Rigging Sardine Lures: There are several successful methods to rig our sardine lures that will result in the maximum lure action in the water. One of our favorite rigging methods is to hook the lure like you would a real baitfish. Just in front of the top dorsal fin and about 1 1/2 inch back from the nose. We normally use a #3 Shaughnessy stainless hook for saltwater use. However , the size will depend on your targeted game fish.                                                  

   Attach a split shot sinker (1/8 to 1/2 oz depending on the depth of water you are fishing , the distance you need to cast and the wind conditions) approximately 3 to 12 inches from the hook eyelet. You can experiment with the distance to create different lure actions.                              

Cast the lure out and twitch the rod tip. This will cause the pin fish lure to start swimming side to side like a real bait fish in the water. With a little practice the lure’s tail and head will wobble side to side like a real pinfish swimming.

NOTE:  The closer you attach the hook to the nose of the lure the more control of the lure action you will have on a long retrieve. The closer you place the hook to the dorsal fin the more action the lure will create. If you want the lure to stay in one general area, hook it closer to the dorsal fin and twitch the rod. The lure will make large loops in that area while swimming around. If you hook closer to the nose you can cast out and make longer retrieves with the lure swimming in more of a straight line but with less action. You can also experiment with the sinker distance from the lure to help control the lure actions. The closer the sinker is to the lure the more tighter action, the farther up the line, the less lure action you get. If you need to make long casts in windy conditions we recommend using a weighted popping floater rigging method below.

Another great method is to pitch the lure out (with sinker attached 3 - 5 inches from the hook). Let it sink to the bottom and twitch the rod sharply but gently and let the lure settle back down. When done correctly the pinfish will dart side to side and upward representing a wounded bait fish. You can also make the lure swim around on the bottom by twitching gently and it looks like it‘s feeding on the bottom.                     

The sardine lure also works well under a popping cork floater. Just make sure you rig the floater so the lure will receive some action when you pop the cork. To do this, rig a floater allowing your line to pull through the floater about a foot before engaging the floater. You can twitch the lure without moving the floater and occasionally give the floater a big pop to create a splashing noise by pulling the foot of slack up first.

The sardine lure is awesome when hooked vertically or horizontally in deep water for grouper and other bottom fish. Let it sink to the bottom and gently twitch the lure upwards a few inches. The lure will act like it’s feeding on the bottom. Use sharper and harder rod tip action to duplicate wounded bait effects.