Rigs

Check out what set-ups are used Locally

The following illustrations will show you several ways how to target the different species of fish according to bottom composition and other environmental conditions.

There are two main groups of rigs; bottom rigs and float rigs. Notice that the use of a rig is specific for the location and bottom composition (rocks, weeds, sand, ect).

Fishing in Malta

When the bottom is a mixture of rock and weed it is best to use a paternoster rig with the branch line/s above sinker and this is for two main reasons:

1) it keeps the bait in the feeding area , "striking zone", preventing it from being covered or stuck to the weeds or other snags on the bottom ,

2) you can detect the fish biting before it will have time to snag you to the bottom. This is a common defense mechanism when fish feel the hook as they take the bait.

The feeding habits of fish also vary from one place to another. While in rocky areas the best striking zone is just a few inches off the bottom, on a sandy bottom the fish are used to dig in the sand or mud in search of nutrition worms and shrimps. By stating this you will conclude that the best rig to use in this case is the running ledger rig or a paternoster rig with a long trace line below the sinker, in this way the bait will be presented in the most natural way possible.

Fishing in Malta

Fishing in Malta

Fishing in Malta

All of these rigs are subject to variations. The weights, hooks, branch lines and floats will have to be adjusted according to the bait, species of fish and fishing conditions you will encounter.