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Paternoster rigs are one of the most versatile and widely used fishing rigs in Australia. They’re commonly used across beach, surf, estuary, reef, and offshore fishing, and are valued for their ability to present baits cleanly at different depths.
While the basic design is simple, not all paternoster rigs are the same. Leader strength, materials, hook layout, and overall build all play a big role in how well the rig performs for different species and conditions.
This guide explains how paternoster rigs work, when to use them, and how to choose the right type for your style of fishing.
A paternoster rig is a vertical fishing rig made up of a main backbone line with one or more short dropper arms branching off it, and a sinker attached at the bottom.
Each dropper arm holds a hook, allowing multiple baits to be fished at different heights above the bottom at the same time. This helps cover more of the water column and keeps baits clear of snags, weed, and debris on the seabed.
Because the sinker sits at the bottom of the rig, the hooks are held relatively stable in current, making paternoster rigs especially effective in tidal flow, deeper water, or rougher conditions where other rigs struggle to stay presented properly.
Paternoster rigs are chosen for control and reliability, particularly when fishing conditions are less forgiving.
They are especially effective when:
Because the hooks are lifted above the sinker, baits tend to move more naturally in the current and are less likely to drag along the bottom. This improves bite detection and helps reduce fouling.
Paternoster rigs are also easy to adjust by changing sinker weight, hook size, or leader strength, making them adaptable across a wide range of fishing situations.
Not all paternoster rigs are built the same. Variations in materials, leader strength, and layout exist for a reason, and choosing the right type depends on where you’re fishing and what you’re targeting.
Below are the main types of paternoster rigs and when each is best used.
Mono paternoster rigs are the most common and versatile version. They are typically built entirely from monofilament leader and are well suited to lighter applications.
These rigs are commonly used for:
Mono paternosters offer good sensitivity and natural bait presentation, but they have limited abrasion and bite protection. They are best suited to species without sharp teeth and areas where snags are minimal.
Heavy mono paternosters follow the same basic design but use thicker monofilament leaders to increase strength and durability.
They are better suited to:
The trade-off with heavier mono is reduced sensitivity and bait movement, but the added strength makes these rigs more reliable in demanding conditions.
Wire and hybrid paternoster rigs are designed for situations where mono alone isn’t enough.
These rigs typically use:
Hybrid paternosters are especially useful when:
In many cases, hybrid designs also include a deliberately weaker mono section near the sinker. This allows the sinker to break free if snagged, reducing the chance of losing the entire rig or fish.
Paternoster rigs can be built with one or multiple hooks, depending on the situation and local regulations.
Multi-hook paternosters allow multiple baits to be presented at different depths and are effective when fish are schooling or feeding aggressively. They’re commonly used where regulations allow multiple hooks and conditions are suitable.
Single-hook paternosters offer more control, reduce tangles, and are often preferred when targeting larger fish or fishing rough ground. They are also commonly used to comply with fishing regulations that limit the number of hooks or baits per line.
For example, in Western Australia, demersal fishing regulations allow only one bait or lure per line when targeting demersal scalefish. In these situations, a single-hook paternoster keeps you within the rules while still giving you the benefits of a paternoster-style setup.
Choosing between multi-hook and single-hook paternosters comes down to a combination of current strength, target species, how actively fish are feeding, and the regulations that apply where you’re fishing. Always check the latest official fishing regulations before heading out.
Each type of paternoster rig exists to solve a specific problem — whether that’s current, depth, snags, or bite protection. Understanding these differences helps you avoid using rigs that are under-gunned or unsuitable for the conditions you’re fishing.
The next step is learning how to choose the right paternoster rig for your specific situation.
Choosing the right paternoster rig comes down to matching the rig to the conditions you’re fishing and the species you’re targeting. There’s no single “best” option — the right choice depends on a few key factors.
Start with what you’re chasing. Smaller estuary and reef species are well suited to lighter mono paternosters, while larger fish or toothy species require heavier leaders or wire-assisted designs for bite and abrasion protection.
