How to build a basic fishing rig
Assemble the five parts almost every rig uses — line, swivel, leader, weight, hook — and understand what each one is for.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
What this skill is for
Nearly every rig you will ever tie is the same five components in a different order. Once you can see the parts, the hundreds of named rigs stop being secrets: a float rig, a ledger and a paternoster are the same ingredients rearranged.
What you need
- Main line
- Swivels
- Leader material
- Split shot or a moulded weight
- Hooks
- A float or a stop, if you're fishing off the bottom
- Line clippers
Step by step
- 01
Choose the hook from the bait
Hook size follows the bait you're putting on, not the fish you're chasing. A hook that swallows your bait whole is too big; a bait that drapes off it is too small.
- 02
Cut a leader
The leader is the short, finer section nearest the hook. Short keeps the bait close to the weight and the bottom; long lets it drift and hover above the debris. Start short and lengthen only if fish are nibbling and missing.
- 03
Join leader to main line with a swivel
A swivel gives you a clean join, stops the weight and float spinning up your line, and gives you a strong point to attach to. Tie a compact double knot at each eye — uni-to-uni is the standard for line to line.
- 04
Add weight above the hook
Weight goes on the main line above the swivel, or on a leger link below it. Use the least weight that holds your bait in the layer you want — heavy line in shallow water warns fish and finds snags.
- 05
Set a depth with a float or a stop
A float sets the distance between hook and surface; a fixed stop sets the distance between hook and weight. Start shallower than you think, catch a fish, then fine-tune until the bait sits where the fish are.
- 06
Pull the rig apart before you cast it
Run it through your fingers and pull each join. Everything should be tight, the weight should stop where you want it, and nothing sharp should rub the line.
Where it goes wrong
- Too much weight for the depth and clarity — a safe bet that catches fewer fish.
- Letting the weight slide down onto the hook because there is no stop.
- A leader so long that bite detection disappears.
- Weight tied below the hook, so the bait trails above the thing the fish bites first.
Related guides
Common questions
What do I need for build a basic rig?
Main line, Swivels, Leader material, Split shot or a moulded weight, Hooks, A float or a stop, if you're fishing off the bottom, Line clippers. Nothing specialist beyond that — if a step needs something extra it is listed in the guide itself.
What is the most common mistake with build a basic rig?
Too much weight for the depth and clarity — a safe bet that catches fewer fish.
How do I know build a basic rig is done correctly?
Pull the rig and nothing moves where it shouldn't: the hook stays at the depth you set, the weight stays put, and the joins are smooth.