How to Tie A Pompano Rig For Surf Fishing (Catches Pompano, Whiting, Black Drum & More)

In this video, I'm going to show you how to tie my favorite surf fishing rig - the pompano rig.
Although many people call it by this name, you might have also heard it called:
- chicken rig
- spot rig
- mullet rig
- three float hook rig
And it doesn't just catch pompano - I've caught sharks, whiting, black drum, and other species using it.
Of course, you could buy it from the store for about $3-4, but it's really easy to make yourself and save some money.
Plus, the way I'll show you to tie it also gives you some options to customize it depending on where you're fishing, or what species you're targeting.
Learn how to tie the pompano rig in this video.
Have any questions about tying this rig?
What's your favorite surf fishing rig?
Let me know in the comments below.
See the steps to this rig written out here: bit.ly/2Uw2cT0
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[@Saltstrong]

To get our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3fg7w4H

[@joenapier9758]

Hey all, I was wondering if you had any ideas for better floats, when I make this rig setup I have to use 2 floats because it still lays on the bottom of the sink when put it down in the water..

[@jackchn23]

Pro tip: stick a toothpick into the end of the float and snap it off the tip (slide float and bead to the hook first). This causes the float to bind on the line and stay near the hook, instead of sliding back towards the mainline.

[@trini4life319]

I use the soft earplugs to màke the float. And sometime I put the earplugs in the fish scent to make it more attractive haha. I works great. Great content.

[@edwardvoluntad138]

Nice share!

[@sergiofelix46]

I'm going to try the wine corks.... wish me luck

[@roardinoson7]

great tips

[@chuckfinley3152]

Genius

[@Peregrine151]

Thank you so much! I've been going to OBX for over 10 years - my once a year surf fishing trip. I've been using those metal ones you get at the tackle shops. But after watching your video, I decided to make my own. WOW, they worked great! And I made my own 'Flip Flop Floats' (say that fast 3 times!) using your other video. Along with the first time using 1/0 in-line circle hooks, I caught red and black drum, whiting a lots of pompano - on the sound and ocean sides. Thank you so much...I really appreciate your videos!!!

[@jacknick429]

EXCELLENT VIDEO !!! Well Done!!! Your “quick knot” that you use to attach your floats, beads finally your hook is also known as a “Lark’s Head” - one of my faves and easy to do - thanks for posting this well produced video !!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@scot7619]

Thanks for the brush-up before hitting the surf this weekend, Wyatt!

[@SaltLifeGeo]

Thank you sir , I appreciate your time and showing us how to make the rig.

[@thetruthgodcountry5052]

This is a great video. Decent pompano rigs are running $3.99 at the local tackle shop, and the .99 cent rigs at Wally World are trash. Now I can make some nice ones myself for that same dollar using quality hooks and swivels. Thanks for all that you guys do!!!!

[@cantho11]

Man your instructions is very clear. I love it

[@daleknisely6890]

thank you! Being a beginner, you make learning you make it easy.

[@FireSlayer85]

Awesome video. Detailed and simple

[@tonydancz6789]

Thanks I wasn’t sure how to tie a pompano rig thank you pretty easy 🇺🇸👍

[@786fantastic]

Watching from South Africa. Excellent video

[@Vo2MaxRun]

Thanks so much for this simple but great video on tying Pompano Rigs!

[@Saltstrong]

Glad that you found the video helpful Fred! We appreciate the support! 💪

[@yourademshin3182]

Thank You very much for this very informative video! Absolutely Great !

[@lautarosolissalazar1190]

When this covid-19 is gone, I'm gonna try this fishing set up for sure! 🎣😎👌 ...greetings from Melipilla in Chile!!!

[@AnthonyCZeccaSr]

Excellent vid. Thank you!

[@thangdinh2012]

Very helpful. Thank you bro.

[@Elliot1949]

Excellent video!!

[@fishfishe6496]

Thank you for the tip! Could you do a review of the Zman swimming trout trick swimbait?

[@johngazo8185]

Best video on po. Pano rigs! Thank you!

[@surenbhola107]

Awesome tutorial thnx buddy

[@us-eb3info79]

Awesome rig thanks

[@Gypsyboy932]

Thanks! Great video.

[@amysandstrom660]

Thanks for the informative and easy to understand video. Planning on making a few to prepare for the Pomp run late fall in Texas.

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richardgreene5119]

Excellent presentation with no words minced! Thank you, Mr. Wyatt. You could very well be a long-standing winning jockey in the Kentucky Derby given your fortitude, absolute urgency of message & precision of technique! WELL DONE!!!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed the information!

