Fishing Rig #1: The float rig

Probably the #1 rig used by most paylakers this rig is a setup used for reaching those fish that are suspended in the water column. This rig is particularly effective during early morning and evening time when the fish come off the bottom and start actively searching the open water. Another benefit to the rig is that it puts the bait at the best presentation for catfish, above them. As mentioned before most fish see better above than below. The float rig, if used correctly, can put the bait above the fish and give them a greater chance to see the bait. Also, a major drawback to bottom fishing is in muddy or mossy bottoms the bait gets covered by mud and moss and it covers the scent of the bait. With a float rig it puts the bait in the current and that can help to attract fish as well.

To setup a float rig you need the following: hook, swivel, egg sinker/sliding sinker, slip bobber, bobber stop. First, cut about 24 inches of your line. Set this aside, we're goiing to use this as a leader. Feed your line through the slip bobber, then through your slip sinker (an optional setup is putting a drinking straw on before the bobber to help stop your line from twisting around itself). Tie your line in an effective knot onto one end of the swivel. Next take your 24 in of line you cut earlier and tie it onto the free end of the swivel then tie your hook on the opposite end of the leader line. This in its simplest form is a float rig. Now what you do is either take a thin piece of string/yarn or even a thin rubber band and tie it at the depth you want your bobber to stop. If your going to be fishing deep (5ft+) it is recommended that you cut some excess string/rubber band from your bobber stop so it can fit through the eyes of your pole.

So throw your bait on your hook (live or dead) and catch that monster fish!