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Best Catfish Rigs: How to Tie, When to Use, and Why They Work

By: FishUSA Staff

October 20, 2025

Your rig puts the bait in the strike zone. The right rig holds bottom, avoids snags, and helps hooks set clean. This guide shows the best catfish rigs with simple build lists, tie steps, and when to use each. Follow the steps, make small changes, and you will catch more blues, channels, and flatheads.

Your rig puts the bait in the strike zone. The right rig holds bottom, avoids snags, and helps hooks set clean. This guide shows the best catfish rigs with simple build lists, tie steps, and when to use each. Follow the steps, make small changes, and you will catch more blues, channels, and flatheads.

Quick look at top catfish rigs:

  • Santee-Cooper Rig – best all-around drift and anchor rig for blues and channels
  • Carolina (Slip-Sinker) Rig – best simple rig for clean bottoms and cold water
  • Three-Way Rig – best for rock, timber, and ledges with current
  • Dragging Rig – best for covering big flats with minimal snags
  • Slip Float Rig – best for suspending baits over grass, timber, or drop-offs
  • Double-Hook Rig – best for large cut bait and trophy blues
  • Paternoster / Dropper Rig – best for strong current and tight spreads
  • Float-and-Fly (Small Bait) – best for channel cats in ponds and slow creeks

Table of Contents

  • Rig #1: Santee-Cooper Rig
  • Rig #2: Carolina (Slip-Sinker) Rig
  • Rig#3: Three-Way Rig
  • Rig#4: Dragging Rig (Snag-resistant)
  • Rig #5: Slip Float Rig
  • Rig #6: Double-Hook Rig (Big Bait)
  • Rig #7: Paternoster/ Dropper Rig
  • Rig #8: Float-and-Fly for Channels
  • Hooks, Leaders, and Weights: Quick Rules
  • How to choose the Right Rig (3 Questions)
  • Common Mistakes and Fast Fixes
  • Not Sure Where to Start?
  • Rig Tuning Tips
  • Conclusion

Rig #1: Santee-Cooper Rig

What it does: Lifts the bait off bottom. Reduces snags. Improves scent flow during drifts and slow pulls.

Parts: main line (30–50 lb braid or 20–30 lb mono), sliding sinker (1–4 oz), bead, barrel swivel, 24–36 in leader of 40–60 lb mono, 2–3 in peg float, 5/0–8/0 circle hook.

Steps:

  1. Thread sinker and bead on main line. Tie to swivel.
  2. Tie leader to swivel. Slide peg float on leader and peg it 1–3 in above hook.
  3. Tie on circle hook. Trim tag ends clean.

Use it: drift or slow-troll 0.4–0.9 mph over flats, shell beds, and mild ledges. Also works at anchor to keep baits clean above silt.

Pro tip: move the float closer for snaggy water; slide it higher for soft bottoms and short grass. 

Rig #2: Carolina (Slip-Sinker) Rig

What it does: Keeps bait near bottom with fewer parts. Shows light bites well.

Parts: main line, sliding egg sinker (1–3 oz), bead, swivel, 18–30 in leader, 4/0–7/0 circle hook.

Steps:

  1. Main line → sinker → bead → swivel.
  2. Swivel → leader → circle hook.

Use it: clean sand or mud, cold water, and when fish hug bottom. Great from bank or boat.

Pro tip: shorten leader to 12–18 inches in heavy chop to cut tangles.

Rig #3: Three-Way Rig

What it does: Separates weight from bait. Saves leaders. Tracks well in current and over rough ground.

Parts: main line, three-way swivel, dropper (10–20 in, lighter mono), weight (1–6 oz), leader (24–48 in, heavy mono), 5/0–8/0 circle hook.

Steps:

  1. Main line to top eye of three-way.
  2. Dropper with weight to bottom eye (use lighter line so it breaks first).
  3. Leader with hook to side eye.

Use it: rivers, ledges, boulder fields, timber edges. Also good for live bait that must swim clean.

Pro tip: add a small peg float on the leader near the hook to lift the bait over rocks. 

Rig #4: Dragging Rig (Snag-Resistant)

What it does: Walks baits across big flats with less hang-ups. Covers water fast.

Parts: main line, snap to drifting weight (slinky/pencil 1–3 oz), swivel, 24–48 in leader 40–60 lb mono, peg float, rattle (optional), 5/0–8/0 circle hook.

Steps:

  1. Main line to snap → drifting weight.
  2. Weight to swivel → leader with peg float 1–2 in above hook.

Use it: long wind drifts or slow trolling 0.5–0.9 mph on soft bottoms.

Pro tip: balance weight to speed so the rod shows a steady tap-tap, not a grind. 

