Today I am reviewing the CASTSTRIKE Bait Cage Reverse Bottom Fishing Rig.
These rigs are great for catching carp and catfish and how it works is that you get a container (has two opening/locking latches) and you put your chum and whatever smelly thing to attract catfish (catfish love stinky things like chicken liver, gizzard, wussy bait, panko/oatmeal/jello/corn mixture or even those stinky things that target catfish from a big brick and mortar store or tackle shop. They also love garlic smelling things.) and then with the hooks, you will want to put corn kernels on the hooks as both carp, catfish and other fish love corn.
Connect a clip with barrel swivel to your line (I recommend a stronger line especially if you have a lot of vegetation and rocks nearby) and toss to the river or lake.
It’s important to note that the line to the six hooks is quite short, about an inch or so but just know that if they snap off, you can easily replace with a snell hook. Especially that the traps have various holes to give you flexibility on how big the line for the hook that you want to have.
Now it’s important to note that if you live in a state with fishing laws that limit the number of hooks, you may need to cut a few hooks off depending on your fishing regulations for your state (ie. California only allows three hooks in inland waters, New York, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Washington and Colorado also allows up to three hooks).
Now how do I use this for going after carp and catfish? I use a heavier braid with no leader (I use 30lb. to 65 lb.), a 7-8 ft. rod and on the line, I just have one egg sinker (you can use 1/2, 1/4, 3/4 or 3/8) with a bead to an interlock snap clip and barrel swivel. Connect the rig to the clip and toss.
While you can use the harder smelly bait that won’t easily dissipate, you can also use bait put into mesh/pantyhose to put in this rig. Or if you have one of those spring carp/catfish rigs, put that spring inside the contraption with your bait on it. But the most important part of all this, it’s the corn. Have corn that will fill that hook up. You can also use pieces of hot dog with cheese.
Last, but not least, there are extra braided line and I recommend tying additional knots, just in case. Again, don’t worry about the losing a hook, those are easily replaceable with inexpensive snell hooks (which you can purchase for under $2). But you don’t want to lose the plastic contraption, so make sure those knots are tight and you have made numerous, so it doesn’t get lost. I would also consider putting a split shot sinker on one end nearest to the barrel swivel and one towards the rig.
But overall, I really do like the CASTSTRIKE Bait Cage Reverse Bottom Fishing Rig. While the hooks on them will work, it’s more of the ability to use a rig with all these open spaces to put snell hooks that you can really be creative.
I give it a thumbs up!
