Rigging It Right For Inshore Fishing

To catch fish consistently you need to know how to rig properly with the correct tackle. When fishing Inshore I use 2 different rigs. The first rig is very simply called a Free Line Rig. This is exactly what it sounds like. You tie your main line to your Fluorocarbon or Monofilament line with your favorite knot. Don't add swivels or any other hardware. Then tie to your leader material to the hook of your choice. Cast this rig out and let your bait swim around freely until it gets attacked and you hook up. If your bait is small and not moving much you can slowly reel your bait towards you and impart a twitch with your rod every few feet. If the tide is strong you may want to add a split shot weight to your leader 6 to 10 inches from your hook.

The second rig I use is a Floating Cork Rig. I have my line rigged exactly like Freelining, but attach a 3" Split-sided bright green Cigar Float to the leader 18 to 24 inches above the hook. Just below the cork I pinch on a #1 Split Shot. This rig unlike a lot of the rigs bought in the store allow you to change the depth of your bait without having to cut and re-tie your leader. This rig also cast like a bullet, which gives you extreme distance on your cast. The further you can have your bait from yourself the more bites you will get whether you are wade fishing or fishing from a boat.

Once you cast your cork rig out, let it settle for a minute or so to see if you get struck right away. If you don't get a strike then give your rod 2 or 3 quick snaps with a tight line. This will cause the float to splash water and make a sound like bait flitting on the surface. This will also cause your bait to hop toward the surface which can entice an explosive strike. Unlike the store bought rigs that make a tremendous amount of sound and vibration on the surface, this rig is much more subtle. Because of this you not only catch Spotted Sea Trout, but also Snook, Reds and many other fish that swim inshore. When you bring your rig in check your bait for signs that it was bit or attacked. If so replace your bait with a fresh bait every time. The more natural your bait acts the more bites you will get.

I use Circle Hooks 95% of the time because they are environmentally friendly by usually hooking fish in the corner of the mouth and not gut hooking fish. This is excellent for catch and release. Although I do enjoy a nice fresh fish fillet now and again. For leader material I use 2 to 3 ft. of Fluorocarbon leader in 20 to 30 pound strength depending on whether I'm fishing on open flats or near structure. Fluorocarbon leader being that it is nearly invisible underwater helps improve your catch ratio. I use only braided line inshore because it cast further than monofilament and doesn't stretch. This provides powerful hook-ups when fish bite.

Between these 2 rigs you can always catch fish inshore.

The MCB