Catfish Rigs: For Every Style of Catfishing

It’s time to dust off those rods and start gearing up for catfish season if you haven't already, but the big question is, do you know where to start? With all the new and innovative ways of targeting cats, rigging rods can seem a bit overwhelming. Rest assured, after some practice, it’s really not that complicated. Once you have tackled the basic rig, the rest will begin to fall into place.

In this article, you will learn different types of rigs, when to use them, and how to tie them using Whisker Seeker tackle. Included with pictures for visual learners, like myself. However, I must note that each one of these standard rigs can be adapted to your fishing situation or style. You can tie these with any knot, any size gear, and any length. So never be afraid to think outside the box when tying your rig.

Carolina Rig

If you could only learn one rig for catfishing, the Carolina Rig would be it. Also referred to as the Slip Sinker Rig, this is one of the best rigs to know if you ask most catfishermen. This basic bottom rig is used mainly in slower-moving water. It can be used while anchored or trolling. This rig relies solely on the scent of the bait to attract the fish. The advantage to this rig is that when the fish takes the bait, the main line will slide through the sinker easily, not allowing the fish to feel much resistance before setting the hook. This method is extremely effective when using a bait clicker.

The Carolina Rig consists of six components:

1. Mainline
   • Anywhere from 35-85 lb WS Braid
2. Sinker
   • A “no roll” or egg sinker (1oz - 5oz depending on current)
   • A slinky weight attached to a sinker slide can be used when the bottom is snaggy
3. WS Bumper Stop or Bead
4. WS Barrel Swivel
5. Leader Line
   • You can use 20-50 lb WS Mono or opt for a heavy leader line
6. Whisker Seeker Hook 
   • J hooks are great when anchored and setting the hook
   • Triple Threats are a perfect go-to for any situation

Follow the steps below to tie this rig:

1. Cut 10-18” leader line. Typically a shorter line is used for cut bait
2. Tie a snell knot to your hook and trim the excess line.
3. Using a Palomar knot, tie your leader line to your swivel and trim the excess line.
4. Run your main line through your sinker or sinker slide (with attached sinker)
5. Follow with your choice of a bead or bumper stop.
6. Using a Palomar knot, tie your main line to the other end of the swivel and trim the excess line

Santee Cooper Rig

The Santee Cooper Rig is a variation of the Carolina Rig, distinguished by the addition of a peg float. This innovative design aims to elevate your bait from the bottom, positioning it higher in the water column. Not only does this rig enable the use of live bait or realistic imitations, but it also creates the illusion of natural, free-swimming bait.

The Santee Cooper Rig consists of 7 components:

1. Mainline
   • Anywhere from 35-85 lb WS Braid
2. Sinker
   • A “no roll” or egg sinker (1oz - 5oz depending on current)
   • A slinky weight attached to a sinker slide can be used when the bottom is snaggy
3. WS Bumper Stop or Bead
4. WS Barrel Swivel
5. Leader Line
   • • You can use 20-50 lb WS Mono or opt for a heavy leader line
6. WST Peg Float
7. Whisker Seeker Hook 
   1. J hooks are great when anchored and setting the hook

Triple Threats are a perfect go-to for any situation

Follow these steps to tie a Santee Cooper Rig:

1. Cut 14-28” of leader line- the longer your leader line is, the higher your bait will rise
2. Tie a snell knot to your hook and trim the excess line.
3. Slide peg float on so it is 2-3” above hook and insert peg to hold
4. Using a Palomar knot, tie your leader line to your swivel and trim the excess line.
5. Run your main line through your sinker or sinker slide (with attached sinker)
6. Follow with your choice of a bead or bumper stop.
7. Using a Palomar knot, tie your main line to the other end of the swivel and trim the excess line.

Additional Whisker Seeker variations for extra noise and vibration:

1. Add a Versa Rattle just above the hook
2. Replace the peg float and hook with one of the following Whisker Seeker Rigs:
3. Rattler Rig - A pre-rigged float rig with one hook
4. Stinger Rig - A pre-rigged float rig with two hooks. With two hooks, you have the option of running one large bait or two pieces
5. Catfish Spook - A pre-rigged hard body float (painted to mimic bait) with one hook
6.  PP/MP Seekers - A pre-rigged float rig with an added prop for extra turbulence, and one hook
7. Big Bertha - A pre-rigged large-size float rig with one hook. The larger size float allows you to use a bigger bait

**Pro Tip**- each one of the Whisker Seeker catfish rigs comes with EZ clips so you can switch out to your hook of choice.

Slip Bobber Rig

I like to think of the Slip Bobber Rig as the adult version of bobber fishing. Once you see that bobber scream away underwater, you can't help but feel like a big kid again! The Slip Bobber Rig is a fun way to target fish and cover different areas of the water while anchored. You can work on your casting skills and precisely place the bobber where you want it to float, like along shorelines, snaggy areas, or across current breaks. Or you can simply toss it out and let the bobber float aimlessly around while you kick your feet up. Either way, you are covering water in ways that you couldn’t with a bottom rig.

The Slip Bobber Rig is a Carolina Rig with the added bobber component:

1. Main Line
   • 35-85lb WS Braid
2. WST EVA Slip Float
   • Choose the size of bobber for the size of bait you will use.
   • The ounce weight of the float equals the amount of sinker weight to keep the float upright and easily detect strikes.
3. No roll sinker or egg sinker
4. Bumper Stop or Bead
5. WST Barrel Swivel
6. Leader line
   • 20-50lb WS Mono or opt for using a heavy leader line
7. Whisker Seeker J hook

Follow these steps to rig a Slip Bobber Rig:

1. 6-10” leader line.
2. Tie a snell knot to your hook and trim the excess line.
3. Using a Palomar knot, tie your leader line to your swivel and trim the excess line.
4. Attach Slip Bobber to mainline.
   • First, attach the bobber stop to the desired length.
   • Follow with a bead.
   • Slip the main line through the slip bobber.
5. Run the main line through no roll sinker.
6. Follow with your choice of a bead or bumper stop.
7. Using a Palomar knot, tie your main line to the other end of the swivel and trim the excess line.

   
   Additional Whisker Seeker variations:

   WS Weighted Bobber - This bobber works great for longer casts. You also don’t need to have a sinker, which is an added bonus.

   WS Lighted bobber - This bobber is amazing for those who want to continue fishing into the night hours. With a built-in LED light, these bobbers are super visible and look awesome when taken underwater.