Paternoster Rigs Explained

Pompano paternoster float rig showing two hook-bearing arms, orange and green candy floats, and the

A paternoster rig has a sinker attached at the bottom of a main backbone, with one or more hook-bearing paternoster arms positioned above it.

This layout separates the baited hooks from the sinker and holds them above the seabed. The sinker provides the weight needed to lower, cast or control the rig while the paternoster arms keep the hooks fishing away from the backbone.

Paternoster rigs can be built with a single hook or multiple hooks. The backbone, paternoster arms, hook arrangement and leader material can then be adjusted for estuary, beach, surf, reef, offshore or species-specific fishing.

Unlike a running sinker rig, the sinker is fixed at the lower end of the paternoster. This provides greater control in current and deeper water, although the fish encounters the fixed-sinker layout when it takes the bait.

The basic design is simple, but mono, wire, hybrid, twisted-arm, single-hook and multi-hook versions all solve different fishing problems.

This guide explains how paternoster rigs work, when to use them and how to choose a suitable layout for the species, ground and water movement being fished.

When Should You Use a Paternoster Rig?

A paternoster rig is particularly useful when controlling the bait’s position above the bottom is more important than allowing a fish to move away with minimal sinker resistance.

Consider using one when:

• Current or surf movement makes a running rig difficult to control
• Fishing deeper water from a boat, rocks or another structure
• Fish are feeding above rather than directly on the seabed
• Weed, silt, shell grit or rubble is repeatedly fouling bottom baits
• More than one bait needs to be fished at different heights, where local regulations allow
• You want the sinker positioned below the hooks

Because the sinker is fixed at the bottom of the backbone, the fisho maintains direct control over the complete rig. Changing the sinker weight or shape allows that control to be adjusted for the depth, current and ground.

The trade-off is that a fish may encounter the resistance of the fixed sinker sooner than it would with a running-sinker layout.

When reduced initial sinker resistance is more important than holding the hooks above the bottom, a Fish Finder Rig may be the better choice.

See Fish Finder Rigs Explained →

Mono Paternoster Rigs: Light to Heavy

A mono paternoster rig uses monofilament for its backbone and paternoster arms.

The same basic layout can be built in different leader strengths, so light and heavy mono paternosters are variations of the same rig rather than completely different designs.

Lighter Mono Paternosters

Lighter mono versions are commonly used for:

• Estuary fishing over clean ground
• Calm beaches and shallow surf gutters
• Smaller hooks and baits
• Whiting, Bream and other common estuary or surf species

Their lighter construction suits smaller tackle and baits where heavy abrasion or toothy bycatch is unlikely.

See Best Whiting Rigs in Australia →

Heavier Mono Paternosters

Heavier mono versions are better suited to:

• Stronger surf and deeper water
• Larger hooks and baits
• Reef, rubble or other abrasive ground
• Larger target species or heavier likely bycatch
• Sinkers and casting loads that require a stronger backbone

Thicker mono generally provides additional strength and abrasion resistance, but it is also stiffer and more visible. Use enough leader strength for the fish, ground and casting load without making the rig unnecessarily heavy.

Mono provides abrasion resistance according to its material and diameter, but it does not provide reliable bite protection against sharp teeth.

A twisted mono paternoster is also a proven layout for presenting baits to Australian Salmon in active surf.

See the Australian Salmon Rig Guide →

When Should You Use Wire on a Paternoster Rig?

Wire is used on a paternoster rig when protection against sharp teeth is required around the hooks.

It should not be added simply because the water is deeper or the current is stronger. Heavier mono can provide additional strength and abrasion resistance, while wire solves the separate problem of bite-offs from toothy fish.

Wire can be incorporated into the hook traces or paternoster arms while retaining a monofilament backbone. This combination of different leader materials creates a hybrid paternoster rig.

Wiggle ya Worm Hybrid Gummy Shark Paternoster Rig

The Wiggle ya Worm hybrid version is a specialised Gummy Shark paternoster consisting of:

• A monofilament backbone
• Wire paternoster arms for bite protection near the hooks
• A deliberately weaker mono section below the backbone for attaching the sinker

If the sinker becomes firmly snagged, the weaker bottom section is designed to break before the stronger fish-carrying sections of the rig. This can reduce the likelihood of losing the complete rig when fishing rough bottom.

