Gear List

main Line15-20 lb monofilament
leader20 lb fluorocarbon
leader Length12-18in from swivel to hook
hook Range1/0 - 3/0 circle hook
weight TypeSliding egg sinker, 1-3oz
sinker Drop LengthSlides freely above swivel, no fixed drop length
swivelBarrel swivel, size 2-4

How to tie the Fish-Finder Rig

Thread a 1-3oz sliding egg sinker (or a sinker slide with a pyramid) onto the main line.
Add a bead to protect the knot, then tie the main line to a size 2-4 barrel swivel.
Tie 12-18in of 20 lb fluorocarbon to the other end of the swivel.
Finish with a 1/0 - 3/0 circle hook and let the fish run with the bait before tightening up.

When and where it works best

Current, surf wash, and rivers where fish mouth a bait before running with it, over sand, mud, or light weed.

How it differs from similar rigs

The Carolina rig uses the same sliding weight but a much longer leader and is usually dragged; the fish-finder is cast out and left still on a shorter leader.

Is the Fish-Finder Rig good for beginners?

Yes. It is rated beginner: quick to tie and forgiving to fish. Practice the connections in the knot guide, and see the Surf Rod for a matching rod.

What fish is the Fish-Finder Rig good for?

California Halibut Leopard Shark Striped Bass Chinook (King) Salmon Rainbow Trout Channel Catfish Kokanee Salmon Bat Ray White Sturgeon Brown Trout Redear Sunfish Walleye Northern Pike Brook Trout Lake Trout Cutthroat Trout Coho (Silver) Salmon Chum Salmon Pink Salmon Atlantic Salmon Blue Catfish Flathead Catfish Common Carp Freshwater Drum Bowfin Lake Sturgeon Pacific Halibut Spotfin Croaker Red Drum (Redfish)Black Drum Tarpon Cobia Bluefish (Tailor)Summer Flounder (Fluke)Southern Flounder Atlantic Croaker Red Snapper Gag Grouper Red Grouper Blacktip Shark Roach Common Bream Barbel Tench Chub European Seabass Plaice European Flounder Dab Turbot European Whiting Haddock Common Ling Starry Smooth-hound Tope Lesser Spotted Dogfish (Small-spotted Catshark)Murray Cod Golden Perch Australasian Snapper Yellowfin Bream Black Bream Dusky Flathead Sand Whiting King George Whiting Mulloway (Jewfish)Australian Salmon Giant Trevally (GT)Coral Trout Mangrove Jack Kahawai Silver Trevally Blue Cod Tarakihi Hapuku (Groper)Red Gurnard Rig (Spotted Estuary Smooth-hound)Cubera Snapper

Practical starting point only. Adjust line, hook, and sinker sizes for conditions and target fish, and verify current regulations before fishing.

Common Questions

What do I need to tie a Fish-Finder Rig?

A 15-20 lb monofilament main line, a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader (12-18in from swivel to hook), a 1/0 - 3/0 circle hook hook, and a Sliding egg sinker, 1-3oz. Full gear list is above.

What is a Fish-Finder Rig best for?

The Fish-Finder Rig works best for surf, pier, jetty, boat, river, lake fishing, and is a recommended setup for California Halibut, Leopard Shark, Striped Bass, Chinook (King) Salmon. Difficulty: beginner.

Is the Fish-Finder Rig hard to tie?

It is rated beginner. The knot guide covers the terminal connections used across RigMyFish rigs, so you can practice each connection separately before building the full setup.