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Main lineEgg sinkerSwivelLeader 18-24inPeg floatCircle hook, cut bait
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Main lineEgg sinkerSwivelLeader 18-24inPeg floatCircle hook, cut bait
Bottom rigs · Rig diagram & setup

Santee Cooper Rig Diagram & Gear List

A fish-finder style catfish rig with a small peg float on the leader a few inches above the hook, which lifts cut bait off the bottom and keeps it swaying in view while the sinker drags or sits on the mud. Named for the South Carolina lakes where it became the standard drift rig for blue catfish.

Also known as: Santee Rig (US)

Where to use it
river, lake, boat
Difficulty
beginner
Common in
US

Gear List

  • main Line20-30 lb monofilament or 50 lb braid
  • leader25-40 lb monofilament
  • leader Length18-24in from swivel to hook
  • hook Range5/0 - 8/0 circle hook
  • weight TypeSliding egg or no-roll sinker, 1-3oz
  • sinker Drop LengthSlides freely above the swivel, no fixed drop length
  • swivelBarrel swivel, size 1-3
  • extrasPeg float or 1.5-2in cigar float pegged on the leader about 4-6in above the hook
Optional gear

Gear to build this setup

These Amazon.com searches match the guide's starting specifications. Check the size, listing, and availability in your country before ordering.

Catfish float rig components Match float, sinker and hook to current.Search on Amazon5/0 to 8/0 circle hooks Check hook size, bait fit, and local hook rules before ordering.Search on Amazon

Affiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to tie the Santee Cooper Rig

  1. Thread a 1-3oz egg or no-roll sinker onto the main line, then a bead.
  2. Tie the main line to a barrel swivel and add 18-24in of 25-40 lb leader.
  3. Slide a peg float onto the leader and fix it 4-6in above where the hook will sit.
  4. Tie on a 5/0 - 8/0 circle hook, bait with cut shad, and drift or anchor.

When and where it works best

Drifting or anchoring over flats and channel edges where cut bait lying flat on the mud gets buried or ignored.

How it differs from similar rigs

Identical to the fish-finder rig except for the peg float, which lifts the bait and keeps it off snags and out of the mud.

Is the Santee Cooper 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 River & Inshore Rod for a matching rod.

What fish is the Santee Cooper Rig good for?

Channel CatfishBlue CatfishFlathead Catfish

Related Rigs

Fish-Finder RigFireball RigThree-Way RigHigh-Low Rig
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 Santee Cooper Rig?

A 20-30 lb monofilament or 50 lb braid main line, a 25-40 lb monofilament leader (18-24in from swivel to hook), a 5/0 - 8/0 circle hook hook, and a Sliding egg or no-roll sinker, 1-3oz. Full gear list is above.

What is a Santee Cooper Rig best for?

The Santee Cooper Rig works best for river, lake, boat fishing, and is a recommended setup for Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish. Difficulty: beginner.

Is the Santee Cooper 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.