When to use it
On the Wicklow coast
Rough ground and open beaches when fishing whole peeler crab, full sandeel, or mackerel side for bass, smoothhound, and tope. Essential when a standard ledger would strip bait off on a power cast.
The pulley pennel is the rig for Wicklow Head marks and Killoughter when hounds are on peeler in late May through September. It also earns its place at Brittas and Kilcoole when you are casting a whole crab into a headwind for bass. Tie pennel hooks for large baits; a single hook is fine for sandeel.
Rig layout
How it looks tied
Tying sequence
Step by step
Mainline to top swivel
Tie the mainline to a strong size 2 rolling swivel. Everything below this swivel is the rig body.
On the diagram: Top swivel separates mainline from the rig body.
Rig body and pulley
Tie 24 to 36 inches of 60 to 80 lb stiff mono (Amnesia or equivalent) to the lower eye of the top swivel. Thread a bead, then pass the rig body through a pulley swivel. The pulley is the heart of the rig: the hooklink will slide through it.
Lead link and weight
Below the pulley, tie a 6 inch lead link of 60 lb mono and attach a 4 to 6oz breakaway grip on surf beaches, or a plain bomb on rock marks with less run.
Hooklink and pennel hooks
Tie 3 to 4 feet of 40 to 60 lb mono as the hooklink. Pass it through the pulley swivel. At the bait end, tie two hooks in pennel (top hook snood 3 inches, bottom hook on the main hooklink) for crab, or a single 4/0 circle for sandeel. The other end of the hooklink ties to a stop swivel above the pulley.
Cast and fish
On the cast, the hooklink slides down so bait sits near the lead. On splash-down the weight drops and the bait lifts clear of the bottom. Retrieve slowly through snags; the pulley brings the lead up first.
Components
What you need to tie this rig
Each item below is what we actually use on Wicklow marks. Links go to Amazon UK; omit anything you already carry in your tackle box.
Pre-tied pulley rigs (8 pack)
Ready-made pulley rigs for anglers who want to fish immediately. Check hook size matches your target species.
View on AmazonWide-gape circle hooks 4/0
Strong wire circles for pennel mounting of peeler crab and sandeel. Smoothhound and bass standard on Wicklow marks.
View on AmazonAmnesia shock leader mono 60lb
Stiff mono for pulley rig bodies. Holds shape under a heavy lead and protects during rough-ground retrieves.
View on AmazonFFT Pro breakaway grip leads mixed pack
Breakaway grips for surf pulley fishing at distance on open Wicklow beaches.
View on AmazonPulley swivels and beads kit
Pulley swivels and buffer beads for tying your own pulley pennel from scratch.
View on Amazon