A fish finder rig is a simple yet effective setup designed to allow a fish to pick up bait and swim away with minimal resistance from the sinker's weight. This design is particularly useful for targeting wary fish.
At its core, the fish finder rig works by allowing your main fishing line to slide freely through a weight system. This means when a fish bites, it pulls the line through the slider rather than immediately feeling the heavy sinker.
Components You'll Need
Based on the structure described, assembling a fish finder rig requires several key components:
- Hook: The point where the bait is attached.
- Leader: A length of line connecting the hook to the swivel, often lighter or heavier than the main line depending on conditions.
- Barrel Swivel: Prevents line twist and serves as a stopping point for the sliding weight system.
- Bead: Placed between the sliding sleeve and the swivel to protect the knot from abrasion.
- Sliding Sleeve (Sinker Slider): A plastic or metal sleeve that slides freely on the main line, featuring an attachment point (like a snap or clip) for the sinker.
- Main Line: Your primary fishing line coming from the reel.
- Pyramid Sinker: A type of sinker, often used for its ability to hold bottom in currents.
- Lock Snap: (Implied to be part of the sliding sleeve) Used to quickly attach and detach the sinker.
Here's a quick look at the parts:
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hook | Holds the bait |
| Leader | Connects hook to swivel |
| Barrel Swivel | Stops the slider, prevents twist |
| Bead | Protects knot from slider |
| Sliding Sleeve | Allows main line to slide freely |
| Pyramid Sinker | Provides weight to hold bottom |
| Lock Snap | Attaches sinker to the sliding sleeve |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Build the Rig
Creating the fish finder rig is straightforward. Here are the steps as described:
- Attach the Hook to the Leader: Take a hook and attach it to a leader. Use a reliable fishing knot suitable for the line type (e.g., a Palomar knot or uni knot).
- Connect Leader to Swivel: Tie the other end of the leader to a barrel swivel. Again, a strong knot is essential here.
- Assemble Components on Main Line: Place a bead and a sliding sleeve (sinker slider) on the main line above the barrel swivel. The sliding sleeve should go on first, followed by the bead, so the bead sits between the slider and the swivel.
- Add the Sinker: Finally, add a pyramid sinker to the lock snap. This lock snap is part of the sliding sleeve assembly.
Your rig is now assembled, with the hook and leader below the swivel, and the sinker attached to the sliding sleeve on the main line above the swivel.
Why Use This Rig?
The primary advantage of the fish finder rig is its sensitivity. When a fish takes the bait, the line pulls through the sliding sleeve without the fish feeling the weight of the sinker. This allows the fish to move off with the bait, often leading to a more solid hookset once you reel in to engage the line. It's particularly effective when fishing in conditions where you need weight to keep your bait stationary on the bottom, such as in strong currents or surf, but are targeting fish that are sensitive to resistance.
