The Slide Line Rig
Catching Kings at Bob Hall Pier
by Gary Rankin

This is one of the more popular questions asked on our Tx-Outdoors’   Saltwater Fishing Message Board

Q: I have heard about slide lines used to catch kings off the end of the pier. Can anyone give me a general desc. of the slide line and how to make it. PS . I hope this group takes off !

A: Great question and I hope we can help you get rigged up for the big kings that Bob Hall Pier is famous for. I hope this group takes off too . . . It is a great place for anglers to share information and learn what others are doing to catch The Big Ones . . . Thanks for the support.

I've spent many hours out on the t-head at the end of Bob Hall and have had some great fishing out there. The slide line is a very good method for kings. I've also had other species take a slide bait, including shark and tarpon.  I prefer to use pretty  large gear because I've had a king rip 300 yards of 30 lb. test line off of a Penn 4/0 reel out in  a HURRY. I admit it was one of those rare occasions, but it happened. Like they say, "Strip me once, shame on you, strip me twice, shame on me." or at least thats how I think of it.

A good slide line rig is pretty simple to set up and a very handy tool for fishing from piers - especially Bob Hall Pier on North Padre Island. The kings come in at a certain time of year to feed on the schooling bait fish and the action can get pretty hot at times. Granddaddy kings up to six feet long are lurking in the cool shadows just beneath you, and if you have the right bait in the right place at the right time, you’re in for a fight.

Anyway, I'll describe the setup and if you have any questions, please post a reply in our Message Board and I will try to answer them as best I can.

This is only a sample of what I use. I'm sure your equipment will vary some, but this should give you an idea of the slide line concept.

Hardware List
  • Main Rig - Penn 4/0 with 400 - 500 yards of 40-lb. test line.
  • Spare Rig- any rod & reel 100 + of 20 – 30-lb. test line.
  • 6 -10 oz. Surf Sinker - aka spider weight - Note: The size of the sinker depends on surf conditions: Light surf = light sinker, med. = med., etcetera.
  • 1 Wire King Leader - 2 –3-ft.
  • 1 Clothespin,
  • 1 Large Snap Swivel
  • 8-10" piece of heavy string or monofilament.
  • And of course a live bait, preferably a freshly caught mullet, menhaden shad, perch, etc.

All hardware can be purchased at Roy's bait and tackle, along with just about every other kind of bait and tackle you'll need!

The Concept:
To have a live bait swimming / free floating in a controlled fashion to prevent interference with other angler's baits in the same area.
Set up an anchor line or a run (like an overhead cable for dog run) to attach another line to for a live bait to swim semi-freely around on. The live bait will stay near or on the surface. The point where the anchor line meets the surface of the water will dictate the location of the bait once complete. The length of the leader will control the freedom of the bait. The bait is held (until released by a strike) to the anchor line by a clothespin attached to it using a snap swivel.

The Procedure:
Step 1. The Anchor Line - Take the spare rod & reel and attach the surf sinker (with the prongs spread out for an anchor effect) and cast it out as far as you like in the general direction you want your bait. Set the anchor - point the rod tip down and give it a couple of firm tugs to ensure it grabs. Tighten the drag and secure this rod. - Or tie the line itself to the pier.

Step 2. The Release Mechanism - Thread the string through the eye of the clothespin and the snap swivel and tie the ends of the string in a knot. Purpose: The snap is what you will attach to the anchor line and the clothespin will hold your baited leader.

Step 3. The Fishing Rig - To attach the bait leader, place the barrel part of the barrel swivel in the mouth of the clothespin. Bait the hooks and gently allow the baited rig to slide down the anchor line. (This is where it gets its name - slide line) Set the drag on the main reel to allow a strike to take line - not free spooling - drag spooling. (Depending on the type of reel you use, some free spooling reels can easily backlash and leave you with a mess and nothing on the end of the hooks).

Note: Depending on conditions like the angle of the anchor line, the wind, etcetera, it may not slide easily all the way down to the water. If this happens, give the anchor line a few shakes and the weight of the bait should carry it on in to the water. Be sure you have plenty of slack in the main rod's reel. Also, if the surf is really rough the bait may get pushed up the line and stranded out of the water, so keep at least one eye on it at all times during rough seas. Obviously, rough water is not exactly king-fishing conditions, but this rig can be used for other topwater feeders such as tarpon.