If you have ever watched your sinker touch down, lifted into position, and still come back with stripped baits and no squid, the rig is usually the problem. Knowing how to rig paternoster for squid properly gives you better bait presentation, fewer tangles and a cleaner way to fish from jetties, breakwalls, boat decks and calm inshore ground.

A paternoster rig suits squid because it keeps your baits sitting just off the bottom rather than buried in weed or dragging through rubbish. Around South Australian squid grounds, that matters. Squid often move over broken weed beds, sand patches and light structure, and a neat paternoster lets you hold the bait where they can see it and grab it cleanly.

Why a paternoster rig works for squid

For bait fishing, the paternoster is one of the most practical squid rigs going. It uses one or two short droppers tied above a sinker, which means the baited hooks sit away from the main line and away from the bottom. That simple layout does two jobs well - it reduces tangles and keeps the bait in the strike zone.

That matters more than a lot of anglers realise. Squid are visual hunters. If your bait is fouled, spinning badly or lying in weed, you can fish good ground and still get ignored. A well-spaced paternoster presents the bait naturally enough for squid to commit, while still being easy to cast and manage.

It is also a forgiving rig for newer anglers. You do not need a complicated setup, and if you are fishing with kids or setting up multiple rods, the paternoster is quick to tie, easy to replace and simple to adjust to suit current and depth.

How to rig paternoster for squid step by step

Start with your main line and tie it to a swivel. Below that, use a length of leader long enough to build the rig - usually around 60 to 100cm is plenty. Fluorocarbon or clear mono leader works well because it is abrasion resistant and presents cleanly in clear water.

From the swivel, tie your first dropper loop about 20 to 30cm down. If you are using two hooks, tie the second dropper another 20 to 25cm below the first. Then leave enough leader below the bottom dropper for your sinker loop or sinker clip, usually another 20 to 30cm.

Each dropper should be fairly short. Around 8 to 12cm is a good starting point. Too long and the hooks twist around the main trace. Too short and the bait can look cramped and stiff. Once the loops are tied, attach your squid hooks or bait hooks, depending on the style you fish.

At the very bottom, attach a snap, loop or sinker clip and add a sinker heavy enough to hold the rig near vertical. For land-based squid fishing in light current, you usually do not need anything extreme. The goal is not to pin the rig hard to the bottom. You just want enough lead to keep the droppers sitting neatly above it.

Hook choice makes a big difference

This is where plenty of rigs go wrong. If you are targeting squid with bait, you can use purpose-made squid spikes or squid hook sets, but many anglers still do well with long shank hooks in the right size. The best option depends on the bait and how you want the squid to stay attached once it grabs.

Squid-specific hook sets are designed to hold soft tentacles better after the squid wraps up. They can improve your landing rate, especially when the squid are only half-committing. Standard bait hooks can still work, but they are a bit less forgiving if the squid is timid or the retrieve is rough.

If you are using fish strips, pilchard pieces or slender baitfish, keep the hook size matched to the bait rather than going oversized. A bulky hook can kill the presentation. A neat baited hook that hangs straight generally outfishes a heavy, clumsy setup.

Best bait for a squid paternoster rig

Fresh bait usually gets the best response. Slim fish strips, gar, pilchard pieces and small strips of silver flesh all work, provided they are tough enough to stay on the hook. Squid often attack from behind or grab with the tentacles first, so soft baits that tear off easily can cost you chances.

The best bait is one that stays slim and straight in the water. If it spins on the dropper, it looks unnatural and twists the rig. Trim your bait into narrow strips and hook it so it hangs cleanly. You are aiming for movement, not bulk.

If pickers are thick or the squid are cautious, smaller baits can actually fish better than big ones. That is one of the main trade-offs. A larger bait creates more profile, but it can also lead to missed grabs or more bait theft if the squid are not fully switched on.

One hook or two?

A two-dropper paternoster is the standard setup, but it is not always the best one. If you are fishing clean ground with light current, two hooks let you show two baits at different heights and can help you find what the squid want. It is also useful when they are moving just above the weed line rather than hugging the bottom.

But in stronger current, around heavy weed or when casting from tighter platforms, one hook can be the smarter choice. It tangles less, is easier to cast and gives the bait more room to work. If your two-hook rig keeps fouling, dropping back to one hook is not a step backwards. It is just the better rig for the conditions.

Sinker size and spacing

Sinker choice should match the depth, current and how you are fishing. Too light and the rig lays over, tangles and loses shape. Too heavy and the bait looks dead and the whole setup becomes clunky.

For most squid bait fishing, a small bean, ball or snapper sinker does the job. Keep enough distance between the bottom hook and the sinker so the bait sits above weed and sediment. Around 20 to 30cm is a reliable starting point, but if the bottom is particularly weedy, lengthen that lower section slightly.

There is no perfect measurement that suits every spot. Jetty fishing in calm water is different to drifting over broken reef from a boat. If your bait keeps coming back fouled, increase the spacing. If the rig is tangling on the drop, shorten it a touch.

Where this rig shines

The paternoster really earns its keep when bait fishing from jetties, pontoons, breakwalls and anchored boats. In those situations, you often want the rig sitting nearly straight under you or slightly out from the structure. That keeps the bait visible and controllable.

It also works well when squid are around but not aggressively hitting jigs. That can happen on cold, clear mornings or after the pressure has been high in popular spots. A baited paternoster gives them an easier target, and sometimes that is all it takes.

If you are drifting quickly or casting repeatedly into heavy weed, though, an Egi setup may be the cleaner option. This is one of those it depends situations. The paternoster is excellent for controlled bait fishing, but it is not automatically the best rig for every squid session.

Common mistakes when rigging for squid

Most issues come back to three things - too much hardware, poor bait presentation and droppers that are too long. Heavy swivels, oversized clips and bulky hooks all add clutter. Squid are not line shy in the same way some fish are, but clean presentation still matters.

Another common mistake is using tough bait that is simply too thick. Thick chunks look less natural and can stop the hook from sitting properly. Trim everything neat. If the bait does not hang straight in the water, fix it before you send it back down.

Lastly, do not overwork the rig. A paternoster for squid is usually best fished with small lifts, gentle pauses and steady control. If you are ripping it around like a lure, you are more likely to foul the bait than improve the bite.

Tackle that helps the rig fish better

You do not need an overly specialised outfit, but a rod with a soft enough tip to cushion the grab helps. Squid can latch on and let go quickly, so a forgiving rod and smooth drag give you a better chance of keeping them attached.

Good leader, quality swivels, dependable hooks and correctly sized sinkers make a bigger difference than anglers sometimes think. If one part of the rig is poor, the whole thing becomes harder to fish. That is why having the right terminal tackle on hand matters, especially if you are re-rigging on the spot. If you need to top up before your next squid run, Reel ’N’ Deal Tackle stocks the core gear to build the rig properly without guesswork.

A good squid paternoster is not complicated. Keep it clean, keep the bait straight, and match the rig to the ground you are fishing. When it looks right in the water, you usually know - and the squid tend to agree.