*Santee Rig* - The *Santee Cooper Rig* For Catfishing

[@larryparker6341]

I'm a beginning fisherman and really like the way you explain the concepts in all of your videos. Thanks a million.

[@Catfishedge]

+Larry Parker Thanks!

[@kdhartman44]

I have just started using this rig and I am convinced it is the reason I am catching more fish. The strikes are much more aggressive as stated. Also it doesn't seem to be taking so long for the fish to find the bait either. Thank you so much for this video!!

[@Catfishedge]

Awesome! Thanks! Send us some photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! We'd love to see.

[@tc96z1]

“Yer gonna find that magic number (leader length) and it’s gonna change every day. Now that’s pure wisdom!

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@denisebarnett7500]

You are the only one to make it where I understand the hows and why

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@billythesunbeltsamurainapi3670]

Most knowledgeable cat fisherman I know love your videos and advice chad you're a lifesaver

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@clcrews32]

i used this rig for the first time this weekend and it works awsome caught some nice fish from 10 -30 lbs

[@rogerstoll460]

Very good job of tell us how it work, I been using a Double drop rig with on bottom, but I just rig my line with Santee rig. I like the way you went in to detail about everything. Thanks and good luck.

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks 👍

[@308sir]

@@Catfishedge what if your using heavy chicken cut bait wont it pervent the bobber to lift the bait up

[@dougiemac8417]

Great tutorial. I'm going catfishing in the morning. I'll try a Santee rig for the first time.

[@rippstam]

Very helpful, not just how to set it up, but why it is that way and how to adjust to make it better.

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@dadg619]

Good tutorial.Very well explained.

[@TheJuggalotommy]

I really enjoy learning from you Craig..I've been catfishing for years and learned alot in a short amount of time from you... thank you so much. Going to use this rig tomorrow and probably from here on out

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks, Chad

[@Naturflage1]

I think this is a great rig! I have always used a slip sinker rig where the bait is on the bottom. Makes sense to float the bait up, making it more visible for the fish. Great video! I will use this rig,. I am going to Lake Marion on Santee Cooper in March, and I will definitely rig it this way, as I prefer drift fishing, I really like your instructional vids!

[@AffiliateMarketingMatrix]

Thx man! Used this rig today and caught myself a catfish!! pretty stoked cos conditions were pretty average so awesome to get results Tied up my nephew the same rig cos he saw me catch. And he caught a whiting! Epic lol. You gotta fan. Cheers man

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@fuerstmetternich5935]

i used to fish with a similar rig like this in salt water, with the float pegged about half an arm's length from the hook, with a long leader and a pyramid sinker on a T rig(sliding)...it kept the live bait away from the sea weed and in the view of the fish...i liked it.....

[@PANACEA420CANABIS]

the santee cooper & Kentucky rigs have been my go to cat fish set ups for cut bait , live bait & sponge bait . santee cooper rigs are very popular here at lake marion Sc. for slow troll , drift and or anchor fishing , its been a versatile set up . the Kentucky rigs have been most effective for anchor (stationery) fishing , with a 2oz bell sinker at the end and two drop shot lines above it at 6 & 12in. ... Happy Trails & God bless , don't pollute ..

[@shawnprivate5322]

Why,u pollute when u start a vehicle, electric or fuel,send trash out,smoke,dip,drink soda,use cottons and dont recycle until it all decays...So 😊stand on your own BS

[@wapsifisher]

You have put together some very good videos I'm checking them out while its snowing. Thanks

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks! Stay warm!

[@SobeHall]

Good video. I usually put the weight at the end of the line with a leader off the side above the weight ... don't have to worry about the cork if it's drifting properly with the right weight ..

[@ohdeergod]

Used this rig recently in deep water (40ft) did pretty well. Lake was rough so we were putting out a LOT of line to try and help keep the bait from bouncing around too much, 300ft plus. Cold front had moved through the night before so the bite was slow but we did catch some good fish in the 20lb range Using cut bar fish (yellow bass) for bait.

[@owenmiller8637]

Great Video. Thanks for breaking it down so it was easy to understand!

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@308sir]

@@Catfishedge how can I make this rig effective for steelhead and salmon what do you recommend? If posible

[@bearmadinger4473]

I appreciate all your help Chad.. do you have any advice on shore fishing? I'm to broke to have a boat bahahaha

[@showstopper7881]

thanks for the rig tips

[@Catfishedge]

You're welcome.

[@jurassiclizzard]

I'm going to try this rig at one of my favorite local lakes. I haven't had much luck with cats there mostly because crayfish quickly grab the bait and pull it under rocks or holes in the mud almost anywhere throughout the lake. I fish from shore and it's often very windy so I don't prefer using float rigs for cats. I think this rig may have the potential to solve my problem with crawdads. Thanks, we'll see how it goes.