This is a heavier, species-specific setup intended for Gummy Shark and mixed-shark fishing. It is not recommended as a general Mulloway, estuary or light reef paternoster.

For a complete explanation of when this design is appropriate, see the Australian Gummy Shark Rig Guide →

Single-Hook vs Multi-Hook Paternoster Rigs

A paternoster rig can carry one hook or multiple hooks. The appropriate layout depends on the target species, bait size, current, how the rig will be handled and the fishing regulations that apply.

Multi-Hook Paternoster Rigs

A multi-hook rig allows two or more baits to be fished from paternoster arms positioned along the backbone.

This can be useful when:

• Fishing for schooling species
• Trying different baits during the same drop
• Fish may be feeding at slightly different heights
• Local regulations allow multiple baits or hooks per line

Additional hooks also create more drag and more possible tangle points. As current, bait size or hook size increases, a simpler layout may become easier to control.

Single-Hook Paternoster Rigs

A single-hook version uses one paternoster arm and one bait.

This layout may be preferred when:

• Local regulations permit only one bait or lure per line
• Fishing one larger bait
• Strong current makes multiple arms difficult to manage
• A simpler rig is wanted for rough ground or deeper water

The number of hooks does not determine the required leader strength. Hook count, leader strength and sinker choice should each be selected for their own purpose.

Western Australian Demersal Fishing Rules

Western Australian rules currently allow a maximum of one bait or lure on each line when fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion.

Separate regional closures, species rules and other restrictions may also apply. Fishos should confirm the current rules for their location and target species before fishing.

View the Current Western Australian Recreational Fishing Rules →

For fishos requiring a single-arm layout, see our WA-Compliant Single-Arm Twisted Paternoster Rig Blanks →

How Do You Choose the Right Paternoster Rig?

Choosing a paternoster rig involves more than selecting a leader strength.

The complete layout needs to suit the target species, bait, ground, water movement and fishing regulations.

Work through these questions before choosing:

What Are You Targeting?

The likely fish and bycatch determine the hook size, leader strength and whether wire bite protection is required.

Where Are You Fishing?

Clean estuary sand and calm beaches may suit lighter mono, while surf, reef, rubble and deeper offshore ground can require stronger leaders and a more robust layout.

What Bait Are You Using?

Hook size and paternoster arm spacing should suit the bait. Larger baits create more drag and require enough separation to prevent them tangling with the backbone or other hooks.

How Strong Is the Water Movement?

Current and depth affect the sinker weight and shape required to control the rig. Larger baits and multiple paternoster arms also create additional drag, so a simpler layout may be easier to manage in stronger flow.

Is Bite Protection Required?

Heavier mono provides additional strength and abrasion resistance. Wire should be used near the hooks when toothy target species or likely bycatch create a genuine bite-off risk.

How Many Baits Are Permitted?

Check the current fishing rules for your location and target species before choosing a single-hook or multi-hook layout.

As a practical starting point:

• Light estuary and calm beach fishing → Lighter mono paternoster
• Active surf and larger baits → Stronger twisted mono paternoster
• Reef, rubble and deeper water → Heavier mono paternoster
• Gummy Shark or mixed-shark fishing → Purpose-built hybrid paternoster
• One-bait fishing regulations → Single-arm paternoster

If you’re learning how different rigs work or want to practise assembling your own, the Beginner Fisho Rig Kit provides ready-to-fish examples, blank paternosters and knot-tying information.

View the Beginner Fisho Rig Kit →

Common Paternoster Rig Mistakes

Choosing Leader Strength by Current Alone

Stronger current normally requires a heavier or more suitable sinker, but it does not automatically require a heavier leader. Leader strength should be selected for the target species, likely bycatch, ground, bait and casting load.

Confusing Abrasion Resistance with Bite Protection

Heavier mono can provide additional resistance against reef, rubble and shell grit, but it does not provide reliable protection against sharp teeth. Use wire near the hooks when bite-offs are a genuine risk.

