Sea Angling Rig Book
Page 3
Stop knot material.
1 x hook 2/0 to 6/0
CLIPPED UP SINGLE
Clipped up rigs are normally used for distance casting and long range fishing in deeper water, the idea of the hooked bait being clipped towards the top of the rig is to stop worm baits etc. being blown up the hook length during the cast, this tends to happen quite a lot when casting long distances coupled with worm baits on standard paternoster type rigs.
One of the best weights to use with this rig is the one shown, a dumpy, this will allow the rig to roll around on the bottom, note there is no bottom swivel, this is not an oversight, using a bottom swivel actually cuts down and in some circumstances prevents the rig moving around.
PARTS LIST
1 x Swivel.
1 x Three way swivel.
1 x Bait clip & rubber tubing.
1 x Hook size 1/0 to 6/0.
1 x 18 inch Shockleader material.
1 x 24 inch Shockleader material.
1 x 18 inches hook length material.
As with most rigs the shockleader material used for the rig body should be the same or stronger than that used on your reel.
CLIPPED UP TWIN
Very different to the clipped up single the clipped up twin not only has two hook lengths but the bottom one is slightly longer than the lower rig body, this gives the angler two styles of fishing as the lower hook stays very close to the bottom.
This rig can however be adapted so that the lower hook stays slightly up in the water in the same way a paternoster works.
PARTS LIST
1 x Swivel.
2 x Three way swivels.
2 x Bait clips & rubber tubing.
2 x Hook size 1/0 to 6/0.
1 x 18 inch Shockleader material.
1 x 24 inch Shockleader material.
1 x 12 inch Shockleader material.
1 x 14 inches hook length material.
1 x 18 inches hook length material.
This is a very good all round rig, but to move the baited hook off the sea bed simply reverse the two lower shockleader pieces so that the longer piece is at the bottom.
UP & OVER FLOUNDER RIG
This is basically the same as the previous rig with only two main differences, firstly the hook length has a number of brightly coloured beads on it, these act as an attractant and secondly the hook size, as flounder have relatively small mouths compared to most other species.
In this case the longer the rig/trace body the better the hook length will move around in the tidal flow.
It is good practice to either use a rig making board or a nail fixed in the wall to hang the rig body whilst fitting the hook length, if the latter is used attach a weight to the end of the body, it will make things a little easier.
PARTS LIST
24 to 48” Shockleader material.
48 to 96” Hook length material.
1 x Size 1 to 2/0 hook.
1 x Bait clip & tube.
1 x Bait shield & tube.
1 x Swivel.
1 x Three way swivel.
2 x Lead clips/links.
Stop knot material, above bait shield bead.
Up to 12 Beads, various colours.
Note a crimp may be used instead of a stop knot.
SIMPLE RUNNING LEDGER SPINNING RIG
This light line rig is mainly used for flatfish, in slow moving currents in tidal estuaries; beads can be added to this rig as an attractor. This rig can also be used from the rocks and beach as a light spinning rig. The weight used is designed to run up and down the shockleader.
PARTS LIST
1 Barrel Lead 1.1-3ozs.
1 Bead. 1 Small Swivel.
18-24” Light Hook Length.1 Hook, Size 1-2/0.
FLATFISH SNOOD
This beaded snood can be used on many different rigs, just by clipping it in place on the main rig body, directly to a swivel. The main use is for Plaice, Dab, Turbot and Flounder.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 1 Crimp. 6-12 Assorted Beads.
12-24” Of Hook Length. 1 Hook, Size 1-2/0.
FLOUNDER RIG SINGLE
The flounder rig is very similar to the paternoster single with just a few modifications, first the bait shield and then the multi coloured beads on the hook length.
This rig is perfect for winter flounder fishing in estuaries around the united kingdom, but there is still room for improvement, simply by attaching to the lead end of the flounder twin via the lead link you have a triple hooked trace, however this is only possible if you follow the construction of the twin to the letter and use bait clips on the twin.
This rig will catch, with the right bait, flounder, plaice, whiting, cod, dab and mackerel.
PARTS LIST
24” of shockleader material.
12 to 18” Hook length material.
1 x size 1 to 2/0 BLN or Aberdeen hook.
1 x Three way swivel.
1 x Standard swivel.
1 x lead link/clip.
1 x Bait shield, tube and small bead.
Up to 12 various colour beads.
Stop knot material.
Note a crimp may be used in place of stop knot.
FLOUNDER RIG TWIN
Again this rig resembles the paternoster twin, but with a few modifications, if you intend to use this rig in
conjunction with the flounder single you must use bait clips as a shield used on this rig will upset the casting balance and may cause a tangle of hook lengths, if
however you intend to use this rig on its own it is best to use a bait shield on the lower hook length.