[@Catfishedge]

jurassiclizzard Thanks

[@MyBallsUrJaws]

jurassiclizzard use live bait

[@RamonLerma]

thanks for the video very informative. I try the santee rig on my next fishing trip.

[@chriswalls5831]

Good info I used something similar to this with s hook 2 or 3 ft up and tie my weight on bottom.

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks

[@SalineScott]

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try this out.

[@geraldlathan2355]

Use it all the time. Good video

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks 👍

[@davidhefner5668]

The float will head right to the surface as it pulls the line through the sliding weight. There needs to be a line stop before the weight.

[@Catfishedge]

Not at all.

[@nolitotagavilla4970]

You can also achieve the same effect by using the modified drop shot rig by tying or tapping your leader above the weight by using a sliding knot. This rig will eliminate the float. I use a 6 inch leader up to 12 inch and you can adjust the depth by sliding your leader up and down the main line.

[@Catfishedge]

Eliminates the ability for the line the slide in the sinker so you can't use bait clickers.

[@america2revolt]

I am going to try this bank fishing on the Arkansas River below the Ozark Lock and Dam.

[@Catfishedge]

Awesome!

[@pprattpratt]

very informative, Thank you very much for these video and insights

[@Catfishedge]

Thanks!

[@edmoss2020]

Thank you for the info.

[@of-Israel]

I also make my leaders minimum of 18 to 42 inches.. where I totally different is if I have a fish graph and I see fish at 6-feet that means I'm in a boat I'm just going to crank up off the bottom about 6 ft and drift through them

[@ulyssesmars9520]

Thanks Chad for the info, gonna be doing some drifting for cats at Little River this Saturday,should eliminate alot of the snags.I would take any suggestions on bait!

[@Catfishedge]

Depends on type of catfish

[@ulyssesmars9520]

Blue cats

[@Catfishedge]

Shad or native bait fish, fresh

[@edwardliverman5238]

Great information

[@nealbassin]

Carolina rigs(slip rigs) are used just as much in bass fishing as they are in catfishing. The only difference is in bass fishing your usually using a 1/2 oz- 1oz tungsten weight for sensitivity and a straight shank, offset, or EWG hook with your favorite soft plastic instead of a circle hook or octopus hook.

[@KEVIN1962KRT]

Great video can you make video on how to use gen 3 lowrance fish finder.

[@Catfishedge]

+Kevin t I run Humminbird electronics.

[@jeffraia7068]

I use this rig from my kayak in the ocean.... I also use a Carolina rig..... I drift both rigs with cut bait, shrimp, and squid....

[@Catfishedge]

Nice

[@williamclark2699]

Great info

[@brianbrown9102]

Great video. Quick question, do you think having the float too close to the hook will reduce hookups due to catfish feeling the float when they take the bait/hook?

[@Catfishedge]

Yea

[@666lordofabyss666]

What would be a good set up to go with/switch easily for going from fishing for cat fish and bass..? Like sinking and floating..?

[@CHECKPLATE]

always used 3way rig with decent luck...but sometimes i wonder how much more effective this rig may be...all those times i missed those hard hits makes me wonder if this would have made the difference?

[@Hon_Doward]

What stops the peg from floating your bait to the top? Since the egg sinker slides onto the line, won't the float take the barrel and the bait to the top?

[@Catfishedge]

No the weight pushes against the swivel and holds it down as long as the line is tight

[@Hon_Doward]

+Catfish Edge got it. Maybe my line wasn't tight enough. I was bank fishing, not drifting. Plus I don't think my weight was heavy enough to begin with. Thanks

[@matthewstoy9040]

I just want want to say thank you for doing what you're doing. I have two questions: 1. My internal radiator doesn't work too well. So I typically only get out to catfish at night. I was thinking about using the Carolina rig, but painting the peg floats with glow-in-the-dark paint or use a little glowstick. Do you think it might help visually attract the catfish towards the float/bait? I know their vision isn't the greatest, but is this something they would be able to see in the dark? 2. I mainly use to fish for flatheads out in Arizona. I typically used a standard bottom rig (egg sinker/2ft leader) with live bluegills. It's been a few years since I've been catfishing because I live in Maine currently. I am going to be down in MD/VA for the whole summer. I was wondering do you think using this kind of rig with a live bluegill; that the float would keep constant tension on the bluegill and keep it from nestling down on the bottom and siting still hiding out. Making it more active and sending out struggling signals? Also do you think a glow in the dark float might help with this too, since flatheads have better vision than blues and channels?

