How to set up a plunking rig for the river

On this post I will include pictures on the steps on making a plunking rig; by definition a plunking rig in the river is used to place the bait on the bottom of the river with either salmon eggs, or prawns, or a combination of both to attract the migrating salmon to make the salmon mad and entice it to strike at the bait.

You will need the following items to make a plunking rig: I prefer to use a 1/0 hook by Owner, 15-25lb. test fishing line leader, a 3-way swivel, a spin-n-glow(these come in a variety of colors and sizes and each is used for certain times of day, water color, etc. and have wings to make them spin at a high rate of speed in the water and make a "humming" or "buzzing" sound to attract fish), a small red bead, and a 3-5 oz. pyramid weight (this size of weight depends upon how fast the current is and how deep the water is, and also a good pair of sharp scissors or fisherman's clippers, you will also need a good fishing reel (I like Abu Garcia) and a good fishing pole (I like Lamiglas fishing rods as well as G Loomis for salmon and steelhead fishing), and a small fishing bell for the end of your fishing pole.

(supplies needed for plunking rig)

You begin by tying the main line from your fishing pole to the 3 way swivel; I like to use a simple fast knot when doing this, the clinch knot. After you have tied the swivel you cut a piece of leader to the desired length and tie your leader to the hook, for this knot you must use tie the egg loop in order for you to be able to fish with bait (salmon egg clusters or a prawn that has been brined and cured).

(tying to 3 way swivel)

After you have tied the egg loop to your hook, you use a small red bead and slide it on the leader and then choose a color and size spin-n-glo and slide it on the leader ahead of the small red bead and then tie your leader line with the hook and spin-n-glo to one eye of the 3 way swivel. (see video for egg loop instructions)



(what your rig should look like once your spin-n-glo and bead is placed)

The last step is to tie a small length of leader line onto the third eye of the swivel and then tie the loose end to the pyramid weight. Don't forget to put your eggs in the egg loop and pull the leader line taught, but not too tight or else it will cut the bait in half. You are now ready to "plunk" for salmon or steelhead.

(attaching the pyramid weight to the rig)

When you cast you line into the water you have to make sure you cast a bit upriver because the current will drag your set up a little ways down river about 3-6 feet before settling on the bottom,(if it does not settle on the bottom you need more weight) after it has settled to the bottom make sure to crank the reel a few times and feel with you fingers if the line has a "hum" to it and then clip on your fishing bell to the end of you pole and when a fish takes the bait, the bell will start to ring and then simply set the hook and hold on for an awesome fight with a spectacularly strong fish and be sure not to get too excited and "horse" the fish in because this will only break the line and you will loose the fish.