Best Bank Fishing Rigs for Catfish

[@carr869]

Got boats, got kayaks but I really like bank fishing. It’s a real memory thing. Takes me back so that’s why I like it. Your sit-n-there. Got your cooler full of beer, cola and sandwiches. Damn ya can’t beat it.

[@rileygibson7836]

I think I take it for granted sometimes. I’m limited to it now, but I know when I plop myself in a kayak or boat someday, I’ll 100% miss the feeling of finally pulling a fish in from the bank. Your comment helped put that idea into perspective, thanks. :)

[@lawrenceshdow]

I love bank fishing.. Finding spots that others dont know about; relaxing with a small fire sometimes; none of the hassle with a boat; the ability to decide at any time to go fishing quick with minimal prep. I like getting the boat out as well. But bank fishing will always be part of my experience.

[@Yelladog78]

There's no better channel on KZbin to get helpful real world information on catfishing

[@DieterMelhorn]

Wow….that’s very nice of you to say….THANK YOU!!

[@FishingWithChris_Tv]

With the knocker rig, a small piece of aquarium air line (around 2-3”) between the hook and sinker will fix the issue of the sinker getting in the way.

[@PandaEffect1325]

Considered a bobber stop or like a salmon bead peg... thats a good thought too!

[@russbrown6453]

Brilliant video DM. Don't forget It's not just the bristles in the catfishs' mouth. When your draggin, that line can go thru sharp rocks, stumps etc... It may be beneficial to drag with 80 or 100 lb test braid, and 80-100 flurocarbon leader.

[@robertkreachbaum4546]

Nice video Dieter & good advice for Bank Fisherman. Since I'm now exclusively a bank fisherman what I usually do to gain casting distance is to used braided line as my main line with monofilament leader. I also used longer rods such as 11ft or 12ft surf casting rods for maximum distance, otherwise I'm using 7.5 ft to 9 ft casting rods and used monofilament line on my reels.

[@zbreeden7622]

I use knocker rigs a lot and I just use narrow egg sinkers and stack beads between it and the hook to taper down to 5he hook so that it makes missing the hook less likely

[@johnmondock6539]

Glad you're back, Godspeed healing to you. Tx for the videos, hungry fish out there, like the new content

[@02nightowl]

5:12 another solution that i use is what my dad called a simple bead stopper and its basically this ------------------------ and simply tighten the knot wherever u want the sinker to stop, the only issue ive had with this is sometimes the stopper knot will come undone after a few hours of casting

[@erikhinds-cy9cx]

High low rigs, Kentucky rigs, surf rigs seem to work well in high current. I’ve had good luck with them at Santee, Cooper. Love your videos, and advice. Your gear videos are the best though.

[@samtarariverasanchez59]

Thank you because I’m about to start fishing near a damn!

[@devindaniels7770]

I currently fish a lot with 65lb Stealth Braid with double lead and the improved clinch knot holds brilliant when done properly

[@hollishall]

You can put a weight stop on the Carolina rig to keep the weight from sliding to far and keep it with in 12" of the swivel

[@dougiemac8417]

Good to see you sharing awesome much needed and appreciated content. I depend on your videos for catfishing. 👍🏾💯👍🏾

[@DukeCityFishing]

Love your videos always have some great info. Appreciate you sharing

[@snakesgunsandbikes]

Live next to the Susquehanna River in Pa. Finally have time to get back into fishing. Thanks for the advice. Gonna give it a go.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Have fun!

[@nooneisme7158]

The carolina rig is perfect and to me the best all aprund for any fishing. I've also caught cat fish, blue gill, bass, trout and if you want the bait not on the bottom add a small float bobber about 1" before the hook and it will float up, best used if their is a nice current it make the perfect presentation. I caught a 10lb bass off that set up with a hot dog.

[@williammason9789]

My PB flathead (about 38#), was caught on a live goldfish. I cast out to where I later figured out was near a mussel bed. The goldfish was in the water, maybe, 2 minutes before the flathead had it and was "off to the races", for about 30 feet.

