How to Rig a Live Pinfish for Catching Snook, Tarpon, & Grouper [VIDEO]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Live Bait Fishing Tips, Snook Posts, Tarpon Tips
Want to see how to catch fish such as snook, tarpon, and grouper using a live pinfish?
After receiving a lot of Shares and Comments on our recent video showing “How to Catch Pinfish”, we decided to put together a follow up video showing how to rig a live pinfish as bait for catch snook, tarpon, redfish, grouper, and a whole host of other game fish that dine on pinners.
In this video below, you’ll learn how to rig a pinfish for fishing in a spot with current (where you want to have the pinfish hug the bottom, while also swimming naturally when the line gets pulled by the current and/or when reeling in for another cast).
You’ll also get to see me get lucky and catch a nice snook on the first cast (which rarely happens when the cameras are rolling).
First, let’s talk about the three most common ways to rig a live pinfish.
3 Most Common Ways to Rig a Live Pinfish
- Through the top of the head (first soft spot behind/above the skull bone)
- Through the mouth (go in under the jaw and exit through the nostril)
- Through the nostrils (go in one nostril and out the other)
In our opinion, options 1 & 2 work best for catching the most fish overall.
The problem with option #3 is that it is prone to casting the bait off given that the nostril area cannot withstand much pull.
When deciding on option 1 or 2, I usually always go with the top of the head method whenever I’m fishing an area with a sandy bottom as I was in this video.
This method drives the pinfish further down in the water column which is mostly a good thing because many target species like snook and grouper hang near the bottom to ambush prey.
When fishing an area with a lot of snag-happy bottom structure like Sebastian Inlet, I’ll rig the pinfish through the mouth because it will not be pulled down quite as much and also because this method results in the hook point aiming directly up which helps lessen the probability of hooking the bottom.
Check out the video to see first hand how to rig the pinfish.
How To Rig A Live Pinfish [VIDEO]
We hope this video helps you land some big fish.
Use the comment section below (or email fish@saltstrong.com) if you have any questions on how to fish a pinfish.
And if you have any related fishing tips, please leave them in the comments as we’d love to hear from you.
Fish On!
Related Posts:
1. The #1 Reason Anglers Aren’t Consistently Catching Snook
2. 5 Shortcuts To Catching Snook In Florida
3. How to Catch Tons of Pinfish Without a Cast Net or Pinfish Trap
Related Courses:
1. How To Catch More Snook In Less Time… Guaranteed!
2. How To Catch Inshore Slams (Snook, Redfish, & Seatrout) Without Needing Live Bait
P.S. – If you think that your angler friends or fishing networks would enjoy seeing this, please Tag them or Share this with them. Thank you.
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Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks for the tips
I learn something good every time I watch you !!! Thanks the Club is so worth it !!!
Thanks so much for making time to leave the nice comment Dan. Fish On!
Hey Luke. First, I would like to say thank you for your amazing website and videos. I have become a SIGNIFICANTLY better fisherman since I have joined. Keep up the outstanding content!
Question: I have become a huge fan of the FG knot thanks to your video. Today I caught four 30+” snook in Naples, but had a couple of others break off. It seems like my FG knot may have failed (20# Powerpro, 30# Seaguar with FG knot). Do you recommend the FG or is there a better knot for freelining pinfish when targeting larger snook. I have moved to 30 wraps and 6 alternating half hitches (x2) and it held up for four of the fish.
Thanks for the kind words Mitch! And great work on the nice snook catches.
Do you recall what the end of the line looked like when the line broke?
Yes, I do recommend the FG knot for any type of fishing with a light braid mainline being connected to a stronger mono/fluoro leader. The only concern I have with the 20# PP and the 30# leader is that the diameters may not be far enough apart (the thinner the braid relative to the leader, the easier it can dig in the groves to lock it into place). But when using those lines, just be sure to not cast the knot through the guides because the braid coils will be sticking out far enough to hit the guides making it prone to getting compromised.
That’s larger line, have you tried the GT knot? The FG is a great knot, but I only like it on smaller diameter lines like 10/20. For 20/30 or 20/40 or larger (65/80 Grouper rigs) I use the GT. It’s also way easier to tie than the FG and holds up really well. Tight lines!
I am not a fan of the GT knot because there seems to be some much misinformation about it (particularly when it’s branded as being easy to tie)… here’s a video explaining the details: https://saltstrongdev.wpengine.com/articles/gt-knot/
Do you rig pin fish like this to catch Redfish?
Looking to get the a good rod and reel for redfish and trout. I like a short butt as I have some shoulder problems . I guess a 7′ rod with 2500 reel . Thanks for your help
Here’s a good option for the rod: https://saltstrongdev.wpengine.com/articles/temple-fork-outfitter-spinning-rod-review/
thanks
Do you reel the pinfish in like you would a lure or just let it sit? Seems like I feel you let it sit it would hide from any predator fish. I haven’t had much luck with live pinfish. I have free lined them and put them under a popping cork.
It’s typically best to let the pinfish provide the action so that it’s as natural as possible. I like to freeline them in areas without much structure on the bottom for them to dig into. And if on a shallow grass flat, that’s when I’ll use a popping cork.
What is the hook size and fluoro leader length used? Are you using the 10lb braid and tying on a 20 to 30lb fluoro leader?
I was using a 4/0 circle hook from Owner (Model # 5378-141). I personally adjust the hook size to the size of the bait… 4/0 for 3-4 inch pinfish, 5/0 for 5 inch pinfish, and 3/0 for smaller ones.
As for lines, I was using a ~3ft strand of 40 lb mono leader tied to a 20 lb braid main line.
Am very much enjoying your site and your videos. I am 68 and live in Kentucky though I have fished inshore a little over the years. I visited St. Maarten last year and found small tarpon (three to three and a half feet) every where. Actually landed one. No one fishes for them. Had limited jigs with me and lost them all in fish. Actually landed one. Had insufficient leader material too. No one fishes inshore there and impossible to find tackle. Was with my wife so fishing was a limited side line. But…I learned. Am headed back next month solely to fish. Am really enjoying your website with that in mind. They have snook too and hope to catch them as well. Keep up the good work.
P.S. If I lived on the coast or was able to fish inshore more often, I’d subscribe to your website.
Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment Cary! Best of luck to you next month.
Thanks for the tips. I’m a West Virginia girl new to inshore fishing. I hope to catch a tarpon soon!
I saw this video for first time a few months ago but just now looking to get out and catch my own bait very cool that these tips are here when we need them. Thanks Joe and Luke. Keep the tips coming.