Running Paternoster Rig

Why use a running paternoster rig when you could just use the paternoster rig? There are two main differences: one leader loop that has either a hook or sinker attached and slides up and down the mainline above the swivel or between two swivels.

This is a great rig to use when targeting mulloway, kingfish, dusky flathead, snapper and more, that are feeding on or close to the bottom. The ease with which the line passes through the eye of the swivel, allows the fish a chance to swallow the bait ensuring that there is better hook penetration.

Technique 1

During most parts of the tide the current will run fairly fast when fishing beside a breakwall. By putting a large sinker onto the freely running dropper loop, between the two swivels on the main line, allows the sinker to anchor itself into the sand, thus stopping the rig from coming back into the edge of the breakwall and getting snagged.

I prefer to use either a snapper, pyramid, sputnik or channel sinker, as a ball, bean or barrel sinker tends to roll, causing the rig to move back in close to the breakwall.

Also, having approximately 30cm between the swivels allows the fish to swim off with the bait.

Technique 2

For this technique the second swivel and dropper loop will be above the swivel that is on the mainline.

As you cast this rig out, you may see that the baited hook will fold back up onto the mainline. Don’t let this worry you. Ensure that just before the sinker hits the water surface you hold the line, causing the bait to swing forward. This will prevent the leader from twisting around the mainline.

Once the sinker is anchored into the bottom, the fish will be able to take off with the bait, while feeling no resistance.

This rig works very well when using any one of the Okuma baitfeeder threadlines (spinning) reels. Set the outfit up in a rod holder and set the rear drag to allow the fish to swim off with the bait. To activate the fighting drag, simply turn the handle of the reel and its fish on!

Alternatively, you can hold onto the outfit and again set the rear drag and slowly feed out the bait. When the fish picks up the bait and swims off, the line accelerates as the fish runs and just a turn of the handle is all that’s required to engage the reel and hook the fish.

Technique 3

When at anchor in deep water, just lower the rig to the bottom and then wind up about two to three turns of the reel. Then position the rod into the rod holder, with the drag set. This will allow the fish to swim around in the current without causing tangles.

I mainly use this rig when fishing off the beach or in bays and estuaries for mulloway, flathead and gummy sharks, where I know that the bottom is either sandy or muddy. This extra swivel in the main line allows the fish to pick up the bait with little or no resistance.

Even though I mainly use this rig when targeting mulloway and gummy sharks over the sand or mud. I have caught plenty of bream, tailor, salmon, snapper and rays using this rig. The weight of the sinker will depend on the conditions you are fishing at the time, and the hook size will just depend on the type and size of bait that you are using.