[@timothyturner9134]

Ain’t that Illegal?

[@pikeyboyfoo]

Very!

[@EvilWizardWeedSheeee]

Rig Ive beeb using lately is a small bullet weight with a free floating bead followed by a small egg weight followed by a bead tied in place, then a foot or two of line connected to a steel leader with a built in swivel and then I either add my circle hook or a dip bait rig. Seems to be working pretty well I usually just tie weights on and have good luck but Ive noticed lately during fall theyve been picking up my bait and dropping it and leaving it so I switched it up so that when they pick up the bait the line just slides right through the weights so the fish dont feel any tension and that has made a noticeable difference

[@Brunnen_Gee]

I had to come up with my own rig for where I fish. There are tons of pretty big bullheads here, and if I have _any_ slack in the line, like with a Carolina rig, they gut hook themselves all the time, even with circle hooks. On top of that, if I put a hook on the bottom here, chances are I'm not getting it back. What I came up with is a dropper loop with a peg float over it, to make sure the hook stays elevated. Sort of imitating suspended fishing. Sinker, hook 6-12" over that, float about a foot over that, all on the leader. Then keep as much tension on the line as possible. I found that this way the channels and bullheads tend to hook themselves right away on the initial hit, and it totally eliminated gut hooking and snagging. So long as you keep that line really tight.

[@katherinelowery7140]

Wish I could see that

[@dirtbiker5863]

Awesome video man. You really know your stuff. Thanks!

[@davidm6256]

Great information DM, that’s all I do is bank fish for catfish, I’m usually using the Carolina rig and my leader line is too long, I’m going to try shorter line and see what happens, like your videos and the information you provide

[@chrisfultz1528]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, going to have to give that a try 🎣🎣

[@Scumfrog74]

You can pick your weight on a Carolina rig by using to rubber bobber stops above your weight. It will keep it from moving up your line when you cast

[@emmett841]

with a circle hook the line is outside the mouth if its hooked right isnt it so the mouth abrasion on the line should not be a issue

[@brianangulo8705]

Utah native, I use the Carolina Rig very often and hit my Trout limit whenever I go out. Catfishing here isn’t as prevalent as in the south, but the Carolina Rig works well in most of our bodies of water. Willard bay is snag City tho lmaooo

[@jeffreyneely9283]

Thanks Dieter ,great info ,your info is appreciated.

[@kaelsaxe]

I'm fishing from the bank and have encountered what for me is a monster cat ... this thing's snapped my 10 lb line like it was nothing and bit through my 25 lb line at the end of my last attempt at getting it. It's actually in fairly shallow water (just a few feet deep) and not far from the bank, but while there are only a few fallen trees showing above water, there appear to be a lot of hang up spots underneath, and it seems to know all of them! Me and some of the other guys out there who have tried to catch this thing have named it Godzilla, as all we've managed to see so far is a tailfin (which was bigger than some of the catfish I've reeled in there). I've been trying a combo of circle and octopus hooks ... the bait and the hook don't seem to be a problem, but the line seems to be my hang up. I'm guessing this might be @ a 30 lber which wouldn't be a monster for some of you, but out here (and for me) it is!

[@MikeCostelloOutdoors]

That’s great advice sir. I never thought of putting the sinker that close to the hook. I’m definitely gonna try it out.

[@kencleg7721]

First I herd it called a knocker my friend uses this and it works never thought the weight that close would work it does I usually about 12” or less if kive I’ll run 18” give the bait some room

[@FinkeFishing]

The 2nd one might work good as a bank santee rig since the weight would prevent the float from coming to the surface and since the weight would rest next to the float when casting it might reduce tangles

[@twistededits_0]

This is really helpful because im going catfishing tomorrow

[@Sidenotch44]

The best rig for bank fishing is a reverse dropper loop 🎣 Wait on the loop hook on the tag end 👍🎣

[@DieterMelhorn]

Never tried it….

