Still fishing consists of casting a weighted rig that drifts into position on the bottom to await a strike. Anglers can hold the rod while waiting for a bite, but most people prefer to set multiple lines and use rod holders. Most fish can be caught still fishing.

Set Rigging
Widely used by shore anglers, the set rig performs well for catfish, bullheads, stream trout, carp, and other fish that feed near shore over clean bottom areas. The set rig is often called a dropper-loop rig for the looped snells fastened to the main line above the sinker. Typically, one to three pretied snells are tied 12 to 18 inches above the sinker for presenting multiple baits simultaneously, state laws allowing.

Tackle
Rod & Reel—A 6- to 7-foot moderate-action, medium-power spinning or casting rod; a medium-capacity spinning or baitcasting reel.

Line—6- to 12-pound-test monofilament.

Sinker—Bell sinkers from 1/2 to 2 ounces work best. Tie a single weight to the end of the line to anchor the rig in place.
Connections—None.

Leader—Pretied 6- to 12-inch snells are available from most hook companies. Tie as many of these short snells to your main line as are legal—one or two droppers is most common.

Knots—To secure pretied snells to the main line use an improved clinch knot, leaving a long tag end to attach the sinker with another clinch knot. To tie your own snells, use a snell knot to fasten the hook to the leader. At the end of the snell, tie a double surgeon’s loop to provide a connection point.

Hooks—Hook choice depends largely on the bait, cover conditions, and the size of the fish you’re targeting. Baitholder-style hooks are a popular choice. Most pretied snells have a #6 to #1 baitholder hook with a barbed shank. The barbs on these hooks work especially well when rigging nightcrawlers. For presenting salmon eggs, marshmallows, or other soft nugget-shaped baits for trout, a #10 to #6 egg or octopus-style hook works best. Since some soft baits don’t hold well on single hooks, a #14 to #6 treble hook might be necessary. When fishing pliable dough baits for catfish or carp, special trebles with a small spring on the shank grip these baits well. When using chicken entrails or congealed blood that doesn’t stay attached to single hooks, #6 to #1 treble hooks are a better choice. For presenting live baitfish or leeches, use #8 to #2 octopus hooks.

Natural Baits—The set rig is often used to present nightcrawlers or angleworms. Live leeches, small minnows, cutbait, and frogs also are common bait options for set rigs.

Prepared Baits—Many companies offer dough baits that can be shaped onto a hook for trout and catfish. These baits are infused with flavors and colors. Scouting the prepared bait section of the tackle shop yields flavors such as cheese, garlic, shad, blood, and even barbecue. Other commercial bait options include fish eggs, marshmallows, lunch meat, and canned sweet corn. These baits work best for stocked trout and carp.

Fishing The Basic Set Rig

Anytime you’re targeting catfish, bullheads, or other fish that feed over relatively shallow, clean-bottom areas, this rig should be considered. It’s certainly a top choice when fishing from shore. Set rigs excel when cast and anchored near an area likely to be inhabited by numbers of fish—at the top or bottom of a drop-off, a creek channel edge, or other high-percentage fish travel areas. The rig is highly susceptible to snags, however, so keep it out of sharp rocks, brushpiles, and heavy vegetation.

As with most stationary rigs, successful presentation hinges on rig placement rather than how you manipulate the bait. Cast toward a likely spot, perhaps near cover, but not in cover. Place your rig and bait in the spot where a fish can find it. Once set in place, move the rig a few inches every ten minutes or so. This is especially important in rivers and other current areas. Your rig can drift into unfavorable spots, such as snags, where fish may not be able to find your bait. In some waters, crayfish, turtles, or small fish carry baits into rock crevices and other snags.

Whether fishing from shore or a boat, make your cast and, as the bait settles on the bottom, engage the reel then pick up slack until you’re tight to the sinker. To detect bites, some anglers place the line over their index finger. Other times, particularly when fishing multiple rods, you can place rods into rod holders and use a bite indicator to detect light strikes. Common bite indicators include small bells attached to the rod tip, devices that signal a strike with a flashing light, or on-line indicators that drape over the line between guides. When a strike occurs, an on-line indicator rises or drops.