Choosing Snapper Rigs

I use and recommend paternoster rigs when fishing for snapper; the advantages are clear. Yet many people insist that a simple running sinker rig or a ganged hook rig is best, so below we’ll examine the advantages and disadvantages of each, and then you can try them out for yourself.

Here’s a quick summary to help you compare the different rig types:

Paternoster Rig

One benefit is that they set up quickly with pre-tied rigs or loops. Paternoster rigs let you fish multiple hooks at once while keeping Bait off the bottom, which reduces snags. Plus, it’s easy to change hook sizes or switch rigs.

On the downside, they are slightly more complex to tie by hand, especially in low light or with poor eyesight. Plus, they can tangle if tied improperly, mishandled, or stored poorly.

This can be resolved easily. I use pre-tied dropper loops and save myself a lot of time when fishing.

Running Sinker Rig

Beginners often find a running sinker rig a simple, classic setup that’s easy to tie. It keeps bait on or near the bottom, which is good for species like flathead. This style of rig can be sensitive to bites, as fish can pick up bait with minimal resistance.

However, you’ll also find they’re more prone to snags, tend to limit you to a single hook, and, most importantly, are less effective for snapper in my experience.

You can also buy them pre-tied if you wish, for example, Jarvis Walker Pre-Tied Running Sinker Rig can be bought from Amazon and most major tackle shops. It makes it pretty simple to turn up and start fishing.

Ganged Hook Rig

The ganged hook rig is great for presenting larger baits like pilchards. It’s also much easier to cast in windy and heavy surf conditions. Pre-ganged hooks can definitely save you time and effort.

Keep in mind, though, that some states may not allow multiple sets due to hook limits, and they can be fiddly to assemble yourself.

Honestly, if you want something simple and effective, you can’t do better than a paternoster system with a pre-tied rig or one with pre-tied loops on a spool.

Countless books, videos, and even web pages show how to tie rigs. Yet since I’ve been a programmer for so long, I’ve picked up one lesson: it’s best not to reinvent the wheel if you can help it. That’s why I usually go for pre-tied rigs or pre-tied dropper loops (see below). My vision isn’t what it used to be, and they let me fish with less trouble and in less time.