Two At One Time!
The two-hook bottom rig provides a rush when it comes to surf fishing, but it’s not an example of redundancy.
The double drop bottom rig, or the two-hook bottom rig or paternoster rig, has a long and storied history. But is the rig an example of redundancy? The short answer is no, and we’ll briefly discuss the issue. Remember that the two-hook bottom rig is valued for its simplicity, effectiveness, and adaptability to different environments. If you’ve ever caught two at a time, you’ve experienced the joy of the rig.
Origins
The paternoster rig has been used for centuries in freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Multiple references cite its name as derived from the Latin pater noster (meaning “Our Father”), which refers to the Lord’s Prayer. The rig may have been originally named this way because of its resemblance to a rosary, with its mainline resembling the beads and dropper lines symbolizing the prayer segments.
I am unsure if it aligns with religious connotations, but I have said a few prayers over my lines. And the “fishing gods” have certainly challenged me over the years.
Early versions were likely rudimentary setups, with multiple hooks attached to a vertical line, which increased the chances of catching fish.
This rig was highly effective for targeting bottom-feeding fish, which made it a go-to for anglers, especially in Europe.
How It’s Used Today
The rig’s basic principle — using one main line with dropper lines holding hooks at intervals — has remained constant throughout its evolution.
It’s a powerful rig for bottom fishing from piers.
The two-hook rig is also highly effective for surf fishing for schools of bottom-feeding fish. Fish species include spot, pompano, croaker, and whiting (also known as white drum or Virginia mullet).
In northern Florida, it is common to find a third hook to catch schools of pompano more efficiently in the wave zone of the shallow source.
Is the Second Hook an Example of Redundancy
At first glance, it appears the two-hook bottom rig drop rig is a good example of redundancy. After all, if you lose the bait on one hook, you can still catch a fish on the other. It’s not hard to calculate the theoretical probability and reliability of catching a fish on each cast.
However, the rig’s purpose is to provide more coverage in waters where bottom-feeding schooling fish are gathering. That’s why many surf fishers will not cast a line with only one hook baited and why there is an expectation to catch “two at a time.”
Past and present, the purpose of the two-hook bottom rig is to cover more area and catch more schooling fish, not to increase the chance of catching a single fish on each cast.
A Good Example
The two-hook bottom rig is a great example that having two of something does not mean you have redundancy. It turns out to be a misleading example of actually having redundancy.
Two At a Time!
The two-hook bottom rig is not an example of redundancy. It is rather an example of efficiently catching schooling bottom-feeding fish. The rig’s simplicity, effectiveness, and adaptability to different environments have made it a staple of fishing for centuries. And it’s a great rush when you catch two at a time!
JD Solomon resides in the Carolinas, where he fishes, sails, and coaches baseball. Professionally, JD Solomon is the founder of JD Solomon, Inc., the creator of the FINESSE fishbone diagram®, and the co-creator of the SOAP criticality method©.
