Surfcasting - Rigs, Tips and Techniques

Two Hook Ledger Rig

Firstly, we have the two-hook ledger rig, which is an effective option when fishing for moki or shoalie snapper, with two fish at once not uncommon. I tie mine with backbone of 80lb line with two 50lb droppers coming off it.

And although the two baited droppers mean it only has reasonable castability – around sixty to eighty metres – the rig seldom tangles in flight.

However, there may be some tangling problems afterwards when fishing for smooth-hounds or tope, as they often roll up in the line and embed the other hook elsewhere in their body. This means a break-off at worst, or a huge fight as you bring them in sideways.

Running Rig

Our second rig is the running rig. In years gone by this used to be the main rig used by surfcasters. The idea was that a fish could pick up the bait and run off without feeling the weight of the sinker. However, I question this basic concept: surely the weight of the line, added to the reel’s light drag setting and ratchet, would still be significant when the fish starts moving off with the bait?

Despite this, the rig is well proven and has been a favourite for many years, allowing good bait movement if used in a current and casting reasonably well, although there is some risk of the bait tangling with the line in flight. This is a good rig to cast out and then set your rod up in a rod stand. It is ideal for fishing close gutters, and works well on kahawai, snapper and gurnard.

Ninety Mile Rig

Number three rig is the Ninety Mile rig – a cunning advancement on the running rig. I’m not sure if it was developed on the Ninety Mile Beach or not, but it certainly suited early surfcasters at that beach, where extra distance often equated to extra fish.

The rig casts well in comparison to the other rigs mentioned, because the sinker leads the bait and in some small way streamlines the whole rig while in flight. Small baits will enable even better casting distances with this rig. I am not saying that this is the equal of our present-day pulley rigs as far as casting distance is concerned, but it is good. However, there is some chance of the rig fouling up in flight if big baits are used, with the bola effect taking over and giving the impression of a small helicopter coming in to land.

This rig has accounted for many snapper, kahawai and trevally on the big surf beaches of the Far North, and is simple and easy to construct.

Strayliner Rig

The last rig is the strayliner, where the line is simply run through a ball sinker and a hook tied on the end. It doesn’t come simpler than that. Everyone should know about and use this rig when the conditions and situation suit it – after all, it’s a great rig to use on a featureless surf beach or when fishing a shoreline with a littoral current. The rig is cast well out and allowed to tumble with the waves or drag along the shore with the current. You will need to move with it and try to stay opposite the bait’s position though, otherwise it will quickly come in to shore. Consequently this rig provides a wonderful way to cover a lot of beach. Cast and walk until a fish finds the bait. Small baits offer the best way to achieve reasonable casting distance.

This is a good prospecting rig, and will catch snapper, kahawai, gurnard and trevally, as well as any shark species present. In flat, calm conditions you can cast this out and leave it there, but it doesn’t provide very good bait presentation with the sinker right beside it.

In all cases though, keep an open mind with your rigs and be prepared to change during your fishing session. It’s all about presentation, and each rig will present your bait in a different manner. You just need to find the right one for that moment.

February 2024 - Gary Kemsley
New Zealand Fishing News Magazine.
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