Rig It Right for the Optimum Bite

“Rig It Right for the Optimum Bite” article by Captain Russ Walker

It’s always made sense to me that if a fish can see it, they will hit a bait much quicker than if they must forage through the grass and mud flat to find it.

That’s why I rig to suspend my bait. It prevents the bait from becoming buried in the grass or mud and makes it an easy target for fish hunting in a very competitive food-seeking environment.

Grass Flats are wonderfully productive areas where an array of species can be found foraging.  It’s a great place to start your pursuit of the days quarry.

Incredibly, around 5’ to 6’ of water depth is where the grasses tend to lose their ability to produce photosynthesis for growth. Where plant growth ceases, roots can no longer hold the soil resulting in a natural erosional Edge. In other words, Start at the EDGE of the FLAT. This spot usually denotes the fall of the bottom into the depths of the localized channel area.

I contend that many predatorial species hunt these edges successfully, then dive back into the channel depths for safety. Kind of an Intercoastal Hunters, Superhighway, if you will. I can’t tell you how many successful trips I’ve made starting the day on a pronounced Grass Fat Edge. And yes, while many smaller fish may be located up on the flat, many more Big Fish are caught on the erosional, channel break edge. Trout, Cobia, Tarpon, Mackerel and more.

The perfect device for suspension is the popular Flat Top – Popping Cork. The leader can be pre-set to the appropriate depth. Plus, when popped, it produces an audible that the fish can hear while suspending the bait right in front of them to be had without effort. It keeps the scent of the bait up and off the bottom too. When I pitch the bobber out, once the slip weight knocks the hook below and settles upright, I yank the rod to the side a couple of times to Pop the Bobber. The brass beads clacking together produce a noise that is like ringing a dinner bell. If fish are anywhere near, they will come to the sound.

Each time I pop the bobber, the suspended live shrimp below jumps in plain sight at the end of the leader. Being a Charter Captain, it’s a great aid for clients that are unexperienced fisherman. The technique is easily mastered and produces great results for young and old alike. It’s all about catching fish in Florida with the whole family while on vacation, and anyone can use this technique. 80 to 100 catches are common for three sportsmen during a four-hour charter trip. This rig also works well offshore near wrecks too, suspending bait from the surface for Permit.

I make my own 200 lb. rated, Flat Topped, Popping Bobbers that allow me to suspend my bait right in front of my Grass Flat Edge quarry. Shorter throw and stronger than the ones found in the stores. From Trout to Tarpon, the only thing that changes are the size of the hook and leader. The leader length is always 4.5 feet. Fluorocarbon or mono, it doesn’t seem to matter.

Generally, I use a 3/0 Mustad Wide Gap Hook bumped by a 1//4 oz., pink or chartreuse egg sinker under a small red glass bead. The 30 lb. leader is always 4.5′ long and the magic depth number on the grass-flat edge is 5′. What’s not to like? It’s a deadly combo for Trout, Pompano, Mackerel, Snook, Redfish and Ladyfish.

Try it and you’ll like it. Be sure to pop the cork two or three times after your cast settles. Then remove the line slack and hang on. When the bobber disappears, just YANK IT and CRANK IT. Tip Up Dude!

I promise your days catch will increase by at least 40 %.