[@Sidenotch44]

@DieterMelhorn really you being a pro you should know that one hell that's protocol man. Especially deep sea fishing especially bottom fishing

[@Thomas_Jefferson_420]

You're channel is so informative. Thank you

[@DieterMelhorn]

Thank you for watching sir and for commenting!!!

[@paprecisiontv1635]

Maybe a silly question new to catfishing but could you just use am FG knot from braid main line to mono leader with the egg sinker still on main line with a bead so the sinker doesnt slip over the knot

[@Profit31088]

I always use those double hook Kentucky rigs when fishing from the bank

[@mattc6015]

I either flat line my baits (no weights or anything just a hook) or I fish a Carolina rig

[@FixItWithFishin]

Carolina rig good for damn near everything. Bass, catfish, snapper, shark, sturgeon, even get me some steelhead here n there on the ol carolina rig!

[@mattc6015]

@@FixItWithFishin best rig ever invented can literally be used for any bait or soft plastic

[@lennyboy57]

New to fishing . I have seen a rig which seems to have a spinning plastic divice on it . What is this called

[@cjr4497]

When I fish from the bank, I forgot all the fancy crap. I tie a double overhand knot with a decent sized loop on the bottom that I can girth hitch my weight onto. I do the same about 10 in above it and girth hitch my hook through that loop. Both knots are extremely strong and your bait stays off the bottom. I caught a 65 lb blue from the bank on 20 lb test with this rig. The only time I use Carolina rigs is when I want to suspend something out of the boat or when I'm trying to catch a gou.

[@jamzzzjamzzz4805]

IM NEW TO CATFISHING AND IM SOAKING EVERYTHING UP, I REALLLY HOPE FOR A GOOD RESULTS

[@chuckfinley3152]

I’ve caught everything on a Carolina rig, blue cats, channel cats, bluegill, red drum, black sea bass, hell I caught a puffer fish with a Carolina rig lol

[@blunderinggeezer6319]

Would dipsey weights work? I have a pile of them collecting dust and am looking for a way to use them.

[@ninjakawasaki1972]

Whats a good bank fishing rig for catching striper at highland reservoirs like lake lanier and richard b russell

[@nolymitful]

If my leader line is 20-30lbs how much should my main line be

[@HOBFMS]

Wouldn’t a weight stopper prevent the lost casting distance?

[@buckbusteroutdoors4531]

Great information that I was looking for- Thanks!!!!

[@BradleyN-fc4ij]

What if you don’t use leader line

[@roosterliljestrand3662]

What size leader on carolina rig for bank fishing and what about adding beads or lindy floats to it im on medium size river with moderate to strong current

[@DieterMelhorn]

30# for channel cat only areas and 50# for blue / Flathead areas

[@roosterliljestrand3662]

Thank you

[@pedrocruz4710]

Good info Dieter!

[@ejrc314]

Best hook for live night crawlers for catfish??

[@egschreib4795]

What do you think of using the Santee-Rig from the bank? Especially in small slimy bottom ponds.

[@larrypastrana716]

I have a question, what lb should the main line be ?

[@huntergarbes634]

usually use 10 pound monofilament or four carbon and I usually catch 10 15 pound fish on it because I take my time and fight the fish and and tires out you don’t need to get expensive. You coach him when I started. I just use the $10 zeb Code

[@rusticoutdoors]

You can get great distance useing a 3 way swivel set up

[@gino55yo]

Hello Sir, can I use this rig to fish from the beach or the rocks effectively?

[@mrstoneybrew]

What are those pole holders?

[@tavynspringston420]

I like to use a three way rig so I don’t gotta buy as many sinkers. 😂 I usually just tie a rock on there with some light line so it’ll break off easy.

