The High Low Rig is a popular surf fishing rig for good reason. It gets two baits in the water which should double your chances, right? Sometimes. Fished in the right conditions, a high low rig can be the best surf rig available. Fished in the wrong conditions, it can be a snaggy, frustrating mess.
Read on to know the ins and outs of High Low Rig fishing. This definitive guide answers:
- What is a High Low Rig?
- Why Fish a High Low Rig?
- How to tie a High Low Rig?
- How to Fish a High Low Rig?
- When to Use a High Low Rig?
- What Rod & Reel for a High Low Rig?
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
What is a High Low Rig?
A High Low Rig is a bottom fishing rig consisting of two baits suspended above a weight. It includes two circle hooks, leader line, three-way swivels (or T-knots), and a large sinker. In ideal conditions, the sinker sits on bottom while the two baits suspend naturally between 12 and 24 inches above bottom.
A High Low Rig is comprised of:
- 2x Circle Hook
- Leader Line
- 1 to 3 feet
- 10-30 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon
- Three-Way Swivels connecting everything. Alternatively, tie T-knots
- Pyramid Sinker
- Main Fishing Line – I personally prefer 20 to 40 lb braided fishing line
Why Use a High Low Rig?
A high low rig is an effective surf fishing rig. Two baits in the water can double chances of hook-ups. Having the bait suspended above bottom can reduce the chance of nuisance fish or crabs stealing bait. High low rigs are predominately used while surf fishing for popular species like striped bass, flounder, redfish, sheepshead and speckled trout.
How to Tie a High Low Rig?
High low rigs are not complicated to tie, but they do have quite a few knots. There are also some nuances to the rig that can improve how well it fishes.
To tie a High Low Rig:
- Tie leader line between three-way swivels
- Start with 16 to 20 inches of leader line to have enough tail to comfortably tie knots
- Final length of leader between swivels should be 8 to 16 inches
- Tie leader lines from swivels to hooks
- Start with 12 to 16 inches of leader line to have enough tail to comfortably tie knots
- Final length of hook leader lines should be 4 to 6 inches
- Tie leader line to heavy sinker
- Start with 12 to 16 inches of leader line to have enough tail to comfortably tie knots
- Final length of sinker leader line should be 8 to 16 inches
- Connect High Low Rig to main fishing line
A key concept to capture is the bait leader lines should be shorter than the the swivel and weight leader lines. This significantly reduces how often the rig tangles up.
Pro Tip: Pre-tie a few high low rigs before your next surf fishing trip. If you happen to snag and lose a rig, it saves a bunch of time to have a pre-rigged setup.
How to Fish a High Low Rig?
High Low Rigs are predominantly used surf fishing with live or cut bait (link to our article on best surf fishing baits!). Rig up live shrimp, cut bait, mullet, squid, sand fleas, or crab on your rig and cast it out into the surf. Try to read the beach and find active feeding fish in troughs or cuts in the surf.
Cast your rig out and let it sit while you wait for a bite. You can either hold your rod or put it into a rod holder. If a big fish picks up your bait, you’ll know it as it starts peeling line off your reel! Circle hooks tend to hook fish in the corner of the mouth so there is no need to set the hook.
Periodically reel in your rig to ensure crabs or other fish haven’t stolen your bait.
Fish Finder Rig vs High Low Rig
The main difference between the fish finder rig and the high low rig is where the weight is connected to the rig. The high low rig’s weight is at the end of the line while the fish finder rig’s bait is at the end of the line. This means the the high low rig’s bait will be suspended above the bottom while the fish finder rig’s bait will be on bottom and move susceptible to current and wave movement.
Fish finder rigs are better for casting out into the surf because the bait presents better in those conditions. High low rigs are better when fishing in deeper water or off a jetty or pier where the angler can keep the line more vertical to improve bait presentation. When conditions allow for effective high low rig fishing, having two baits can really improve the odds of catching fish.
When to Use a High Low Rig?
While high low rigs can work for all surf fishing, they are the best when fishing off a jetty or pier. The key factor for choosing a high low rig vs other surf rigs is how vertical the fishing line is once the bait is in the water. The more vertical the fishing line, the better the high low rig presents bait in the water column.
Fishing off a pier 20 or more feet above the water allows the high low rig to stand proud. Imagine the opposite scenario of casting a high low rig 100 yards off the beach – the rig will be completely on bottom and you’d be better off with a fish finder rig. It’s important to have the bait off the bottom with this rig.
Use a high low rig when fishing from some kind of height, otherwise think about using a different surf rig.
Fish finder rigs are great for catching common surf species like redfish, striped bass, black drum, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, pompano, and bluefish.
Best Rod and Reel for High Low Rig Fishing
The best rod for surf fishing with bait for most people is a 10 to 12 foot surf rod with medium to medium-heavy power and moderate to fast action. This type of rod can cast far enough to reach the current troughs in the surf that fish frequent, and have enough backbone to reel in big surf species. Check out our article on the best surf fishing rods for excellent options.
The best reel for surf fishing with bait is a saltwater spinning reel in the 4000-6500 size range. These reels are large enough to handle big surf fish species and can hold enough line to allow surf anglers to cast as far as the long surf rods will allow. Check out our article on the best surf fishing reels for excellent options.
Conclusion
High low rigs are popular among surf anglers across the country. They’re a great choice for flounder, striped bass, redfish, sheepshead, and most other surf species. The rig is best for jetty or pier fishing where the increased fishing height keeps the rig vertical and the two baits floating in the water column.
High Low Rig Frequently Asked Questions
What is a high low rig best for?
The high low rig is best for fishing from a jetty or pier in the surf with live or cut bait for striped bass, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and speckled trout.
How long should a high low rig be?
High low rig leaders should be around 2 feet long. Too much longer and the rig becomes unwieldy to cast. Much shorter and the rig will not present bait as well.
Can you use a high low rig with braid?
Braided fishing line is great for use as main line for high low rigs due to it’s superior strength and small diameter. Mono or fluoro is recommended for the leader line portion of the rig.
Other names for high low rig?
High low rigs have a few name variations. They are also called hi/lo rigs, hi-lo rigs, high/low rigs, and top and bottom rigs.
Written By: Andrew Juran
Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught hundreds of fish using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.
For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram
