surf and rocky shore rigs

base: line, shock leader and sinker

Surf casting throws heavy lead with force. Thin line alone snaps on the cast and the sinker becomes a projectile. Use a shock leader.

paternoster

The basic surf rig: sinker at the end and hooks above, on short droppers. The sinker stays on the bottom and the baits just above, farther from crabs and free to move.

1. At the top, tie a swivel to connect to the main line or shock leader.
2. Use 1 to 1.5 m of 0.50 to 0.70 mm monofilament as the rig body.
3. Make the dropper exits with a dropper loop knot, or with swivels locked between beads and stoppers.
4. Leave more than twice the dropper length between exits so the hooks don't tangle.
5. Droppers 15 to 30 cm of 0.35 to 0.50 mm monofilament.
6. At the bottom end, a snap to change the sinker without taking the rig apart.
7. On rocky bottom, tie the sinker with lighter line so you only lose the lead if it snags.

2-to-3-hook rig

It's a ready-made paternoster with two or three droppers. More hooks cover more height and offer more bait, but they tangle more and weigh more on the cast. On most beaches, two hooks are enough.

1. Body of about 0.60 mm monofilament, 1.2 to 1.5 m.
2. First exit about 20 cm above the sinker; the others 40 to 50 cm apart.
3. Droppers 15 to 20 cm.
4. Hooks sized to the fish's mouth and the bait: small for pompano and betara, larger for croaker and catfish.

feeder float for mullet

Mullet mostly feed on algae, mud and organic matter, and rarely take ordinary bait. The feeder releases a paste that draws in and feeds the school. Small hooks stay hidden in the paste, and the mullet swallows them while feeding.

1. Use a 3 to 4 m rod with a spinning reel and 0.25 to 0.35 mm line.
2. Thread onto the line a stopper knot, a bead and the sliding float.
3. Below the float, attach the feeder (spring or cage) with the hooks on very short droppers, 5 to 10 cm.
4. Use small hooks for the mullet's small mouth.
5. Fill the feeder with firm paste, such as ground feed, flour, bread and mashed sardine, and hide the hooks in the paste.
6. Set the depth with the stopper. Start between 0.5 and 1.5 m and adjust until you find the school.
7. Cast where the mullet are jumping or passing and wait for the float to sink or run. Set the hook gently.

rig for pompano

Pompano move through the surf zone and nearby troughs, after mole crabs, corrupto worms and small crustaceans. It calls for a light rig, a small strong hook and casting into the right trough.

1. 3.6 to 4.2 m surf rod, fast action, with a casting spinning reel.
2. Main line of 0.25 to 0.30 mm monofilament or 15 to 20 lb braid, always with a shock leader.
3. Paternoster with two short droppers, 10 to 15 cm.
4. Small hooks with a short shank and strong wire.
5. Colored beads (yellow, red or fluorescent) and a small float near the hook help attract fish and lift the bait off the bottom.
6. Pyramid sinker of 60 to 120 g, just enough to hold in the trough.
7. Bait with mole crab, corrupto, shrimp or shellfish. Cast into the trough and keep the line tight: pompano hit hard and run.