Whether bobbing for bluegills in the local pond on a sunny afternoon or trying to tackle goliath grouper off the coast of Florida, you'll need one important item: the proper fishing rig. Each type of fish prefers to have bait presented a certain way, and there is usually a rig to accommodate. You also need to size rigs properly and assemble them correctly to improve your chances of catching fish.
Tie a Proper Knot
When building fishing rigs, use proper knots. An improperly tied knot will slip and come undone or may jam and cut the line. Use an arbor knot for tying off fishing line to a reel spool. Snell, improved clinch or Palomar knots are perfect for tying hooks to leaders. Use dropper loops to attach multiple jigs or hooks. The surgeon's knot is excellent for joining lines together, particularly leaders to main line. Whatever knot you choose, make sure it is suited to the job it is performing on your rig.
Use a Swivel
While a swivel may seem superfluous, it's a good idea to have one at the top of your rig. The swivel prevents line twist, which can make for difficult casting and retrieving of your fishing line. The swivel also prevents a fish from twisting the line to the point where it may break.
Use a Leader
Leaders are particularly useful for presenting lighter lures or baits. When a heavier main line is required to handle the type of fish being targeted, but that species of fish may be more sensitive to heavier line, a lighter leader can help to prevent the fish from noticing the line. Fluorocarbon line, which is practically invisible in water, is particularly useful for this method. Fish such as northern pike, barracuda, tuna and others that may cut monofilament or other fishing lines will probably require the use of the wire leader.
Use the Right Hook
Ensure the hook you are using matches the type and size of the fish you are targeting. Fish with smaller mouths such as bluegills, smelt or crappies require a smaller, more delicate hook while bass, pike and larger fish need a bigger and more robust hook. It's also good practice to keep your hooks sharp.
Match the Rig
Different fish species prefer different methods of bait presentation, and your rig should be able to meet that need. For instance, catfish are predominantly bottom feeders. An egg weight on the main fishing line above a swivel with a leader and hook helps keep your bait down where the fish are. Other fish such as crappies or sunfish may respond better to a baited hook suspended from a float or bobber. Understand how best to present to the fish and build your rig accordingly.
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