Mooching Rig Diagram & Gear List

A cut-plug herring on two tandem hooks trails 6-9ft behind a curved banana sinker and is drifted or motored very slowly so it rolls in a slow, wounded spin. It is the traditional Pacific Northwest and BC salmon method, quieter and more natural than trolling with hardware.

Where to use it: boat, kayak
Difficulty: intermediate
Common in: US, Canada

Gear List

main Line15-25 lb monofilament
leader20-30 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon
leader Length6-9ft from the banana weight to the hooks
hook RangeTwo tandem 2/0 - 4/0 hooks, one fixed and one sliding
weight TypeBanana (crescent) sinker with swivels at both ends, 1-6oz
sinker Drop LengthWeight sits in-line between main line and leader, 6-9ft ahead of the bait
swivelSwivels built into both ends of the banana sinker
extrasCut-plug herring cut at an angle so it spins slowly

Optional gear

Gear to build this setup

These Amazon.com searches match the guide's starting specifications. Check the size, listing, and availability in your country before ordering.

Mooching banana sinkers Choose weight for the drift.Search on Amazon 2/0 to 4/0 mooching hooks Check hook size, bait fit, and local hook rules before ordering.Search on Amazon

Affiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to tie the Mooching Rig

Snell two 2/0 - 4/0 hooks on the leader, the top one sliding so you can adjust spacing to the bait.
Cut the herring head off at an angle, pin the lower hook through the cut end and the top hook through the back.
Tie the leader to one end of a 1-6oz banana sinker and the main line to the other.
Drop to depth and drift or motor slowly, checking that the bait spins in a tight, lazy roll.

When and where it works best

Salmon holding in tide rips, points, and bait balls, where slow drifting outperforms trolling.

Is the Mooching Rig good for beginners?

It is rated intermediate: easy to tie, but worth a little practice to fish well. Practice the connections in the knot guide, and see the Boat Rod for a matching rod.

What fish is the Mooching Rig good for?

Chinook (King) Salmon Coho (Silver) Salmon

Practical starting point only. Adjust line, hook, and sinker sizes for conditions and target fish, and verify current regulations before fishing.

Common Questions

What do I need to tie a Mooching Rig?

A 15-25 lb monofilament main line, a 20-30 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon leader (6-9ft from the banana weight to the hooks), a Two tandem 2/0 - 4/0 hooks, one fixed and one sliding hook, and a Banana (crescent) sinker with swivels at both ends, 1-6oz. Full gear list is above.

What is a Mooching Rig best for?

The Mooching Rig works best for boat, kayak fishing, and is a recommended setup for Chinook (King) Salmon, Coho (Silver) Salmon. Difficulty: intermediate.

Is the Mooching Rig hard to tie?

It is rated intermediate. The knot guide covers the terminal connections used across RigMyFish rigs, so you can practice each connection separately before building the full setup.