When it comes to catching fish, a knocker rig is one of the most popular methods of setting up the end of the line. A knocker rig is easy to tie and requires a minimal amount of equipment. Anglers prefer to use knocker rigs for a majority of reasons but most importantly because they catch fish. What is a knocker rig, and how do you set up your rod and reel to fish one. 

What Is a Knocker Rig Used For

Knocker rig fishing is used for catching fish on or close to the seafloor. Knocker rigs utilize a hook, weight, line, and barrel swivel to present the bait to a fish in a more natural fashion. 

Whether you’re fishing inshore or offshore, the rig can be used to catch a wide variety of fish species. A similar set up is the Carolina rig. When comparing a knocker rig vs Carolina rig, the primary difference is the position of the weight. The weight does not make contact with the eye of the hook when tying a Carolina rig.

Why Is a Knocker Rig Effective For Catching Fish

The primary reason that a knocker rig is effective for catching fish is that it helps keep the hooked fish away from the structure, leading to break-offs. It is designed to alert the angler before it travels off with the bait into places, making it challenging to pull the fish away from.

What Is Needed For a Knocker Rig’s Setup?

 Very little terminal tackle is needed for a knocker rig. Fishing with this setup costs far less money than utilizing expensive lures to attract fish near the bottom. 

A hook of varying sizes is needed depending on what type of fish you are targeting

Leader line that can range in breaking strength also dependent on the type of fish you are searching for

Barrel Swivels with a line attachment on both ends to connect the mainline to the leader

How Do You Set Up a Knocker Rig

The question is often asked, how to tie a knocker rig? Setting up knocker rigs is simple. Follow these steps to secure a knocker rig to the end of your rod and reel to catch more fish. 

Measuring And Cutting Leader line

Depending on the type of fish you’re after, pick the correct leader weight. Larger fish require a stronger line and smaller fish lighter line. 

Measure out five and a half feet of the leader line and cut the line clean to avoid the ends from becoming frayed. Put the leaderline to the side for later.

Securing The Barrel Swivel In Two Steps

Tie the line from the reel extending out of the rod’s tip to one end of the barrel swivel. Make sure that it is well tied to avoid the knot from slipping.

Locate the section of leaderline that was previously cut. Tie the leader line to the opposite side that the mainline was tied. Again, ensure that the knot is connected correctly to avoid it slipping or breaking.

Adding The Weight

The goal is to fish on or near the bottom with a knocker rig. Depending on the water’s depth and the strength of the current, the amount of weight needed can vary. The line may need to be cut and retied until the correct amount of weight is found.

This type of fishing rig requires an egg sinker. An egg sinker is a weight with a hole that extends from end to end for the fishing line to pass through.

Add an egg sinker to the leader line before finalizing the finishing step. Keep in mind, the weight is not secured on the line yet and may fall off.

Securing The Fishing Hook

The last step in preparing a knocker rig for bottom fishing is tying on the hook. When it comes to hook sizes, it is highly dependent on the size and type of fish. Base the hook size on what you’re looking to catch.

Always make sure that the weight is still on the leader line and did not fall off. Tie the hook to the end of the leaderline and snip the tailing end of the knot so that a knocker rig underwater doesn’t come apart.

What Type Of Fish Do Knocker Rigs Catch

For the most part, a fishing knocker rig is designed to catch fish that dwell near the seafloor. They are effective in both saltwater and freshwater. 

Knocker rigs have been used to catch grouper over 100 pounds, mangrove snapper, and perch weighing less than a pound. No matter the size of the fish, knocker rigs are effective.

Are You Ready To Try A Knocker Rig

The next time you head out fishing, try a knocker fishing rig. In Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, this setup can be used both inshore and offshore. Drop a bait on a shallow flat for redfish or run offshore to bottom bounce for red snapper. This rig has you covered.Â