Using Too Many Hooks for the Conditions

Additional hooks and baits create more drag and more possible tangle points. In strong current or when using large baits, a single-hook or simpler layout may be easier to control.

Using the Wrong Sinker

A sinker that is too light may allow the rig to move uncontrollably, while using more weight than necessary increases the load during casting and retrieval. Match the sinker’s weight and shape to the depth, current and ground.

Poor Paternoster Arm Length or Spacing

Paternoster arms positioned too close together can allow the hooks and baits to cross. Larger baits require enough separation to fish without tangling with another arm, the backbone or the sinker.

Rigging the Bait Poorly

Match the hook size to the bait, keep the bait secure and make sure the hook point remains clearly exposed. A well-built paternoster cannot compensate for a hook buried inside the bait.

Ignoring Local Fishing Regulations

Hook and bait limits vary between fisheries, species and locations. Check the current rules before using a multi-hook paternoster, particularly when targeting regulated demersal species.

When Should You Use Candy Floats or Flasher Hooks?

Candy floats and flasher materials can both be added near a paternoster hook, but they serve different purposes.

Candy Floats

A small candy float adds buoyancy near the hook, helping lift the bait slightly above the seabed.

This can be useful when:

• Weed, silt or shell grit is repeatedly fouling the bait
• The bait is being buried by light sand movement
• Small crabs are repeatedly reaching baits on the bottom
• Fish are feeding slightly above the seabed

The amount of lift depends on the float size, bait weight, current and its position near the hook. A candy float helps raise the bait, but it does not hold every bait at one exact height.

Candy floats are included on selected Wiggle ya Worm paternoster and long cast rigs where additional lift serves a practical purpose.

Flasher Hooks

Flasher material adds movement and changing reflection around the hook. It is intended to make the bait or hook easier for fish to locate in deeper water, low light, whitewater or reduced visibility.

Unlike a candy float, flasher material does not provide meaningful buoyancy or lift the bait away from the bottom.

Neither feature is required on every paternoster rig. Use a candy float when bait height is the problem and a flasher hook when additional visibility is the objective.

For more information, see the Flasher Rigs Guide →

When Should You Use a Paternoster Rig for Gummy Sharks?

A paternoster rig can be useful when targeting Gummy Sharks from a boat, in deeper channels or over rough bottom where controlling the bait and sinker is more important than casting distance.

Gummy Sharks do not have the razor-sharp teeth associated with many other shark species, so wire is not automatically required for every Gummy Shark rig.

The decision depends on:

• The size of the Gummies being targeted
• The ground being fished
• Bait size
• The likelihood of other shark species taking the bait
• Whether the sinker is likely to become snagged

For these conditions, the Wiggle ya Worm Hybrid Gummy Shark Paternoster Rig uses a mono backbone, wire paternoster arms and a deliberately weaker mono sinker section.

The wire arms provide protection near the hooks when mixed shark species may be encountered. If the sinker becomes firmly lodged, the weaker bottom section is designed to break before the stronger fish-carrying sections of the rig.

This is a specialised setup for heavier Gummy Shark and mixed-shark fishing.

It is not necessary for every Gummy Shark location or a substitute for lighter castable and sliding-sinker rigs when those layouts better suit the conditions.

See the Australian Gummy Shark Rig Guide for a complete comparison of castable, sliding-snell and paternoster options

Still Not Sure Which Paternoster Rig to Use?

If you know the species and location but aren’t sure which rig suits the water movement, ground and bait being used, try the Rig Finder Tool for a quick recommendation.

If you want to understand when a paternoster is preferable to a Fish Finder Rig, running sinker rig, long cast pulley rig or another common design, use the Australian Fishing Rig Decision Guide.

You can also browse the Online Shop to compare current paternoster rigs, hook sizes and leader strengths.

Want to Know More or Need a Custom Rig Built?

All our rigs are hand tied by experienced fishos, and the rigs we sell are the rigs we use. If you need a saltwater fishing rig that is not currently available in our range, tell us what you are targeting and the conditions you fish. We can recommend an existing setup or discuss building a custom rig for the job.