In-line Leads

The key to fishing fast water in a river is using large sinkers or leads that are needed to hold bottom in a fast current. Three ounces seems to be the choice among most fishermen since that weight will hold bottom as well as hook a fish on the bolt. There are two rigging choices that employ semi fixed set-ups. These include in-line leads or the use of lead clips. Semi-fixed rigs ensure that if the fish breaks the line on the fight, the lead will eventually fall from the rig, freeing the fish from the weight.
I like to use in-line leads in which the line passes through the lead. In the video below, I am rigging a Wacker Bait Quick Change In-line Flat Pear. The first step is to pass your line through the tail rubber that is up front. Continue to pass the line through the sinker, and then tie off a premade hook link leader that is set up with the hook. The key here is that the swivel should just fit into the rubber sleeve that is in the lead. Generally, a size #8 swivel (bought at Wacker) is the standard size. Pull the swivel into the lead for a semi-tight fit, and you are ready to hit the river!