Clam Bait Rig

[Capt Kidd]

Hi all,

What would be a good way to setup a clam rig?

Should a "fishfinder" rig be used or another type of rig?

What rig works best for you?

Thanks.

[Red_Cherokee]

I use a fishfinder with a non offset circle hook. Alot of people will use high low rigs or what I think is called a "pompano" rig. I find that the fishfinder with only about 18" of leader won't helicopter as much. Breakaway tackle makes rigs that have clips to center the load.....the clips are supposed to detach upon entry into the water. I haven't used them so I don't know how they are. Hope some of that babble is helpful.

[BostonBoy]

I like a fishfinder with a 6/0 hook...
Welcome to the site, Capt Kidd :wtg:

[Striperjim]

Hi Capt.

I like your signature banner. :wtg:

I use basically the same set up as red does. Shorter leaders and smaller hooks like 5/0s are better for clams than the 7/0s and 36 inch leaders i use for chunking bunker. Since I use the sinker slides my hookups went up significantly, now i make sure i always have one on.

[Capt Kidd]

Thank you all for that useful info.

Fish finder setup it is!

Also, thank you for your greetings and comments. :)

[ferric84]

when you guys rig a fish finder, do you use a float to keep the bait up? I would think the floats would deter fish from biting...

[Striperjim]

I dont like to use floats. The longer leaders present the bait nicely for me. If Im being plaqued by other nuisance fish i either move the bait, move my location or rebait often. But thats just me. :shrug:

[Striper777]

Welcome to the site Capt!!!

I also use a fish finder and a 5/0 hook!

[Sudsy]

Originally Posted by Red_Cherokee

I use a fishfinder with a non offset circle hook. Alot of people will use high low rigs or what I think is called a "pompano" rig. I find that the fishfinder with only about 18" of leader won't helicopter as much. Breakaway tackle makes rigs that have clips to center the load.....the clips are supposed to detach upon entry into the water. I haven't used them so I don't know how they are. Hope some of that babble is helpful.

Yep :wtg:
I did, however, stop tying the low loop and now just go with a high tie. I found that 90% of the bass grab the top hook and 90% of the crabs and skates would grab the bottom hook :roll:
From the top using 40 to 50# flouro - swivel, 12", 6" long twisted dropper loop, 2', surgeons knot loop to attach the sinker. I've had my best hookup ratio with the 10/0 Owner circles.
Also, I always use at least 8 oz of lead, no matter how calm it is. This causes the fish to hook itself on an incoming hit as well as a going away hit. Nothing worse than seeing the rod jump to slack and reeling like mad to catch up to the fish only to find it, and the bait, gone.

And the Breakaway clips are the only way to get a really long cast with a bunker head, keeps it from helicoptering.