[@craigthompson1431]

Great video good points for someone new to saltwater fishing I been wanting to get pompano that's my target fish I havent caught before. Nice channel new sub here

[@kingrileyp.i.4749]

Good stuff. Thank you

[@keith2198]

Thanx for the lesson. I have done 5 now for our beach trip.

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome! Have a great trip!

[@vakennels]

Great video thanks for sharing.

[@MrHjgottesman]

One of the better videos I have seen. Very good presentation

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@d1_rog3r97]

Great video💯💯💯🔥🔥

[@nofish5966]

15 people didn't like this video?? What was there not to like? Great video. Appreciate it.

[@roneckler9937]

Those are the posers trying to capitalize on salt strongs success. Likes and dislikes are like a point system here. The more likes the more points you get for recognition through youtube, but dislikes takes from your channel. KZbin likes channels that get lots of likes because they are more likely to make more money off a channel with more likes than with dislikes.

[@tabcradio3468]

Great Video Thanks for all you do!

[@Saltstrong]

Welcome! Thanks for the support!

[@tangoedwards2087]

Damn good video brother. God bless!

[@bksrecang1413]

I learned something new Thank You!

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marcosgonzalez6545]

Great content

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@Pondhopperfishing69]

Best tutorial I’ve ever watched no joke

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@bobp5523]

Really nice.

[@adonissalgado7443]

Nice video...Hey what size circle hook do u recommend for this rig

[@benjaminbustamante4836]

Fantastic content!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@tomvilay1187]

Time to catch some pompano, thank you for shearing

[@eduartdelli5897]

Thanks so much!!!

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome!

[@salvisdx]

Nice vide man

[@Bobb1julie]

A great toutorial Wyatt ..THANK YOU!! I’m going to trade you a tip for a tip .. I purchased flip flops yesterday. I’m going to use my battery power drill with either a 1/4”dia or 5/8” dia stainless steel rod 2” long . The secret here is to champher(bevel) both ends so that they are cutters . Bevel both ends for longevity. Now engage one end of the shaft inside the chuck and now you can cut your flip flops very quick and clean .. No hammering. Lindy right for my floats ? Have a Pompano on me . Tight lines and be safe .

[@larry2210]

Thank you thank you we got any more like that good job

[@avocado9763]

Outstanding

[@dominickcapito4420]

Awesome thanks

[@derrickfair5427]

thanks for the tips I have been a fresh water fisherman for years and I am moving to Florida soon and need all the tips i can get to start my salt water fishing thanks again the rookie lol

[@Saltstrong]

Glad to help!

[@craftyfingertips2272]

Thank for the tutorial

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome!

[@amblo51]

Glad to see y’all adding surf fishing to the mix. What do you poke the holes with in the flip flop floats? Thank you!

[@Bobb1julie]

Take a 1/32” dia drill bit with a piece of wood under .

[@ek5419]

Well done.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@iancaen2977]

FWIW I fish one hook rigs, tied much the same way...I have seen too many folks impaled by "free swinging" hooks when you're trying to unhook a fish on a double hook rig, much less the danger of 2 extra hooks. JMHO, of course.

[@robsx4280]

Excellent thank you

[@Saltstrong]

You are very welcome!

[@glennunderwood4690]

Orange bead ...good idea

[@Goooog237]

Thank you!

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome!

[@billymcdaniel4855]

What would be you're opinion the best way to store these tangle free?

[@ryancurtis822]

Will a blue foam flip flop work for color on the float with an orange bead?

[@jelly_fishing]

Awesome video - question would you recommend to use this rig from a bridge or pier?

[@juulsinc1035]

yes

[@sseghini1]

Also, many anglers talk about Sputnik weights, what are your thoughts on them?

[@PremPandit-pg6lo]

What bite use this rib it is useful for river fishing

[@Saltstrong]

Sure can be!

[@p.w.7051]

Any advantage to using the snap swivel to secure the sinker over what I do when making any bottom rigs, just tie a loop with a surgeon's knot to slip through the eye and over the sinker? Always trying to save some money.

[@calebdrake3544]

Ease of changing weights without cutting the rig each time I'd think

[@p.w.7051]

@@calebdrake3544 Yep, but I can do that with a surgeon's loop/knot too.