[@katherinelowery7140]

Oh, a free rock?? Duh great tip.😄😄

[@tavynspringston420]

@@katherinelowery7140 don’t hate it until you’ve tried it 😂

[@stevenfreeman7082]

I’m using circle hooks for the first time this yr, after yrs of using j hooks, my question is what is the drag typically set at?

[@DieterMelhorn]

mine is around 8#

[@stevenfreeman7082]

@@DieterMelhorn Thank you

[@shawnkenyon9774]

Very helpful and informative

[@LifewithJames]

Dieter, I have a question for you. How do you keep your bottom fishing rigs from snagging and breaking when fishing rivers and creeks where the water is dark & muddy? I lost two hooks and swivels yesterday when fishing a big river and when it happened I wasn’t super close to the bank. How do you avoid underwater limbs and logs when you can’t see them? If you catch on one, is there any way to possibly free your setup and not lose your gear? I grew up Just fishing with a bobber and hook, with a small weight above the hook to keep the bait down and all the rig setups are foreign to me still.

[@kencleg7721]

Skidding bobber a king one prevents snags in the rock u can adjust depth when u reel in the line gots up then across the top u can make them out of dowels Works great at Dams and spillways

[@Letsroll000]

Newbie for this style of fishing here. But what is the purpose of the slider weight on the fish finder rig vs a stationary weight?

[@maxmccullough8548]

Lets the fish run a little of take the bait before they feel resistnce. Lets lve bait move around more.

[@macatac696]

What size hook for about 3# cats? Fishing a small lake.

[@DieterMelhorn]

2/0 -3/0 is perfect!!

[@cowboye1]

thank you, great info

[@ftlitos3943]

Hey there I have a question what size octopus hooks do you use?

[@DieterMelhorn]

For catfish, mainly 5/0 & 8/0, but if I’m running small baits for channels I will step down to 2/0

[@ftlitos3943]

@@DieterMelhorn alrighty thanks

[@SizeMattersCatfishing]

Nice video Dieter 👊🏻💥🎣🐽

[@withdrawsweatbalance00]

in my opinion you should put a bead between the sinker and any knot because it ruins the knot

[@anthonyqueen7198]

I use a form of drop shot for my cat fish

[@douglastucker5571]

Where are you fishing out of

[@rectorkirk1158]

Got tired of using baitcaster reels casting heavy weights. The paul on the level wined wears out at just the wrong time. Went to pen saltwater spinning reals and rods.

[@christianhair9216]

this was helpful

[@dylanwhitfield6517]

Just so you know, braid works fine for leader, I don't really use leaders, I just tie hook and weight to main line, but I've never broke off from a fish

[@dehjhunaeday5743]

I never been fishing I want to catch fish so bad! I want to gut it and everything

[@DomBogey94]

For bluecats, what pound test would you reccomend for main line? I understand 50/60lb for leader but what about main line? Is 20lb good? Or that too light?

[@DieterMelhorn]

20# is fine, I run 30#….

[@PolarBearXx]

Show us to tie a knot on the swivel

[@want2boutdoors274]

What not floats or any other contraptions everyone uses 😂.

[@rexwright2386]

In ohio we are London 3 pole a long the bank

[@MrLadysman333]

Best rig is the breakaway rig

[@stevenhunt933]

👍😎

[@haroldcale4767]

Apartment living no boat or kayak bank fishing only. LOL.

[@Mr.Karter-ux7vm]

Facts. Good luck to ya

[@mch.l.trecords9169]

Actually a fish finder rig is different from a Carolina rig a fish finder rig uses a sinker slider that you attach a sinker to. A Carolina rig aka a slip sinker rig uses an egg sinker that the line passes through. I've been fishing for 25 years but I would assume that someone that's been fishing longer than me would know this already.

[@royschlickeisen2539]

👍👍👍👍👍🎣

[@alexandredobaria9553]

🐟🎣👍👌😃👋

[@WiredForFishing]

In the event, you were using an improved clinch knot with a braid mainline you’re knots will never hold