How to use the Edge Slidebait Rigs

We get it, when your looking around a shop and notice some new gear, it intrigues you. That's why we were so pumped to see the NEW Edge Fishing Slidebait Rigs. They are super affordable, the quality looks excellent but they were a bit different to other, more traditional rigs on the market.

The team from Edge Fishing have put together this short video, explaining what a slidebait rig is, how to tie your livebait trace to it, and how to send it out to sea and get you hooking your next monster! We have transcribed the video below for reference at a later date.

A slidebait rig is an easy way of getting your livebait to sit in a fixed position ready for predatory fish to come along and eat it. Predominantly used for surfcasting, it has a nifty clip system which allows your livebait to swim out to sea, while the clip stays attached and slides (hence the name) down your mainline. This clever, no return design means that it is a one way slide, so the bait will go down your line but will be unable to swim back up, keeping your bait in the strike zone.

This slidebait rig can also be used off the rocks or even off the boat when you are anchored. The theory is the same and it allows you to continue your other forms of fishing without the hassle of your livebait swimming around your strayline rods or ledger rigs.

Tying the trace is straight forward:

• Using 50-100lb monofilament line, attach one end to a circle or beak hook (we recommend the Edge 8/0 or 10/0 Livebait hooks or the Edge HD Recurve hooks)
• Tie the other end to the swivel that comes attached directly on the Slidebait rig
• Your trace should be 500mm - 800mm long, this allows enough line for the livebait to swim freely but not too long that it potentially creates tangles

• Tie a 600mm trace to a breakaway sinker, then tie the other end to the swivel from the solid ring attachment that comes with the trace
• Tie the solid ring to the mainline of your rod
• Cast the rod out (the slidebait rig should NOT be attached at this point)
• Set the sinker in the sand properly to ensure this does not move
• Attach your slidebait rig with the stem pointing towards the ocean, to do this:
  • Undo the clip next to the bead on your rig
  • Put your mainline into the spring and thread it around until it is sliding through easily
  • Clip it back onto the main wire stem
• Attach your livebait (depending on the size of your bait you could either attach it above the anal fin, or through the back of your livebait)
• Wade out slightly so your bait is in enough water to swim and then tighten the line so your livey is started to be forced down the line
• Keep the tension on your rod (not too much that it pullls the sinker out of the sand) and lift the tip up to ensure a greater line angle
• You may need to do some shakes of the rod to help with the movement of the slidebait rig down the line (again, don't use so much force that the sinker pulls from sand)
• Depending on how far you have cast it could take a bit of time for the livebait to swim out so after a couple of minutes of holding the rod and shaking put the rod back in the holder and sit and wait for the bite!
• Tip: Keep tension on the rod at all times, the line should be tight and the rod bent slightly, this enables the one way sliding system to work effectively, if there is slack line it could allow for some movement with the rid

Do you have any questions?

Please, contact our friendly team on 0800 102041 or email: website@burnsco.co.nz

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We provide general information on products, not personal advice. Always seek the help of a relevant tradesperson if you have a technical query.