Santee Cooper Rig (Catfish)

The ultimate bottom-bouncing setup for trophy catfish, combining a controlled drift with a buoyant lure presentation that keeps your bait suspended right in the strike zone.

Knot

Palomar Knot

Target Depth

10-40 ft

Target Species

Blue CatfishChannel CatfishFlathead Catfish

Where To Use It

LakeReservoirRiver

How To Tie / Assemble

1Slide a high-visibility, 2-3 inch cigar-shaped float onto your leader line, pinning it in place with a peg or sliding it between two swivels.
2Thread your main line through a large slinky weight or drift sinker and tie it to one end of a high-quality barrel swivel.
3Attach a 24- to 36-inch monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to the other end of the swivel.
4Slide your Santee float onto the leader, positioning it roughly 10-12 inches above the hook.
5Tie a sharp, heavy-duty circle hook or J-hook to the end of the leader using a Palomar knot.
6Adjust the float position to ensure the bait floats naturally just above the lake floor.

Recommended Baits

Fresh Cut Gizzard Shad

The gold standard for Blue Catfish; the oily scent and blood trails are irresistible when fished on the bottom with this rig.

Live Bluegill

Best for targeting trophy Flathead Catfish, as the buoyancy of the Santee Cooper float keeps the lively bait off the snag-heavy bottom.

Cut Skipjack Herring

Highly effective for Channel and Blue Catfish in moving water due to its tough skin, which keeps it secure on the hook during long drifts.

Whole White Perch

An excellent alternative bait in reservoirs where White Perch are common forage; the larger profile appeals to trophy-class cats.

How To Use It

Cast the rig out and allow it to hit the bottom. Keep the rod tip high and move the boat slowly using a trolling motor or wind drift. The Santee float keeps the bait off the muddy bottom, making it highly visible and accessible to catfish patrolling the lower water column while the sinker maintains consistent contact with the structure.

Why the Palomar Knot

The Palomar is the gold standard for high-strength connections when using heavy braided lines, ensuring your terminal tackle holds firm during the explosive fight of a massive catfish.

Gear & Setup

Main line: 50-80 lb braid; Leader: 40-60 lb monofilament; Hook: 7/0 to 10/0 circle hook; Weight: 2-4 oz drift sinker or slinky weight; Lure: Santee Cooper-style cigar float and cut bait.

Best Conditions

Ideal for late spring through autumn when catfish are actively roaming river channels, flats, or drop-offs; works best in moderate currents and stained water where the float helps the bait stand out.

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