Rig #5: Slip Float Rig

What it does: Suspends bait at a set depth above grass, timber, or drop-offs. Holds baits over snags.

Parts: main line (braid), slip float stop, bead, slip float, inline weight (1/4–1 oz), swivel, 24–36 in leader, 4/0–6/0 circle or kahle hook.

Steps:

  1. Main line → stop → bead → float → inline weight → swivel.
  2. Swivel → leader → hook.

Use it: standing timber, flooded brush, drop edges, and shallow evening bites. Perfect for worms or small cut bait for channels.

Pro tip: set the stop so the bait rides 6–18 in above cover. Nudge the float along with short pulls.

Rig #6: Double-Hook Rig (Big Bait)

What it does: Pins long cut bait or large fillets. Improves hookups on big blues.

Parts: 50–80 lb leader mono, two 8/0–10/0 circles, shrink tube or short snell, main line, sliding sinker, bead, swivel.

Steps:

  1. Snell hook #1 at leader end.
  2. Measure bait length. Snell hook #2 above it so both points sit in the meat.
  3. Leader to swivel; main line → sinker → bead → swivel.

Use it: anchor fishing on ledges, river bends, and creek mouths with big cut shad or skipjack.

Pro tip: put the lower hook near the blood line and the upper hook near the head for a firm hold.

 Rig #7: Paternoster / Dropper Rig

What it does: Holds weight below a fixed leader dropper. Locks depth and reduces tangles in strong flow.

Parts: main line, three-way swivel or surgeon’s loop, weight on bottom, 12–24 in dropper to hook mid-line, 4/0–7/0 circle.

Steps (three-way style):

  1. Main line to top eye.
  2. Leader dropper with hook to side eye.
  3. Short dropper with weight to bottom eye.

Use it: tailraces, dam boils, and fast slots where a Carolina rig rolls.

Pro tip: tie the weight dropper with lighter line so a snag only costs the sinker.

Rig #8: Float-and-Fly for Channels

What it does: Presents small baits high in the column for shallow channels at dusk and night.

Parts: slip float stop, bead, slim float, small split shot, 12–24 in leader, #2–1 baitholder or small circle, nightcrawlers or 1–2 in cut bait.

Steps: tie as a light slip float rig; set the stop to run 1–3 ft deep.

Use it: ponds, backwaters, windblown banks, riprap at night.

Pro tip: move the float a few inches at a time. Pause often. Channels cruise to you.

Hooks, Leaders, and Weights: Quick Rules

  • Hooks: use circles for most cut bait (5/0–8/0). Use octopus or kahle for live bait or worms. Expose the point.
    Shop Catfish Hooks
  • Leader: 40–60 lb mono fights abrasion on rock and shell. Go shorter in heavy chop; go longer for lift with floats.
  • Weights: pick the lightest that holds bottom and shows taps. Pencil and slinky styles slide over snags.
    Shop Catfish Weights

How to Choose the Right Rig (3 Questions)

  1. Bottom type? Clean = Carolina. Rough = Three-Way. Grass or timber = Slip Float or Santee.
  2. Boat speed? Drifting 0.4–0.9 mph = Santee or Dragging. Anchored = Carolina, Three-Way, or Double-Hook.
  3. Target fish and bait size? Channels/small cuts = Carolina or Float-and-Fly. Big blues/large cuts = Santee or Double-Hook.

Common Mistakes and Fast Fixes

  • Missed bites: stop jerking. Let circle hooks load. Reel to weight, then lift.
  • Constant snags: add a peg float, shorten leader, or swap to slinky weights.
  • Baits spin: trim skin and sinew. Hook once through tough meat. Use fresh cuts.
  • No bottom contact: add weight or slow the boat with a drift sock.
  • Tangles on the drop: wet leaders, stretch them straight, and keep casts low.

Not Sure Where to Start?

  • All-around: Santee-Cooper with a 30 in leader, 2 oz sinker, 7/0 circle, and a peg float.
  • Bank and ponds: Carolina with a 24 in leader and 1 oz sinker.
  • Rivers with rock: Three-Way with a light breakaway dropper.
  • Cover or grass: Slip Float set 6–18 in above the tops.

Rig Tuning Tips

  • Match weight to speed until the rod shows tap-tap, not drag.
  • Set drags to slip on surges. Tight enough to bury circles. Loose enough to save leaders.
  • Re-tie leaders after each big fish or snag. Nicks cost trophies.

Conclusion

Pick the rig that fits the bottom, speed, and bait. Keep the build simple. Use fresh cuts. Expose the hook point. Hold steady pressure and let the rod load. With these rigs and small adjustments, your spread will fish clean and your rods will stay bent.

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