[@Catfishedge]

+Matthew Stoy I wouldn't mess with glow floats or lights. Yes try adding a float and also cut half the tail fin off the bluegill

[@lonesomeroades]

What pound line for main and leader? I use 15 lb on my other right and have no issue of line break. Usely cats are 15 pounds or less.

[@Catfishedge]

I use 20-30 mainline and 50 leader

[@TUKByV1]

Nice! We only have mini-cats here, under 5lbs.

[@LeskoBrandon2x]

Catfish Edge will 10lb braid hold up with a 50lb mono leader? I’m fishing for 5-10 lb cats

[@charlesfelts6838]

Cool thanks

[@SweetBuLivingLife]

It seems like the brightly colored peg float would make the Cats a bit hesitant to go after the bait...is this not the case with the Santee setup?

[@xxxoutdoorsmanxxx]

Catfish can't see in muddy water right. So why does it matter if it is in their line of sight. Channel cats mouths angle down indicating they are bottom feeders. Is this rig for a certain species like flathead or is it good for all catfish? In your experience which have you had more luck with? This rig or the slip sinker rig?

[@billhood3775]

Hey Chad, when using a santee rig, is it not good to use a swivel to the hook to make it easier to change out hook sizes? Thank you.

[@cillosis]

Here in Virginia Beach, VA area I fish a lot of tidal creeks and bays for channel cats and blue cats. There are a lot of crabs that are ALWAYS stealing your cut bait. Do you think this rig will help avoid the crabs any better than a standard slip sinker?

[@TUKByV1]

Good question!

[@MrDaryboy]

I am just starting to get into drifting. How do you use the santee rig for drifting? Do I let it sink to bottom and let bobber suspend bait?

[@mikerotch6733]

I been fishing with this rig for 200,000 years now

[@christopher23.]

Will a weighted peg float work as well?that’s I have for now lol

[@Sploogonurface]

Do you recommend a specific bait? I tend to use liver or live bait. Any pros or cons to either on this rig

[@andrewwatkins7862]

Nice video

[@coolbreezeinkc102]

Cool! But I dont own a boat Can the Sante rig be use bank fishing??

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@sietelenguas]

Hi Chad! Just wondering if this type of rig, would work on a river or a small pond?

[@johndushane2375]

I've used them on pond fishing. It worked good. Helps keep it out of weeds on bottom a little bit

[@hiddenspringknls]

I'm a beginner in catfishing and I'm fishing on a shoreline on a big lake. And I'm just now using the sante rig. You think this would work in my advantage versus having my bait on the bottom? And yes I'm keeping a tight line

[@Catfishedge]

Yes, absolutely

[@chuckandrews]

How far behind the boat do you drift this rig? Or do you drop it straight down from the boat?

[@jameshallay9475]

So it’s a no go for bank fishermen? I don’t do boats but I love to fish lol

[@catfishslayer5452]

Can I use a 4 oz sinker with a 3 inch peg float on the bank and will it work ?

[@curtisfunk2584]

Can I use a three way swivel with a trolling weight ?

[@MegaDanbo]

do you think this rig would work good for drifting or slow trolling for grouper in the gulf?

[@mryorkie]

How does this work on rocky bottom of a lake or River??

[@ronnca1955]

Do catfish get frightened at the peg float?

[@charlesjackson3433]

Chad, I want to use this rig fishing from the bank. I fish a tidal river about an hour before and after high tide, the strong current seems to disappear then. The river has thick vegitation on the bottom. My bait and slip sinker are getting covered up and caught in the vegitation. I think the sauntee cooper rig will suspend my bait above the vegitation and increase my percentages for hook ups. What do you think ? Also, do channel cats and flat heads hunker down in that vegitation or are they normally in the water column above it ?

[@Catfishedge]

Yes and Yes

[@gmar2012ify]

how would u use this rig around rocks and brush piles

[@ulyssesmars9520]

Thank you sir!!

[@TroutWest]

The only thing i see wrong with the graphic, is the bait itself wouldn't float above the float. The bait would hang below the peg float.

[@Catfishedge]

Not always

[@mstyons1010]

Can this rig be used for live sunfish/bream as bait? If not, what is a preferred catfish rig for live bait?

[@Catfishedge]

mstyons1010 Yes

[@robray6977]

On rivers like i fish (Chatahoochee below West Point Dam) you get alot of depth changes. Does this rig help you from getting hung up so much in the rocks or is it just part of it to break off alot when you have rocky bottom? Not real deep. Shallow is 4 feet , deep is only about 17 feet.