When making this rig as with any other you must use the appropriate shockleader material to suit the lead being used, in the case of estuary fishing it is better to go up one level as you may find yourself using a heavier weight just to hold the rig to the bottom.
PARTS LIST
36” of appropriate shockleader material.
2 x 12 to 14” Hook length material.
2 x size 1 to 2/0 BLN or Aberdeen hooks.
2 x Three way swivels.
1 x Standard swivel.
1 x Lead clip/link.
2 x Bait clips and tube.
Up to 24 various coloured beads.
As with most rigs a lead link can be connected to the top of this rig for quick change should it be needed?
PENNEL HOOK SNOOD
This hook system can be used with most rigs by clipping it to an existing swivel and is mainly used for larger fish such as Bass, Cod, Pollack, Dogfish, Bull Huss and small Conger Eels. Please note this is attached to a paternoster single type rig.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 12-20” Of Heavy Hook Length.
1 Hook, Size 2/0-3/0. 1 Hook, Size 4/0-6/0.
WISHBONE SNOOD
This hook snood can be used in the same way as the Pennel snood; Built with medium to heavy line, this snood can be used for medium to long distance over slightly snaggy ground. Used for catching Bass, Cod, Whiting, Pollack, Bull Huss and dogfish.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 1 Medium to Heavy Swivel.
2 x 12” Medium Hook Lengths.
2 x Hook, Size 2/0-6/0.
COALFISH SNOOD
This snood can be used, fished deep on a float system or on the bottom, on various other rigs. Placing a starlight in the piece of tube on this rig, helps to attract Coalfish, this snood works well fished after dark, for Scad also.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 1 Small to Medium swivel.
2 x Beads. 2 x Crimps. 1 Starlight and Tube.
12-20” Of Suitable Hook Length.1 Hook, Size 3/0.
BOTTOM RIG
This rig is mainly used for light bottom fishing,
the hook length can be varied to suit casting and fish species, i.e. if the area to be fished has restricted room, then a shorter hook length should be used, however if fishing for Cod etc. then this requires a longer trace.
PARTS LIST
1 Medium Swivel. 1 Three way Swivel. Lead Clip.
18-30” of Hook Length. 1 Hook, Size
MPD SAND HUGGER SINGLE
The Mpd Sand hugger is designed to hold the bait on or just over the sea bed, it is in most respects a two piece rig set up as the barrel lead is placed onto the shockleader with a bead either side acting as a shock absorber against the leader knots, when using this set up you MUST NOT exceed 6ounces in total lead weight, the best combination is a 1 or 2ounce barrel and a 3 or 4ounce grip, the grip lead should be used as it acts as the main anchor for the entire rig.
This rig is mainly used for bottom feeders like Rays, Flattish etc., however Bass do take baits on this set up.
PARTS LIST
1 x Barrel Lead.
2 x Beads.
1 x three way swivel.
1 x swivel.
1 x bait clip and tubing.
1 x Grip Lead
1 x Hook size 1/0 to 6/0.
1 x 8 inch shockleader material.
1 x 24 inch shockleader material.
1 x 18 inch Hook length material.
Remember the barrel lead must go on to the existing shockleader on the end of your mainline, please note this can be hard to cast any great distance.
MPD SAND HUGGER TWIN
The Sand hugger rigs are ideally suited for the clean sandy beaches and estuaries, these also work very well from the boat and rock marks, however it is not recommended for use over rough ground.
The twin rig is slightly harder to cast, due to its length, however this can be adjusted to the anglers own specifications but if it is made too short it does have a habit of getting tangled.
These rigs work well with crab, worm and fish baits, use a wider beak hook for crab.
PARTS LIST
1 x Barrel Lead.
2 x Beads.
2 x three way swivel.
1 x swivel.
2 x bait clip and tubing.
1 x Grip Lead
2 x Hooks size 1/0 to 6/0.
1 x 8 inch shockleader material.
1 x 20 inch shockleader material.
1 x 24 inch shockleader material.
1 x 14 inch Hook length material.
1 x 18 inch Hook length material.
As with the single rig the barrel slides up and down the shockleader.
The following four pieces of end tackle are normally used for catching flatfish; however these do work in cloudy water for most other species including Bass, Cod, Coalfish, Pollack, Whiting, Mackerel and so on.
The use of beads either plain coloured or illumines have been used for many years and have a tried and tested record, using these on other traces will almost certainly work with most species when the fishing is slow.
