by Rick Altland

Created on: February 26, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

Bait doesn't have to be expensive or inconvenient to be effective.

I'm 52 years old, and have been fishing since I was 3.

Over the ensuing years, one type of rigging has come to be my "go to" rig for nearly all bait fishing, from ultra-light rigs for Trout in crystal clear spring runs, to surf casting at Cape Hatteras, with a half pound of lead for weight.

This rig is known by several different names, but "Carolina Rig" or "Fish Finder Rig" are the most common.

No matter how light or heavy the tackle, the common feature of these rigs, is that the sinker slides freely on your line.

To tie this rig on ultra-light tackle, I like to use the lightest egg sinker that I can get, ( usually 1/16 ounce ) but you don't have to use an egg sinker, you can use any sinker that will slide freely on the line.

Start by sticking the end of your line through the eye or hole in the sinker, then you need some kind of "stop" to keep the sinker from sliding off the line.

For ultra-light rigs I use the smallest size split shot and pinch it onto the line about 18" up from the end of the line.

Now the split shot serves to prevent the sinker from sliding off, and leaves you with an 18" leader on which to tie your hook.

I don't use snelled hooks for ultra-light fishing, because the line they are snelled with is always way too heavy.

Learn how to tie good knots, including a "snelling" knot, and then you can tie your hook directly to the line.

This is a very simple, effective rig that can be used with worm hooks, salmon egg hooks or treble hooks.

At the other end of the spectrum, I slip an 8 ounce ( or larger ) 3 sided Pyramid Sinker onto the line ( you can use whatever type sinkers you prefer ) and tie a swivel or snap swivel onto the end of the line to use as a stop.

In rocky areas where you're always getting hung up, an old spark plug makes a cheap, effective weight. ( Just tap the little "hook" on the end down against the electrode, and then tie it on with a loop of light line. )

When the weight gets hung in the rocks the light line will be the first to break, and you'll get the rest of your rig back. )

Now you can either tie on an appropriate length of leader, and then a hook, or just clip on a snelled hook, if that seems best.

Now, about bait.

First lets talk about Trout.

Of the hundreds of Trout I've caught, fully half of them have been taken on canned corn.

You can get a can of whole kernel corn, anywhere, cheap, and you'll have plenty of bait for you and your fishing buddy, for several days.

I use

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