Common rigs · Running leger · zip slider rig

Running ledger

The lead runs on the line, so a fish can pick up the bait and move off without feeling the weight.

Leader or mainlineZip sliderruns freely on the line4–6oz leadclipped to the slider5mm beadcushions the knotSize 4 swivelTrace 30–50lb60–90cm, lies on the bedHook 3/0–4/0ray or hound size
Targets
Rays, smoothhound, bass, flounder, conger
Where
Clean sand, estuaries and piers, mostly short range

What you need

Slider
Zip slider or running boom
Bead
5mm
Swivel
Size 4 rolling swivel
Trace
30–50lb, 60–90cm
Hook
3/0–4/0 for rays and hounds
Lead
4–6oz on the slider clip

Build it

  1. Thread the zip slider onto your leader.
  2. Add a bead below it to protect the knot.
  3. Tie on the swivel.
  4. Tie the trace to the swivel and a hook to the trace.
  5. Clip the lead to the slider.
On the beach

Fish it with the reel's ratchet or baitrunner on, and give line on the first knocks. The long trace tangles on hard casts, so lob it or clip the hook to a bait clip on the slider.

Knots for this rig are in Knots. Line strengths, hook sizes and weights are starting points: scale them to your tackle, the ground and the tide. Diagrams are schematic and not to scale.