Fishing Rigs - Making you own Fishing Rigs

[audiracer]

i tought john everyyhing he knows about rig making and he's pinched my ideas and posted them on this site

only joking mate thanks for all the advice

[Ben]

what if its just replacing a hook lentgh?? if you say catch a doggie which messes up the hook lentgh line?? do you throw it away or just repair the line by replacing it??

[DownSouth]

Throw it away mate! Why spend time re-attaching a hook length when your bait can be in the water catching fish? All for the sake of a couple of quid. I always have a spare rig baited and ready to go hanging off the tripod, so it's just a case of swopping over and back out there. I tend to change my bait every 10 minutes anyway. Most of my shore fishing recently has been match events and there is no way I am going to spend time doing a fix job.

I can think of nothing worse than hunting around my tackle bag for spare hook lengths of the right size when andyg is landing fish next to me, especially at night as that's when I tend to fish.

It's just a matter of preference Ben. I admire those who have the patience and time to make good quality rigs, but it's just not for me. The last thing I want is a rig I made to fail, infact, I think that is worse than a shop bought one failing.

[Old Smoothound]

Hi Guys,
Sorry but have been busy tying up some IOW rigs with interchangeable bits and bobs on, Goats tails, hens teeth , bells and whistles etc!

I tie my own rigs and feel this is part of the “fishing experience” as well as being cost effective; I also do it for other people.

My basic “in my wallet rigs” consist of the following:

One hook Impact shielded – Long distance big baits (squid etc) Sometimes pennelled

Long and Low (to use on Breakaway impact Leads) – Ultra long distance for Rays & Plaice extra short in the body for compaction and aero dynamics, sometimes 10” when rigged, overall 20” when fishing on the bottom

2 up 1 Down with Carp rig tubing on bottom snood – Scratching Flatties, eels etc; worm, small mackie and squid slither baits.

3 hook clipped flapper rig, cascade swivels – general pathfinder rig, worm and fish baits. Close and longer range.

Wishbone rigs – Out and out flatties rig (see Kiwi Marty he has one of mine)

Pulley Rig clipped to impact shield – Standard Channel rig for rough ground

I keep a Shakespeare rigs and bobs box with the following inside (just in case)

Mini rig crimps
Genie Swivel and links
Cascade swivels
Genie link clips
Genie rig clips
Genie breakers (rotten bottoms)
Impact shields
Lead lifts
Fast links for leads
80lbs Tuff Stuff – For all rig bodies (softer than Suffix) in Clear and Yellow (good knotting properties)
20lb Memorex or Ultima Super Snood - Clear
30lb Memorex or Ultima Super Snood – Clear
20lb Super snood black- For mud terrain flatty and scratching rigs
Best of all Fluro Carbon in 25lb and 35lbs - invisible in water and stiff as hell!
Size 10 crane swivels
Size 8 snood swivels
5mm Fluo Beads
8mm Fluo Beads
5mm Luminous Aero beads
8mm Luminous Aero beads
Sequins usually silver (from hobby craft)
Hooks in sizes 6 -8/0 in Varivas big mouth (big baits, Squid, Sandeel, ), Varivas Saltwater champions (worm baits), Aberdeen’s (worm baits)
Power gum for stop knots

I tend to use stop knots on my clipped up and down rigs as you can vary the snood tension easily.

I use long nose electrical pliers and a pair of Boots large toenail clippers on a zinger (ex-fly fishing); which is retractable and you don’t loose them! Just pin it to you!

My rigs and bobs box also holds what I want for my boat fishing, booms, zip sliders etc.

Cheers
Shaun
Old Smoothy Gar

[DownSouth]

Of course there is another reason I forgot to mention to throw them, especially if you have fished over rough ground, and that is that they are probably shot anyway after a session. Just have a look at how damaged your mono main line and hook lengths next time your out. I gave my rigs a once over after a recent Kimmeridge trip and they were awful. Would you trust it again? Imagine landing that clonker Cod this winter on a dodgy rig, and all of a sudden, twang, and a loose line. Gutted comes to mind.

[kiwimarty]

We again bow to the guru.

Had that rig out for the first time today to have a look!!!!!

Excellent quality Shaun as I would expect from you.....just like mine! Honest.

[kiwimarty]

Originally Posted by DownSouth

Of course there is another reason I forgot to mention to throw them, especially if you have fished over rough ground, and that is that they are probably shot anyway after a session. Just have a look at how damaged your mono main line and hook lengths next time your out. I gave my rigs a once over after a recent Kimmeridge trip and they were awful. Would you trust it again? Imagine landing that clonker Cod this winter on a dodgy rig, and all of a sudden, twang, and a loose line. Gutted comes to mind.

I have had this happen. Well pointed out.

[Ben]

i like old smoothound think it is part of the experience as well, not only this but i think its a waste of money throwing away a rig cause you cant b arsed to spend 2 mins fixing it, i dont mean fixing it at the beach, i mean at home after each session

[DownSouth]

Ben,

Firstly, what I can or cannot be arsed to do is really down to me.

I just have no interest in making rigs. Why does this seem so alien to you? I am studying full-time, I also work freelance to pay my way through Uni, I have a wife and 2 small children who see little of me as it is, so why the hell should I spend what little spare time I do have 'fixing rigs' when I can spend it with them...

As for a waste of money, I again disagree. My rigs are generally not fit for a second outing and to be honest, salvaging a few beads and swivels doesn't exactly fill me with a great deal of excitement, but if you wish, I'll save them all for you.

And hopefully, you'll do me the favour of letting me disagree with you that, it is all part of the fishing experience.

[JuanPablo]

yeah i empathise completely with downsouths work/family situation. personally i enjoy tying rigs just like ben but if i have a lot of work on and a nagging girlfriend i just dont have the time nor inclination to bother - i have a check thru the rig wallet and just buy ready tied rigs to cover me for the next few sessions.
downsouth c-rigs are in burryport somewhere which is about 3miles from my home! i checked out their website and am very impressed - a good choice of rigs for every type of venue and excellent components used. will definately be buying some samples!!

in an ideal world i would be sitting in my workshop gently carving a piece of wood into the shape of a rapala and feeling the accomplishment of catching a double figure bass on my 'home made bait'.......sorry ive gone off on one....