Liveliner
Well-known member
<div>How it is rigged is just too simple... On your main line slide on a barrel swivel first. then a plastic bead and then Tie your hook directly onto your main line. (One knot)</div><div>Next ... add any length line from the other end of the barrel swivel. That line should be 1/2 the strength maximum of your main line. I rate it to only be able to handle the weight of the sinker you plan to use. For example if I am using 10# line and use small split-shot sinkers I will use a 4# sinker drop line. for use with slightly larger tie on sinkers I will go with 6# test. When fishing shallow flats you can use a slightly larger sinker to get maximum distance without fear of the weight of the sinker effecting the free travel of your swimming bait. In most other rigs the line is highly restricted by being pulled through the heavy sinker buried in the bottom. With this set up the line has basically no restrictions as if you are running no sinker. It is only being pulled through the Eye of the swivel which is free and away from the sinker and the bottom. An advantage here also is that you have a tight line from your swimming bait to your rod tip. In the event of a fish nipping at your bait you will feel the hit since it is direct to your rod and not restricted by the drag through a sinker. Trust me on that.. you will see what I mean when you feel this for yourself.</div><div> In water depths up to 50' +/- when fishing for suspended fish you will usually be using a heavier sinker. With the same rig set up and even with heaver line. Toss your rig out. When it hits the water it is very important that you allow your line to freely peel off your reel until the sinker hits the bottom. The resistance of the bait trying to swim will cause lesser resistance for the line coming from your reel. Therefore your sinker will settle to the bottom leaving your bait near the surface. Take in your slack and you will have a "V" in your line with the bottom of the V at the swivel above your weight. As you retrieve line, you are forcing your struggling bait down and into the waiting fish. You should know fish will feed up rather than be watching as you drag your bait up from below them in other methods.</div><div>Now, when bottom fishing in any depth and this includes offshore. With or without live bait this still works. If you are fishing over reefs or rocks you may want to add a slightly longer sinker drop line. This method for bottom fishing requires that you apply slight resistance to your reel as the sinker drags your bait down so as to keep the bait next to the swivel. If you free-spool your bait could be left high as in the last example. Here you want it down fast. The resistance you are holding will allow you to feel the bottom when your sinker hits the rocks. If you desire to fish for example two feet above the bottom your sinker drop should be two feet long. Bingo. no guessing at your cranks up.. If you lower your rod or feed line out you will allow your bait to move around and to get nearer to the bottom.</div><div> When that grouper snatches your bait, you know it is the sinker that hangs you. With this rig and the light pound test sinker drop line, the hung sinker will break off first leaving you with a direct line to your fish. </div><div>In shallow flats in grass beds and using split-shot sinkers, a very light pinch will allow the split-shot to be pulled off the end if the sinker drop line in the grass. If you desire .</div><div>Now the Tangle-free feature. When you retrieve your bait, it will first be pulled down to the barrel swivel. The bead will center and rest in the eye of the swivel. the resistance of the sinker will cause the hook to turn out to a 90 degree angle from your main line and sinker drop line and stay that way all the way to the rod tip. It is almost impossible to get a tangle even with Treble hooks. You can test this in your garage. when you lift the rig your hook will stick out away from your line. The bead is very important for this feature.</div><div>For what ever way you fish give this your own test and I assure you will see an increase in the sensitivity in feeling fish first. You will soon realize how whatever size sinker you are using, it will not effect the action of your live bait. And you will seldom if ever lose a hook or your rig from getting hung in the rocks. I had much rather sacrifice the sinker for that big fish.</div><div>For freshwater bass and panfish, this rig is killer.</div><div> Good luck. and I truly hope you guys will at least give this a try. </div><div>Liveliner</div>
