There is one rig that newcomers to recreational fishing meet first and that seasoned anglers can never do without: the sabiki rig, known locally as capari. Able to bring up several fish in a single haul, simple to set up yet highly productive, this method is especially loved in the bountiful waters of the Istanbul Bosphorus. In this guide we answer, in the clearest possible way, the questions of what a sabiki rig is, which fish it is used for and how to use a sabiki rig.

What Is a Sabiki Rig?

A sabiki rig is a fishing set-up made up of several short droppers tied at regular intervals along a main line, each ending in a feathered or brightly decorated hook. The coloured feathers, tinsel or shiny beads on the hooks imitate small fish or insects in the water, drawing the fish to bite. A weight tied to the bottom of the rig takes it down to the desired depth.

The greatest advantage of the sabiki rig is the chance to catch several fish at once with its multiple hooks. This makes it extremely productive, especially with fish that travel in schools.

How Do You Set Up a Sabiki Rig?

A sturdy, well-balanced sabiki rig directly determines how productive your trip will be. The basic components can be listed as follows:

  • Main line: This is the carrier line running from the rod to the rig; it should be chosen at a thickness suited to the size of the fish.
  • Droppers with hooks: Usually between five and seven droppers are tied to the main line at set intervals. It is important that the droppers are short enough not to tangle around the main line.
  • Decoration: Hooks dressed with feathers, tinsel or beads are chosen according to how murky the water is and which fish you are targeting. Plainer dressings work in clear water, brighter ones in murky water.
  • Weight: Tied to the very bottom of the rig; its weight is adjusted to the strength of the current and the depth being fished.

Ready-made sabiki rigs can be found in shops, but many experienced anglers prefer to build their own, because they can customise the dropper length and hook spacing to suit the water conditions.

How Is Sabiki Fishing Done in the Bosphorus?

Sabiki fishing in the Bosphorus takes a little technique, since it is practised in an environment where the current is strong and the fish move in schools. Here is how to do it, step by step:

  • Lowering the rig: Let the weight take the rig all the way to the bottom, and when you feel it touch down, reel in one turn to lift the rig slightly off the seabed.
  • The jigging technique: Raise and lower the rod rhythmically. This movement makes the dressed hooks quiver like live bait and attracts the fish.
  • Searching the depths: Fish are not always on the bottom. Work the rig at different levels to find which layer the school is in.
  • Reading the strike: When you feel a weight or vibration on the rod, you know a fish has hit. Start reeling in with a steady, unhurried movement; because there are several hooks, waiting a little means more fish.

Which Fish Are Caught With a Sabiki Rig?

The sabiki rig is effective with fish that travel in schools. In the waters of the Bosphorus, horse mackerel above all, along with chub mackerel, cinekop-sized bluefish and at times other pelagic fish, are brought up with this method. When you come across a school of horse mackerel in particular, several of the sabiki's hooks can fill at once.

Small Tips That Boost Your Catch

  • Light and colour: Be ready to change the colour of the dressing according to the weather and water conditions; sometimes a single change of colour multiplies your catch.
  • Adding bait: Adding small pieces of bait to the dressed hooks can draw strikes even from reluctant fish.
  • Preventing tangles: Move in a controlled way as you lower and raise the rig to stop the droppers from tangling with one another.
  • The right hour: Early morning and late afternoon are the times when the fish are most active.

Being in the Right Spot Makes the Difference

Although the sabiki is a simple rig, the real difference comes from being in the right spot where the fish gather. Heading out on a boat that knows the current lines of the Bosphorus and the areas where the schools roam can have you coming back with a full bucket of fish within a few hours.

If you would like to learn the sabiki technique hands-on and fish the most productive spots in the Bosphorus, an enjoyable day awaits you on the fishing tours we organise with our well-equipped boats and experienced crew.