| SPANISH RIG The spanish rig, used to rig spanish mackeral, can be also be used to rig any larger baits, such as, large blue runners, large mullets and others. These rigs can be run deep or on the surface. Because the baits are larger on this rig, it is usually trolled on the surface, and deployed as the long line to decrease chances of tangling the stread. The extra stinger increases the chances of a good hook-up when a king strikes the bait. Both live and dead bait can used with this rig. If dead bait is used, a medium sized jig head should be used as the nose hook to make the bait run true and not spin. |
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| There as many variations of kingfish rigs as there are king fishermen, but most of the basics are the same. The main differences in our rigs that we choose to use a Spro 35lb. swivel where the rig connects to the line rather than an albright knot. Though the albright knot is smaller, the Spro swivel is tiny and it eliminates line twist. We use black Gamakatsu live bait and treble hooks. The darker color helps camoflauge the hooks and don't rust. We also may use smaller gauge stainless wire and hooks than most anglers. We feel the smaller wire and small, black hooks generate more strikes. With confident angling skills, we feel good about landing a good fish on light tackle. Our philosophy is, the more strikes we can get, the more opportunities we get to land a winning king. These are some of the basic rigs tied for kingfish, how they can be used and the type or size of live bait used on these rigs. Some of these rigs can be used when trolling dead bait by using a jighead for the nose hook rather than a live bait hook. All connections of hooks and swivels to the wire are haywire twists. When two pieces of wire are connected at a live bait hook, the loops of the haywire twists must be connected to insure the wire will not pull through the gap at the end of the eye of the hook. |
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| Single Pogy Rig Most live-bait kingfish rigs are variations of this rig. The single pogy rig is commonly fished naked or with color. Colored skirts and beads can be used to attract more attention to the bait fish. Skirtsand beads should be rigged in front of the live-bait or nose hook on the lead wire. This live-bait rig can be made into a dead-bait rig by twisting a weighed jig head instead of the live bait hook as the nose hook. This rig can be trolled on top or deep on a downrigger. |
| Single Pogy Rig w/ Front Stinger A variation of the single, this rig adds a few advantages. First, allowing the skirt to ride on extra stinger, the bait is full exposed. We feel that allowing the kingfish to see the baits eyes gives the king more confidence in the bait. Also, the skirt hides the extra stinger well. Second, once the fish is hookedup, the second stinger usually contacts and hooks the fish along with the back stinger.This helps provide the angler with a solid, and increases the chances of landing the king. |
| Double Pogy Rig The double rig is a expantion of the single rig. This rig allows 2 baits to be trolled in line. Since kingfish will almost always attack the back bait, there is no need for a stinger on the front bait. This rig does not work well with dead baits, but can be excellent when 2 baits of simular size are used. It is important that the wire between the nose hooks be long enough to allow the bait to swim normally, but no long enough to allow the baits to tangle. This rig can be trolled deep or on the surface. Make sure to inspect the rig before running it back in the spread to insure the baits are swimming correctly. |
| Ribbonfish Rig As named, the ribbonfish rig is used to rig dead ribbonfish, otherwise known as silver eels. Silver or nickel hooks are used to camoflauge against the shiny skin of the bait. Always make sure the fins on the sides of the ribbonfish are trimmed off to help the bait track correctly through the water. Correct tracking can be achieved easier by using a heavy jig head as the nose hook. The hook should run upward from the lower jaw and out the upper. Be careful. Ribbonfish have very sharp teeth. The remaining hooks should be attached down the bait back, allowing for enough bend in the wire for the bait to swim. These rigged baits can be used on a flat line, but are usually trolled slowly on downriggers. Because kingfish usually attempt to bite off the tail of their prey on their initial strike, it is important to have the last stinger hook with a few inches of the end of the ribbonfish. |
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| Skirt or Beads |
| #3 dark colored, 12" peice of stainless wire. |
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| Naked |
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| #35 Spro swivel |
| Cape Lookout Lures skirt |
| #2 black Gama-katsu live bait hook |
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| 1/2 oz jig head for dead baits |
| #4 dark, 4" to 6" peice of stainless wire |
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| #6 2X black Gama-katsu treble hook |
| #6 2X black Gama-katsu treble hook |
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| #3 dark colored, 4" peice of stainless wire. |
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| #35 Spro swivel |
| #3 dark colored, 18" peice of stainless wire. |
| #2 black Gama-katsu live bait hook |
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| 1/2 oz jig head for dead baits |
| #4 dark, 4" to 6" peice of stainless wire |
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| #6 2X black Gama-katsu treble hook |
| * All hook and swivel connections are made with a haywire twirst. The loops of the twists need to also be connected on all hooks where the eye is not welded. |
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| C&H Lures skirt or beads |
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| Naked |
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| #35 Spro swivel |
| #3 dark colored, 18" peice of stainless wire. |
| #2 black Gama-katsu live bait hook |
| #4 dark, 4" to 6" peice of stainless wire |
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| #6 2X black Gama-katsu treble hook |
| * All hook and swivel connections are made with a haywire twirst. The loops of the twists need to also be connected on all hooks where the eye is not welded. |
| #3 dark colored, 10" peice of stainless wire. |
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| #2 black Gama-katsu live bait hook |
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| C&H Lures skirt or beads |
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| Naked |
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| #35 Spro swivel |
| #3 silver 18" peice of stainless wire. |
| 3/0 silver Gama-katsu live bait hook |
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| 1 oz. jig head |
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| #4 silver 9" peice of stainless wire |
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| #6 2X silver Gama-katsu treble hook |
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| #4 silver 7" peice of stainless wire |
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| #6 2X silver Gama-katsu treble hook |
| #4 silver 5" peice of stainless wire |
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| #4 2X silver Gama-katsu treble hook |
| * All hook and swivel connections are made with a haywire twirst. The loops of the twists need to also be connected on all hooks where the eye is not welded. |
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| Skirt or Beads |
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| #35 Spro swivel |
| #4 dark colored, 18" peice of stainless wire. |
| #3/0 black Gama-katsu live bait hook |
| OR |
| 3/4 oz jig head for dead baits |
| #5 dark, 4" to 6" peice of stainless wire |
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| #4 2X black Gama-katsu treble hook |
| * All hook and swivel connections are made with a haywire twirst. The loops of the twists need to also be connected on all hooks where the eye is not welded. |
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| #5 dark, 4" to 6" peice of stainless wire |
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| #4 2X black Gama-katsu treble hook |
| * All hook and swivel connections are made with a haywire twirst. The loops of the twists need to also be connected on all hooks where the eye is not welded. |
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| Team Live Wire Kingfish Rigging |
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| SKA Professional Saltwater Tournament Angling Team |
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| Team Directory |
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| #4 silver 5" peice of stainless wire |
| #4 2X silver Gama-katsu treble hook |
| Naked |