How to Make a Sea Fishing Rig

Try surf fishing in the sea with lighter gear and an easy to make fishing rig.

Sea fishing is a broad term that can include deep sea trolling, pier fishing, and surf fishing. Often times the experience many anglers have with fishing in the sea is casting into the surf. Surf fishing is mostly thought to involve using long rods and casting rigs with large weights that go far out beyond the breakers. However, lighter fishing equipment can be used with a simple rig that allows for great fishing with the gear you may already have.

Things You'll Need

• 8- to 10-pound test monofilament line 12- to 15-pound test fluorocarbon leader Egg weight Bead Barrel swivel Circle octopus hook Bait Scissors

Instructions

1. Choose a seven-foot medium-heavy rod with a matching reel spooled with eight- to ten-pound test monofilament fishing line. Slide a 1/2-ounce egg weight onto the end of your line, followed by a red glass bead.

2. Attach a barrel swivel to the end of the line with a uni knot. Feed six to eight inches of line through the eye of a barrel swivel two times. Bring the free end up alongside the main line forming a double line. Turn the free end back toward the swivel, creating a loop alongside the doubled line. Wrap the free end around the doubled line and through the loop six to seven times. Moisten the knot and pull tight. Trim the free end of the line to within 1/8 inch of the knot.

3. Attach a three to four foot length of 12- to 15-pound test fluorocarbon line to the opposite end of the barrel swivel with another uni knot. Moisten the knot with saliva or water and pull down tightly. The fluorocarbon will serve as a leader for the rig.

4. Tie a circle octopus hook onto the free end of the fluorocarbon leader with a Palomar knot. Choose a hook in the size four to six range based on fish species you will be targeting and personal preference. Form the Palomar knot by feeding several inches of line through the eye of the hook so the free end exits on the point side of the hook.

5. Turn the line back through the eye of the hook resulting in a loop on one side and a double line on the other. Tie an overhand knot with the loop and double line, pull the loop around the bend of the hook, moisten the knot, and pull down tightly against the eye of the hook. Trim the excess line from the knot with scissors.

References

• Fish the Surf: Carolina Rig
• Chesapeake Angler: Best Rods for Surf Fishing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish