There are many rigging options for catfish fishing from the bank. These include the popular Slip Sinker Rig, Slip Bobber, and Paternoster Rigs. Knowing what works best for your situation is the key to success. Each type of rig has a different use case but often involves the same sort of tackle. This article will explain how to use each type of rig for catching catfish and review different components such as leaders, bobbers, and other tackle that these rigs need.
Table of Contents
Types of Catfish Rigs
Slip Sinker Rig
The Slip sinker rig is a fishing technique that allows the fish to easily pull the line through the eye of the sinker without feeling any resistance at all. This makes this rig ideal for bottom fishing, particularly with light-biting catfish. A fish that cannot feel any resistance from the rod is less likely to strike and spit the bait. A slip sinker rig keeps the bait stationary on the bottom, waiting for the cat to find it, swallow it, and swim away, all without knowing it’s been hooked. Some anglers use a fish alarm to alert them when their line is pulled out.
How to rig
The slip sinker consists of a non-fixed weight on the main fishing line (which allows it to slide up and down the line freely). After that, a swivel connects the main fishing line (usually monofilament or braided) to the leader line. The swivel stops the sliding weight from going any further toward the bait and is an easy way to connect two different types of fishing lines. After that, a hook is tied to the leader and baited.
Tips
- Make sure to match your sliding weight type to the underwater terrain you are fishing. Walking sinkers work well in muddy bottoms. Bullet weights do well in vegetation.
- Nightcrawlers, cut bait (perch, bluegill, etc), and artificial power bait are all effective with the slip sinker rig.
- Dragging this rig along the bottom works best (slowly). Remember, the floating weight allows the bait to move about at will without fear of getting tangled.
Items needed for the slip sinker rig
Bonus gear
Leader line: 40-50 Lb clear monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. The leader line of heavier weight helps to absorb shock during aggressive strikes and provides additional abrasion resistance.
Hook: When using prepared baits, we prefer #4 or #6 4X strong triple hooks. Circle hooks are the best for blue catfish, flathead, and larger channel cats.
Swivel: There are various sizes and styles to choose from when it comes to barrel swivels. The basic brass barrel swivel is fine, but for more performance, you can try a ball bearing or crane swivel.
Sinker/Weight: Egg sinkers and no roll sinkers are the preferred choices for catfish anglers.
A good Slip Sinker Rig has enough weight to hold the bait in place while you wait for the strike. It also has a leader long enough to run through the sinker’s eye, thereby improving the odds of the fish remaining in the mouth while the hook is set.
This rig can be simple to use and only comprises a few basic components.
To make one, start by tying a leader to your hook, a split shot on the other end, and a bottom dropper attached to the sinker. The bottom dropper’s length will depend on your minnow’s size.
In addition to a leader, a slip sinker rig should have a weight that matches the bottom type. A bullet-weight or egg sinker will be more effective in muddy bottoms, while a walking sinker is better for water that contains a lot of underwater vegetation.
Because this rig is so simple to use, it works great in many situations and seasons. It works well on a bank and is great for holding your bait on the bottom in a current.
Slip sinker rigs are one of the most common ways to rig for catfish fishing. This is because they are versatile and effective.
Paternoster Rig
This rig is a multi-hooked catfish rig that can be used from the shore. It is most appropriate to use a paternoster rig when there’s not much water running in the river or a slack tide, as the multiple hooks on the mainline are more susceptible to getting hung up. This rig should not be used with a slack line because fish will sense resistance and drop the bait before you can feel the fish and strike. Also, remember that no matter what bottom fishing you do, you need to use the lightest sinker possible. This is especially important for the paternoster rig.
How to rig
Most of the time, anglers use two hooks on the paternoster rig. The dropper loop is one of the best knots to rig up a paternoster.
Items needed for the slip sinker rig
A Paternoster rig is an excellent choice for flatheads. This type of rig suspends the bait above cover and entices the catfish to bite. The rig is most effective when the water is calm, and there is little to no running tide.
The Paternoster is also an effective choice for use in a large pond or in a shallow point in a reservoir. It is an excellent choice for catching cats when the fishing conditions are right.
Paternoster Pre-finished/Complete Gear
Slip Bobber Rig
The slip bobber rig is a versatile tool for catching catfish. You can use it for fishing in shallow and deep waters. This type of rig consists of a small bobber and a length of line. The length of the line depends on the depth of the water where you’re fishing. If you’re fishing in a lake that’s 20 feet deep, you may use a longer line than you would for shallow water.
If you’re looking for a stealthy rig for fishing in deep water, a slip bobber is the right choice. You can use this rig to lure catfish hiding in log jams or downed trees. Slip bobbers are also easy to work around brush and log jams. These are some of the most common places that summer cats hang out.
Slip bobber rigs are an excellent way to target suspended catfish. You can also use it for catfish lying on a lake’s surface. Slip bobber rigs are ideal for catching catfish during the summer. You can adjust the depth of your bait to target the different types of catfish. Slip bobbers work well on both fresh and saltwater waters.