[@Catfishedge]

Probably not

[@Catfishedge]

Probably not

[@Catfishedge]

Probably not

[@robertcarver4926]

will a 2in peg float lift a bluegill head or chunk of skipjack off of the bottom?

[@Catfishedge]

Depends on how big

[@abramrodriguez4713]

Will the peg float bring bait all the way to the top of the water?

[@Catfishedge]

Not if you use it correctly.

[@tokay999]

Is this rig good for the pier ? Like ocean fishing. I haven't seen those slip floats at my local walmart, I'll keep looking around my tackle store

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@RedneckR3bel]

Can I use this for bank fishing from a lake with very little current

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@MEANSBC]

When drift fishing for catfish is it best to only drift fish in waters 15-22ft deep because of the thermocline?

[@Catfishedge]

Brant Campbell if there is one present you're usually best to stay above

[@stevebeardshaw4930]

Do you not put a bead on main line between sinker and swivel?

[@Catfishedge]

+steve beards haw Usually, no

[@jordanwhite3796]

Can you use a No-Snag sinker in place of an egg sinker on this rig?

[@Catfishedge]

+Jordan White Yes

[@kern_yak_angler]

What color peg floats do you like to use?

[@Catfishedge]

Doesn’t matter

[@miguelbarrero5572]

Is this Santee Cooper rig good for still water, like a pond or a lake for instance ????

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@miguelbarrero5572]

@@Catfishedgegreat thanks. What size float can lift a shrimp?

[@outlawgaming3452]

I'm using this rig in a Cat tournament in a lake from the bank this weekend.....

[@Catfishedge]

+Garrett Whitt 👍

[@ssjsparrowhawk]

Could i just use a floating jighead?

[@robertjackson323]

Can the santee rig be used successfully bank fisghing

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@freshtosaltfishermen]

just wondering if anybody knows a good rig setup (weights,line,leader,etc) for fishing from the bank for blue and flathead catfish. I have an abu garcia with 65 lb braid. Is that sufficient?

[@riverrat6105]

I like big weights and I can not Lie! Haha. big fan of this rig

[@Catfishedge]

LOL, Thanks

[@JohnJackson-e9z]

I assume a Santee rig is from Santee, AC?

[@damiansmith7786]

Hey chad I've tried using the Santee rig from the bank but the float always gets my leader all tangled up any suggestions

[@Catfishedge]

Damian Smith Shouldn't be happening sounds like you're missing something

[@stephenmannion7544]

Do the floats spook the fish ever?

[@Catfishedge]

Not that I have seen

[@Mrloreto559]

Will this work against fast current?

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@wlllo3496]

good tip!..

[@Catfishedge]

THANKS

[@garymyers3810]

Can this rig be used for bank fishing

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@poemking1]

can this rig be used if i'm bank fishing

[@Catfishedge]

organicfisherman Yes

[@VirantRoss]

Different rig whether ypur anchored, drifting, drifting in canal with current, and speed of current. I used this before and it just was spinning like hell twisted due to current. Ton of factors went unexplained.

[@Catfishedge]

You can add a ball chain swivel if that's an issue.

[@thechristiantrapper3692]

What's leader line and where can I get it?

[@Catfishedge]

Heavier line www.catfishedge.com/catfish-rigs/

[@jay733]

can you use a slip bobber on this rig?

[@Catfishedge]

No

[@mohammadhassan3489]

can i use this method for live bait ?

[@Catfishedge]

Yes

[@mohammadhassan3489]

Catfish Edge thanks

[@whispr5534]

i was just wondering about the fact in other web pages they say catfish are virtually blind and respond to scent

[@Catfishedge]

They see better than people think they do

[@justinsmitley7619]

I don't get it why not just have a 3-way swivel?

[@jamesyang790]

My question is will the float be too strong and float my entire bait too high in the water column. I ask because if we are using a sliding sinker or a fish finder, then there's nothing to stop the line from going up too much. I guess i have to put in another swivel on the rod side of the sinker. Another question is how to make sure a balance is achieved between the float and a heavy bait.

[@Catfishedge]

The float will stop at the length of the leader when there is tension on the line and the swivel pulls against the sinker.

[@tenaciousdan5831]

You should do some microphone reviews

[@Catfishedge]

LOL, not my area of expertise. Sorry

[@tenaciousdan5831]

It was a hint that you need one,or a better one

[@Catfishedge]

This was a very old video.

[@tenaciousdan5831]

@@Catfishedge best video on the santee rig and I couldn't hear you

[@Catfishedge]

Tenacious Dan I have a newer one

[@xxxoutdoorsmanxxx]

Ok, thanks for th info.