Spoons are another part in the tackle box that tend to be used when fishing for different members of flatfish, again, these can be used for attracting other species and work very well when spun for Mackerel, Pollack and Bass, try them you may just be surprised.
FLATFISH SPOON AND RIG
A variation of a normal flatfish rig, this set up can be used in slight currents and can also be retrieved slowly to help attract the fish. It is always best to remember, to use smaller hooks for flatfish.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 1 Small swivel. 1 Flatfish Spoon.
1 Three Way Swivel. 1 Weight Clip.
12-24” Of Shockleader
10-18” Of Light Hook Length. 2 x Split Rings, these may be needed, if not supplied with spoon.
ATTRACTOR RIG
This rig can be purchased as one part, sometimes without the hook length. This rig is ideal for spinning worm baits across the bottom, mainly in estuaries. Mainly used for Flounder, this rig will catch other flatfish, with slight alterations to the hook and length.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 1 Crimp. 3-9 Beads. 1 Attractor Rig.
18” Of Light Hook Length. 1 Hook, Size 1-2/0.
SONAR TYPE ATTRACTOR
The spoon on this rig has slots cut out of it, this helps it to vibrate when it is retrieved through the water, and in doing so helps to attract the fish. This rig will work with most flatfish.
PARTS LIST
1 Snap Link. 3 Crimps. 6-10 Beads.
1 Sonar Attractor. 18” of Light Hook Length.
1 Flatfish Hook, Size 1-2/0.
INLINE FLOUNDER SPOON
Purchased in one piece, these Flounder spoons will work with most flat fish, if the right bait is used.
It is often better to change the hook length and hook, these are normally short and the hooks can be blunt, in changing the hook length it is also possible to place coloured beads on this rig to act as an extra attractor.
PARTS LIST
1 Flounder Spoon. 12-18” Of Light Hook Length.
1 Crimp. 3-12 Coloured Beads. 1 x 1-2/0 hook.
The above spoon is one of many that can be purchased from angling centres around the United Kingdom, these come in a variety of shapes, patterns and weights.
Spoons are best used for spinning, whether its for flatfish, Mackerel or even Bass, spoons used correctly can be deadly for a number of species, as stated above the diagram it is better to remove any hook already attached and substitute it with a hook length and replacement hook.
This method also works very well from the boat, however substitute the hook length for a 6 to 12” wire trace line, if making this up yourself you will need small crimps to secure the spoon and hook length.
SPINNING RIG
This rig is mainly used for light spinning with rubber lures (Red Gills etc.) or Mackerel spinners; however this can also be used with live or frozen Sandeels. Cast out from beaches or the rocks this method can be deadly for Bass, Pollack, Mackerel, Scad and Garfish.
PARTS LIST
4 Beads. 2 bits silicon tubing. 2 x Small Swivels.
1 Barrel Weight to suit. 6-8” Of Shockleader.
12-24” Of Light Hook Length.
1 Rubber Sandeel etc. or 1 Hook, Size 2/0-3/0.
PLUGGING RIG
This is the easiest trace to make and is very basic, having a snap link at either end makes it easy to change plugs at a moment’s notice.
These can be purchased ready made up out of wire trace Material from most good angling shops see over page.
PARTS LIST
2 x Snap Links. 1 x Small Swivel.
24” light line/braid 8-12lbs, for use as the trace body.
READY MADE WIRE TRACE
These can be purchased from a wide range of angling shops and internet shops, they are available in a variety of lengths and breaking strains, if using one of these for spinning from the shore it is best to use the short light weight version.
HEAVY RUNNING LEDGER
This heavy running ledger is mainly used in conjunction with a heavy main line, and is tied directly to the shockleader at the swivel at the top of the trace. this is mainly used for fishing for Conger Eels.
PARTS LIST
2 x Heavy Swivels. 2 x Beads. 2 x Heavy Crimps.
1 Length Wire Trace Line. 1 Hook, Size 6/0-8/0.
MACKEREL TRACE
Although this trace can be home made, it can be very time consuming, therefore it is probably best to purchase these from your local tackle dealer. This rig comes in many different forms, one of the more popular being the silver shrimp, these come in packs of three, four and six, if fishing in competition, only three hooks are allowed to be used as most rules state only three hooks are allowed in the water at any one time during competition.
Mackerel feathers can quite easily
be made by the angler, however as they only cost a few pence to buy readymade it is better to but them from an angling shop, good angling suppliers have a wide range of mackerel feathers, silver shrimps and numerous other patterns to choose from. To make the above trace you will need to practice knot tying, first tie a swivel and clip on each end of 56” of shockleader material.