Where you’re fishing plays a big role in rig choice:
Stronger current and deeper water place more load on the rig. In these conditions, heavier backbone leaders and simpler layouts help maintain control and reduce tangles. Lighter paternosters can struggle to stay presented properly when current increases.
If you’re fishing reef, rubble, or rough ground, durability matters. Hybrid paternoster rigs with controlled weak points near the sinker can help reduce full rig loss if a sinker becomes snagged, while still keeping strength where the fish is connected.
If there’s any chance of sharks, gummies, or other toothy species moving through the area, bite protection becomes important. This is where wire or hybrid paternoster rigs make sense, even if you’re not specifically targeting sharks.
Always consider the rules that apply where you’re fishing. Some fisheries limit the number of hooks or baits per line. In these cases, a single-hook paternoster keeps you compliant while still offering the control and presentation benefits of the paternoster design.
By working through these factors, you can narrow down the paternoster rig that best suits your fishing situation, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Paternoster rigs are simple in design, but small mistakes in setup or selection can significantly reduce their effectiveness. Avoiding the following common issues will help you get the most out of this style of rig.
Using Leaders That Are Too Light
One of the most common mistakes is using light mono paternosters in situations that demand more strength. Rough ground, deeper water, strong current, or the presence of larger fish can quickly expose the limits of under-gunned rigs.
Ignoring Bite and Abrasion Risk
Standard mono paternosters are often used in areas where sharks, gummies, or other abrasive species are present. Without adequate bite protection, bite-offs and damaged leaders become common. In these situations, wire or hybrid paternoster rigs are a better choice, even if sharks are not the primary target.
Running Too Many Hooks in Strong Current
Multi-hook paternosters can be effective, but in strong current they are more prone to tangling and poor presentation. Too many hooks can also reduce control and make it harder to manage fish during the fight. In heavy flow, simpler single-hook setups often perform better.
Incorrect Sinker Weight
Using a sinker that’s too light allows the rig to drift and tangle, while an overly heavy sinker can pin the rig unnaturally to the bottom. The sinker should be heavy enough to hold bottom while still allowing the baits to move naturally in the current.
Poor Dropper Length and Spacing
Dropper arms that are too long or spaced too closely together increase the risk of tangles and crossed lines. Balanced spacing and appropriate dropper length help keep baits separated and presented cleanly.
Assuming baits should always sit flat on the bottom
In some conditions, especially where there’s movement or uneven ground, a hook lying flat can actually work against you. On selected paternoster rigs, a small candy float is used above the hook to lift the bait slightly, helping it sit clearer of weed and shell grit and reducing tangles between droppers.
This isn’t something used everywhere. In calm water or heavy sinker setups, added lift can be unnecessary. When used selectively, though, it can noticeably improve how a paternoster rig fishes.
Candy floats are included on some of our paternoster rigs and select long cast rigs, and are also available in our accessory tackle packs for fishos who like to fine-tune their setups.
Not Considering Fishing Regulations
In some fisheries, the number of hooks or baits per line is restricted. Using multi-hook paternosters where single-hook setups are required can put you outside the rules. Always check the latest local fishing regulations before heading out and adjust your rig accordingly.
While standard paternoster rigs work well for many species, sharks and gummy sharks introduce additional considerations that don’t apply to typical mono-only setups.
Gummies and other sharks can cause significant abrasion around the hook area, and even though gummy sharks don’t have razor-sharp teeth, prolonged contact can still damage light leaders. In areas where sharks are present, mono paternosters alone are often under-gunned.
For this reason, paternoster rigs used for sharks and gummies are commonly built as wire or hybrid designs. These rigs use wire in the bite zone to prevent bite-offs, while retaining mono in other sections to maintain flexibility and controlled break points. This balance helps protect the fish connection without overbuilding the entire rig.
In snag-prone areas or deeper water, hybrid paternoster rigs may also include a deliberately weaker section near the sinker. If the sinker becomes lodged, this section can break first, helping prevent the loss of the fish or the entire rig.
If you’re specifically targeting gummy sharks, or fishing areas where sharks are likely to move through, it’s important to choose a paternoster rig designed with these factors in mind.
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