Here’s what I feel should be an easy question but that I still struggle to solve: How to attack removable weights to a bottom fishing rig without having to cut the line when you travel from place to place.
I typically like to fish what I call a “carolina rig”: a slip sinker above a swivel, follow by an additional 3-5 foot leader. However, this method requires me to cut the line and remove the weight each time I decide to run to a new position or risk the weight flying around damaging someone or the boat. Depending on the depth and the current these sinkers can become quite large and can do a lot of damage.
I have seen some folks suggest using a three-way swivel and attaching a loop on the bottom swivel that can be looped through a river sinker. However, the 3-way swivels I have been able to locate only go up to around 125lbs. When fishing for larger fish, I just do not feel comfortable until I’m in the 200-300lb. range.
What are some of the suggestions that other folks have? What type of rigs are folks using to bottom fish for some of the larger grouper. As always, thanks for being willing to share advice.
Those sinkers can knock somebody out or bang up a rod real quick if they aren’t secured [:0] Here is a much better method.
Let out enough line to get the sinker 6 or 8 inches behind the reel, then hook the hook on a guide frame near the tip. Now wrap leader around reel frame and handle until the weight is firm against the reel, then take a turn or 2 on the reel handle to snug it up tight. Good to ride.
It’s takes longer to describe it than it does to do it. Somebody just needs to show you how.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Try using a sinker slide with the Carolina rig. It’s what we do for catfish here in West Virginia.
Awesome…I’ve never heard of the sinker slides but they look pretty impressive. Anybody else use the sinker slides?
Not sure what depth you are fishing but if you are using 12-16oz weights to bottom fish a sinker slide probably won’t do you much good. Stick with Captain Larry’s advice.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
I use velcro straps around them. Either directly around the weight itself or around the line just above it so the weight cant slide and is pinned against the rod
Carolina Skiff J14, 25 Merc
Hydra-Sports 1800cc, 150 Johnson
Also, 3-Way swivel rig works as well. Caught plenty of grouper and big red snapper that way. We drift a lot and the 3-Way swivel rig seems to work better for us in that scenario
Those sinkers can knock somebody out or bang up a rod real quick if they aren’t secured [:0] Here is a much better method.
Let out enough line to get the sinker 6 or 8 inches behind the reel, then hook the hook on a guide frame near the tip. Now wrap leader around reel frame and handle until the weight is firm against the reel, then take a turn or 2 on the reel handle to snug it up tight. Good to ride.
It’s takes longer to describe it than it does to do it. Somebody just needs to show you how.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Forgive my ignorance…I’m having a little trouble visioning where you are hooking the line…Guide Frame…Are you hooking the hook on the guides then wrapping the line? There must be some trick I’m missing. Ive tried various ways of wraping my weights/lines only to have them work loose and release hell on the folks close by.
Line coming out of the rod tip, down to below the reel from underneath. Then take the line back up above the reel until the sinker is resting on the reel and hook the hook onto the nearest rod eye. Then reel up until everything is tight and the sinker is resting tight against the reel.
However, the 3-way swivels I have been able to locate only go up to around 125lbs. When fishing for larger fish, I just do not feel comfortable until I’m in the 200-300lb. range.
Good grief! How big are the grouper you are catching? You trying to hook into some goliaths??? 125lb swivels are PLENTY strong enough.
However, the 3-way swivels I have been able to locate only go up to around 125lbs. When fishing for larger fish, I just do not feel comfortable until I’m in the 200-300lb. range.
Good grief! How big are the grouper you are catching? You trying to hook into some goliaths??? 125lb swivels are PLENTY strong enough.
I tie what in call a loop knot. Pull out two foot of line. Tie it into a 8 inch non slip loop. And tie the hook to the tag in. Loop the weight tru the weight eye and pull it around. Works well with heavy mono.
If you have rubber or plastic butt covers (not gimble) you can place the weight in the rod holder first, then the rod And give a few turns of the handle to tighten things up. This works with spinners aswell.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-HT Bugbuster
Try this product. I purchased the redirig instant down rigger and have been using the same one for the past year. Easy on and off line and you can easily change the size of the weight.