[@derrickwyle7064]

I'm with you p.w. I start with a big enough surgeon that I can quick change the lead and if I lose the whole rig at least I didn't lose a snap swivel for no reason with it. I have seen another video where they run a separate piece of line off the bottom of the rig for the weight. Basically, if you have a 30lb leader you mix in a small piece of 20lb leader just for the sinker. So if your sinker gets snagged and you have to break off you just lose the sinker and not the whole rig. Kind of like an intentional "weakest link"

[@therhino9661]

Another fantastic video presentation. In regards to the weight you used, as I have never done any kind of surh fishing, how heavy do you use please? I've just been given an awesome reply to a posting I made within the Salt Strong Community, and the gentleman recoomended getting some pompano rigs, and going off Playlinda beach here in Florida. Thanks again for another enlightening video

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@richnet12]

thanks…. followed your lead, created the perfect pomp rig and caught a hardhead…lol

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the support!

[@jeffrysechler3657]

Is this rig primarily used on the East Coast? I have the opportunity to surf fish on the West Coast each summer. I live in Utah and and learning more about surf fishing. Thanks for your time.

[@calebdrake3544]

As I understand it, this more for the gulf coast area...east coast doesn't use floats(well, sometimes they do but their weight is towards the braid/leader joint unlike the weight at the end for this setup)

[@saltwaterinmyveins]

The floats are a game changer! 90% drop in hardhead catfish and sting ray catches. I've caught most all species on this rig.

[@lifjimbo7251]

Can you explain the science behind that? I catch a LOT of hardheads and dont run floats, so this is super interesting to hear

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Those species mentioned hunt by feel with whiskers etc off bottom and what's buried in the sand....with the bait up off the bottom they don't notice as much and the target species do

[@brendabass8966]

Great video! Very informative. What pyramid weight size would you recommend when using a pompano rig for whiting? Surf fishing

[@PompanoBrownie]

Brenda, a lot of that depends on how windy it is but a 4 ounce sinker is a good place to start.

[@djdedeo0]

Wind and current dictate

[@lifjimbo7251]

3oz if it’s really calm, up to 6oz if it’s really rough, I normally default to 4oz

[@TacticalFishermen]

What type of reel should I use? A normal 3500 series reel? Or a shark reel that is 7500 series?

[@sebastianluncasu48]

Where are you buying those hooks?

[@A13RAM]

Cool video bro. But what main line do you use on your pole?

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@TheDevilguy04]

Can any color of float be used?

[@peterr7437]

what bait would you use on these ,lug or rag maybe,squid bits

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the question! You can comment directly on our blog to have our team and coaches respond directly. You can find it here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/pompano-rig/.

[@celinalopezalegria7135]

Can you catch red fish and sea trout on the pompano rig

[@sifi1x242]

You can catch trout with it yesterday i went fishing with the pompano rig and caught some trout

[@socalob]

I got some 135lb test surf strand wire on clearance for a dollar. Is this overkill for this setup or can I use it in making some good rigs?

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our coaches can respond back directly with their input and recommendation. You can find that here: bit.ly/2Uw2cT0

[@johneyler8247]

Great video! Looking forward to trying this out next time I hit the surf.. one note though, your using the mic wrong. You are talking into the “top” and you need to be talking into the “front” where your mute button and headphone volume control is.

[@Saltstrong]

Good to know!

[@therookiefisherman5234]

I have made these rigs and they work well but they tangle up pretty bad when I store them in ziplock bags do you have a certain way to store them?

[@harrison9972]

That video shows how he dose it, best idea I’ve seen

[@MNBDH34]

Cut 2” sections of pool noodle. Wrap it around and put it in a small baggie

[@White_Tiger93]

can you make a guide on how to cast live bait through surf fishing? you know where you use live shrimp or mullet and then cast it out far far away into the ocean without killing the live bait??

[@Funckinnutcase]

Or even worse, trying to fling 4-6 oz. of lead a hundred yards, without flinging your bait completely off! 😅

[@Florida_Man_Robb]

Do you need a leader or can you tie that barrel swivel direct to braid?

[@mojobudgiekayakfishing]

yea you can tie the barrel to the mainline braid but I like to use a barrel swivel clip tied to my main braid line- so I can switch out rigs super quick when they break or want to try a different rig/presentation

[@redwood1957]

How do you store this for travel in tackle box thank you

[@philipr.6090]

Not sure about other folks, but I coil my rigs up and place them in ziplock sandwich bags, then label the bag as to which type of rig it is.

