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Charted WatersCoastal Virginia
Sheet 01 of 28

beginner rig

Bottom presentation

Fish-finder rig

A sliding sinker that lets a fish take bait without feeling weight.

Best for
Cut bait on sand or shell bottom from surf, beach, and marsh shorelines.
Water
SurfShorePierKayak
Fish-finder rig schematicTop to bottom: main line, sinker slide, sinker, bead, swivel, leader, hook, bait.

Schematic, not to scale. Hover, tap, or tab through the parts; the drawing isolates each one.

Terms usedMain lineFish-finder rigSinkerBeadSwivelLeaderHook sizesCircle hookBraided lineMonofilamentFluorocarbon

Components

As listed in the rig record, top to bottom.

  1. Main line (mono or braid)
  2. Sinker slide or fish-finder sleeve
  3. Pyramid or sputnik sinker sized to hold bottom
  4. Barrel swivel
  5. 18–24 in fluorocarbon or mono leader
  6. Circle hook sized to the bait

Step by step

  1. 1Thread the sinker slide onto the main line, then add a small bead.
  2. 2Tie the main line to one eye of the barrel swivel.
  3. 3Attach the sinker to the slide clip.
  4. 4Tie 18–24 inches of leader to the other swivel eye.
  5. 5Finish with a circle hook and bait it so the hook point stays exposed.

When to use it

  • Moving tide with mild to moderate surf
  • Sandy or shell bottom without heavy snags
  • Any time you want bait to stay put in current

Common mistakes

  • Sinker too light — the rig rolls and tangles
  • Setting the hook hard on a circle hook instead of reeling steadily
  • Leader so long it wraps the main line on the cast

Variations

Sliding-sinker rigs: the same idea, adjusted

Rigs drawn from the same schematic family — heavier, lighter, or with one part changed for a different fish or water.

All bottom rigs

Where to use it

Water this rig is documented for

All fishing spots