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Rigs & Knots · Guide

Fish Finder Rig: How to Tie a Slip Sinker Bottom Rig

What a fish finder rig is, how to tie it with an egg sinker, swivel and leader, and the sinker weight, leader length and hook sizes from agency examples.

Wade CallahanPublished Oct 26, 2026 · Updated Oct 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Illustration of a fish finder rig: an egg sinker sliding on the line above a swivel, a leader and a hook
Photo: How To Go Fishing, Original
Fish finder rigMain line; Egg sinker about 1/2 oz or more; Barrel swivel sinker slides to it; Leader 12–18 in; Hook no. 2 or 4 baitholderMain lineEgg sinkerabout 1/2 oz or moreBarrel swivelsinker slides to itLeader12–18 inHookno. 2 or 4 baitholder
Arkansas's example for drum: egg sinker about 1/2 oz or larger depending on current, leader about 12 in, no. 2 or 4 baitholder hook. New York's bottom rig diagram shows a 12–18 in leader. · Source: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission; New York State DEC

How to tie it

Florida’s supplies list is fishing line, leader, egg sinker, swivel, hook and bait.

  1. Slide an egg sinker onto the line. It will slide freely on the main line.
  2. Tie on a swivel. Use an improved clinch or uni knot (FWC). Arkansas says the barrel swivel lets the sinker slide freely up and down the main line. See fishing knots.
  3. Tie the leader to the other eye of the swivel. Arkansas uses a monofilament leader of about 12 inches; New York’s diagram shows 12 to 18 inches.
  4. Tie the hook on the end of the leader. Baitholder hooks in no. 2 or 4, or a light wire no. 1 circle hook with a wide bend (Arkansas).

Why it works

Alabama says the slip sinker rig lets a fish pick up the bait and swim away without feeling the weight, and Iowa says the same for catfish. Arkansas sizes the egg sinker to the current: about 1/2 ounce or larger. With a circle hook, don’t set the hook sharply; tighten the slack and let the pressure drive the hook into the corner of the mouth (Arkansas).

The Carolina rig uses the same sliding sinker and swivel with a bead as a stopper. For catfish uses, see catfish rigs. Florida’s bottom-surf rig is a different layout: a short leader on one eye of a three-way swivel carrying a pyramid sinker, with the bait suspended just over the bottom.

Sources

  1. Rigging and fishing basics (learn-to-fish guide, PDF), New York State DEC
  2. Fishing Lines magazine, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  3. Drumming up spring fishing excitement, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
  4. Channel catfish, Iowa DNR
  5. Basic fishing tips (PDF), Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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