Make Your Own Bubble Rigs

Just about EVERYONE uses Bubble Rigs, also known as McDonald's Straw Rigs or just Straw Rigs. You'll find them being used inshore, offshore, bridges, and on piers. They are a wonderful, cheap, simple item to have to catch Spanish, Blues, Bonito, False Albacore, Blue Runners!

It was explained to me that the bubble gliding across the water causes splashes that attract attention of the fish, then the following straw represents the slow bait fish, and when the fish attacks it, the treble hooks them. We don't even use Gotchas anymore because of these $1-2 rigs. You can cast these things a country mile too, even when it's windy, and they don't foul up like Gotchas tend to some days.

What you will need:

Bubble Floats (Rainbow Plastics makes these)

2' of leader material (Mono or Flouro, at least 25 to 30# test, your choice though)

1' or so of Mono

Swivels

McDonald's Straws (you can also use those sunglasses tube retainers & clarkspoons do really well too)

Treble Hooks

Directions:

I find it easier to start with the straw and treble end first. Cut a 2' length of leader. To one end, tie on a treble hook.

Then, slide on about a 3-4" piece of straw or sunglasses tubing until it hits the treble hook. (In lieu of the straw and treble, you can also tie on a clarkspoon or any shiny jig / spoon.)

Now, on the other end of the leader, tie the swivel.

For the next part, you'll tie the second piece of mono to the swivel.

Slide the bubble down this piece and you're done.

Use another swivel to tie this rig to your main line, fill the bubble with water, and you are ready to fish!!