Fishing Line Rigging Tips

Know Your Lines

Different types of fishing require different types of line. Designed to be tough and durable, monofilament is the most common line used today and is effective when fishing in heavy cover or rocky areas. There also are braided and fusion lines, which are very tough and can be useful when fishing around vegetation. Fluorocarbon line is invisible in water. Thinner, limp lines are best for spinning reels. Bait casting reels can use any type of line and will handle stiffer lines well. Whatever your choice, make sure the type of the line you use is appropriate for the fishing conditions.

Practice Your Knots

It has been said the most important part of properly rigging fishing line is the knot you tie. Knots for fishing rigs should not be haphazard. What might seem like a secure knot to the uninformed might actually slip or break under the force of a pulling fish. The Snell knot gives you a strong, finished knot for tying to hooks. For tying hooks or swivels to the end of a line quickly, try the Palomar knot. It's easy to tie and will not slip or cut under pressure. To tie a loop on the end of a line for slipping on weights or snapping on swivels, a Surgeon's knot works well. To join lines together, such as when tying a light leader to a heavier main line, use a Wedge knot. Practice these four simple--but effective--knots. Other, more specialized knots might also be used effectively. When properly executed, they will hold up under pressure.

Use the Right Tackle

Make sure the hooks, swivels, weights and other tackle match the weight and type of line you use. Excessive weight from heavy tackle can snap your line on casting or reeling in. Too much line weight can make light tackle difficult to cast. Match your line to the rod and reel you are using. A small reel with heavy line means less line on the spool. If you've ever had a big one strip your reel, you know what that feels like. Too large a reel can mean excessive line and difficulty managing backlash on baitcasters and spool clog on spinning reels.

Know Your Fish

This seems a simple enough thing. The bigger the fish, the heavier the rig, right? Not necessarily. The average weight of the fish species does matter, and your rig should accommodate that variable. But different fish species also react differently when hooked. Some tend to run and fight hard, so a heavier line will be required, while others are easy catches, and lighter line will do. Some species also tend to be keen-eyed, spotting colored lines quickly and avoiding them. When rigging, it's also important to know the feeding habits of the fish. Are they bottom-, middle- or top-feeders? Do they prefer live bait to artificial lures? Understanding the behavior of you quarry and matching your line and rig to the fish you are targeting will help you catch more.

Know and Practice Building Rigs

Different fish prefer different presentation of bait, and your rig should accommodate that. Suppose you are largemouth bass fishing in fresh water. A Carolina or Texas rig is a good choice. If you are after channel catfish, a classic bottom feeder, use a slip sinker rig to keep your bait down where the fish are. When fishing saltwater for bonito or king mackerel, try a sea witch rig. There are many resources on the internet with excellent illustrations about how to construct a variety of rigs properly to targeting specific types of fish. Practice building these rigs. Then test them by going fishing. If you have done your homework and constructed a quality rig, the only thing standing between you and success is whether the fish are biting.