[@erockscott1184]

How high off the bottom do these floats keep the bait off the bottom? I'd like to see a rig under water to get a better picture

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the question! Please visit the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our Coaches can respond directly with their thoughts. You can find that here: bit.ly/2Uw2cT0

[@jamesbarker9895]

Prob a stupid question, but what do you bait those hooks with?

[@Saltstrong]

Bait would depend on what you're trying to catch!

[@stevencooper5283]

Are rigs such as this reusable or do I need to tie each time?

[@brucestanton2879]

Totally reusable. If you want it off your pole just cut line above swivel. Store it however convenient. Take hooks off if you want. The leader line rig can be reused as long as in tact ya know.

[@glenthomasrealtor6223]

Does it make a difference if the hooks are facing up or down?

[@Saltstrong]

Great question! Make sure to ask this over in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time.

[@ethanliu122]

does the bead matter if its glass or squishy?

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our coaches can respond back directly with their input and recommendation. You can find that here: bit.ly/2Uw2cT0

[@dgriffin6074]

When I try to close the loop with my mouth, my dentures fall on my workbench! Will s piece of pool noodle work as a float?

[@dirkdiggler2430]

What is i make each hook line a bit bigger than the next, that way they float at different heights?

[@Saltstrong]

See the steps to this rig written out here: bit.ly/2Uw2cT0 Thanks for checking it out!

[@rolandcaldwell1824]

I use ear plugs for the floats. Work great

[@labamba282]

👍👍👍

[@georgeiannetta7549]

I have had that knot you use for the snap and barrel fail on me. like the rig just not the knots.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@samijust8689]

Is this rig (for pompano) prohibited in Florida? FWC: “Prohibited Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited“

[@cullendonaldson9303]

Bro I’m just a once a year gulf fisherman , but couldn’t I just add a float to a sabiki rig ? Like thread it out through the hook ?

[@Saltstrong]

That should work! Give it a try and let us know!

[@hcv8154]

Great video. Do you use it as it is or add bait?

[@haulinhogs1457]

What size and brand of hooks are you using.

[@Saltstrong]

See the steps to this rig written out here: bit.ly/2Uw2cT0

[@cullendonaldson9303]

Don’t get me wrong I’m definitely gunna make these

[@Saltstrong]

Let us know how it goes!

[@sseghini1]

Most “off the shelf” rigs are only 2 hooks. Is there a reason you use three? Seems like a rig that long would be more difficult to cast.

[@ariprasetya4405]

can you tell me the function of float? why do you have to use float? because in Indonesia we don't use floats.

[@Saltstrong]

It keeps your bait a bit higher in the water column where the fish are biting. You can control the depths you're fishing

[@supershaggyx3]

I was just tryna make a homemade pompano rig Saturday but my brother rushing me to go fishing I ended up making the rig with out floats

[@Saltstrong]

Did you catch anything??

[@supershaggyx3]

@Salt Strong oh yeah started out with a sting ray on that leader. then three spots and like 12 whiting and even got scared because I was tryna check the cut bait on a different pole since the line was runing then the unfinished pompano rig pole omost went over board 🤣caught it while still had the over pole in my hand. 🤣 decided to reel the pompano pole up because it was pulling hard. lmao was a 20in bonnet ate one of my shrimp. then I reel my shark pole up and there was a baby shark smaller then the live bait I put on the hook

[@thomashughes8634]

Can you link the flip flops you use

[@andymeresse6930]

It was mentioned in the last video about cheap rig hacks. They are flip flops from the local dollar store.

[@thomasbrown6685]

Bought some at local Wal-Mart for 98 cents a pair.

[@thomashughes8634]

Thanks Thomas

[@thomasbrown6685]

You can also go to harbor freight and buy a hollow punch for a few bucks. Chuck it in any drill and cut out snell floats to your heart’s content. Much faster and cleaner than punching them out with hammer and die

[@mikebrechtelsbauer3430]

try foam ear plugs

[@UKBLUE1]

Aren't those hooks easy too big for pompano?

[@Saltstrong]

That's about what you would want to use to target these fish!

[@UKBLUE1]

@Saltstrong thanks, I'm going up to Santa Rosa bch next week to give it a try.

[@redklockranch1956]

My wife is artsy-fartsy. So... I spend a lot of time in Dollar Trees. Been on a world tour a few times, too... In the craft area, they have painted wooden beeds, oval and thin. These puppies float and the are degradable... Also, they have all kinds of plastic beeds in all kinds of colors and sizes in the same area. Check out the cat food area for chum... Hey, I'm cheap and fish don't care.

[@Saltstrong]

Sounds like a good tip!