Rigs · 01 of 03 · Beach and rough ground, big baits, distance
One rig for smoothhound, bass, tope and ray from an open beach, big baits cast a long way. Step through it, the drawing builds as you go.
01Leader to top swivel. The shock leader ends at a strong swivel. Everything below it is the rig, so this is the knot to get right.
LIVE ON THE COAST
Wind, swell, and tide for Bray to Arklow right now.
Sunrise
7:28 AM
Dawn
Wind
S 6 km/h
Light
Swell
0.3m
Small
Sea temp
16°C
Comfortable
High water
17:10 Sat
Flooding
Weather and sea data from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), adapted into our fishing calls. Tides: Marine Institute / Dublin Port timing. SourcesHow our calls work
ALL RIGS
Every card opens a drawn diagram with numbered parts. Verified guides also carry east-coast context, tying steps, and a tackle list.
Field-checked east-coast specs, tying steps, tackle lists, and tagged Amazon.ie buy links.
Easy · Tie · 4 min
Easy · Tie · 6 min
Very easy · Tie · 3 min
Easy · Tie · 3 min
Easy · Tie · 4 min
Easy · Tie · 5 min
Easy · Tie · 4 min
Moderate · Tie · 8 min
Easy · Tie · 6 min
Easy · Tie · 5 min
Moderate · Tie · 8 min
Moderate · Tie · 8 min
Easy · Tie · 4 min
Easy · Tie · 5 min
Moderate · Tie · 5 min
Easy · Tie · 3 min
WHICH RIG WHEN
| Rig | Best for | Target fish | Baits | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flapper | Clean beaches | Whiting, Flounder, Dab, Coalfish, Small cod | Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel strip | Easy |
| Three hook flapper | Clean beaches | Whiting, Dab, Dogfish, Coalfish | Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel strip, small squid | Easy |
| Running ledger | Estuaries, bass marks | Bass, Flounder, Mullet | Ragworm, peeler crab, sandeel | Very easy |
| Pennel | Big baits | Cod, Bass, Rays | Big lugworm bunches, whole squid, mackerel fillet | Easy |
| Pulley | Rough ground | Cod, Bass, Rays, Conger | Whole squid, big worm baits, mackerel fillet | Easy |
| Pulley pennel | Rough ground | Cod, Bass, Huss, Conger eel | Whole squid, big lug and squid cocktails, mackerel fillet | Easy |
| Paternoster | Deep water at your feet | Pollack, Wrasse, Coalfish, Mackerel | Ragworm, mackerel strip, sandeel | Easy |
| Wishbone | Flatfish and whiting at range | Whiting, Flatfish | Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel strip | Moderate |
| Scratch rig | Slow sessions | Dabs, Whiting, Small flatfish | Small worm sections, tiny mackerel slivers | Easy |
| Single hook clipped down | Bass at range | Bass, Large cod | Whole crab, big rag, sandeel | Easy |
| Two hook clipped down | Distance on clean ground | Cod, Bass, Whiting | Worm, squid strip, small fish baits | Moderate |
| Up and over | Big surf, long casts | Cod, Bass, Rays | Big worm baits, squid, crab | Moderate |
| Rotten bottom | Heavy rock and kelp | Conger, Huss, Rock species | Whole squid, mackerel fillet, crab | Easy |
| Float rig | Piers, harbour walls, rock edges | Garfish, Mackerel, Pollack, Mullet | Mackerel strip, ragworm, bread for mullet | Easy |
| Flying collar | Deep rock marks, pier ends | Bass, Pollack | Sandeel, redgill, soft plastic lures | Moderate |
| Texas and Carolina | Lure marks, weed and rock | Bass | Soft plastic senkos, creature baits, paddle tails | Easy |
KNOTS
Every rig on this page comes down to the same three knots. Practise them at home with old line before you tie on the beach in the wind.
The one knot that ties hooks, swivels, and lead links. Learn this first.
Quick, strong loops for snood attachments and loop-to-loop lead links.
Joins 15lb mainline to the 60lb leader that takes the force of the cast.
Always wet a knot before pulling it tight. Dry mono heats as it seats and loses strength. If a knot looks untidy, cut it off and tie it again.
PLAN
Live verdict, tides, and a scored plan for your session on the Irish east coast.
See today's planWHERE TO FISH
Scored Dublin and Wicklow marks with access notes, species, and today's conditions.
Browse 20 marksNEW HERE?
One rig that works on almost every Irish east-coast mark and teaches what the others build on.
Running ledger guideThree rigs cover almost every Irish shore session: running ledger, pulley and paternoster. When to use each, how to tie them, and the sizes that work.
Read the full guide · 7 min readThis article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Most Irish shore anglers fish with far more complicated rigs than they need. The reality is that three rigs cover the vast majority of shore fishing situations on Wicklow beaches and piers. Master these three and you will be better equipped than most anglers you meet on the beach. Complexity does not catch more fish, presentation and fresh bait do.
Best for: Bass, flounder, smoothhound, dogfish, all general beach fishing
Tip
Use a long hooklink (24 inches or more) for bass, they are line shy and a long trace gives a more natural bait presentation.
Best for: Distance casting with large baits, bass, smoothhound, tope
Tip
The pulley rig is the standard distance rig for Wicklow beaches. It aerodynamically streamlines the bait during the cast, protecting it and increasing casting distance.
Best for: Whiting, dab, mackerel, mixed bags from beach and pier
Tip
The paternoster presents two baits at different heights in the water column, ideal for whiting and dab which often feed at different levels depending on conditions.
Lead choice is as important as rig choice on Wicklow beaches. The strong tidal run on beaches like Greystones South and The Murrough demands breakaway grip leads that anchor in the sand and hold bottom against the current. Use plain bomb leads only in very calm, slack water conditions. As a rule: if the tide is running, use a breakaway. Weights for Wicklow beach fishing range from 3oz in calm conditions up to 6oz in strong currents and heavy surf.
Size 1 / 1/0
Flounder, dab, small whiting, fine wire Aberdeen pattern
Size 2/0 / 3/0
Bass, whiting, dogfish, standard Aberdeen or wide gape
Size 4/0 / 5/0
Smoothhound, larger bass, wide gape strong wire
Size 6/0+
Tope, conger, strong forged pattern essential
Recommended gear
Pre-tied rigs and terminal tackle for Irish shore fishing, skip the tying and get fishing faster.
Affiliate links, we earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Luroad Pre-tied Pulley Rigs (5 pack)
Ready-to-use single and double pulley rigs, ideal for distance casting with large baits for bass and smoothhound. Saves time tying on the beach.
View on AmazonDr.Fish Pre-tied Flapper Rigs (6 pack)
Three-hook flapper rigs ready to use, perfect for whiting, dab and mixed bags from beach and pier. No tying required.
View on AmazonShore Fishing Rigs Mixed Pack (12 pack)
Mixed pack of pre-tied beach casting rigs with 2/0 and 3/0 hooks, a great starter selection covering most Irish shore fishing situations.
View on AmazonFlapper Rigs 2/0 (6 pack)
Two-hook flapper rigs with 2/0 needle point hooks, well suited to whiting and flatfish on Wicklow beaches in autumn and winter.
View on AmazonSeaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
High-grade fluorocarbon hooklink material, low visibility in clear water, excellent abrasion resistance. Top choice for bass hooklinks on Wicklow beaches.
View on AmazonSinker Float Stops (300 pack)
Bead and float stops for running ledger rigs, used to stop zip sliders and beads on the mainline. A small but essential terminal tackle item.
View on AmazonPlan your next session
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