When to use it
On the Wicklow coast
General bottom fishing on beaches, piers, and estuaries. Calm to moderate conditions. Flooding tide for bass close in; any tide for flounder, dogfish, and dab. Works from 20 to 80 metres on most Wicklow marks.
The running ledger is the everyday rig at Kilcoole, Brittas, Silver Strand, Greystones Harbour wall, and the Breaches estuary outflow. Short cast with peeler at 30 to 40 metres in a coloured easterly surf is a proven Wicklow bass pattern. On piers, swap the grip lead for a plain bomb and fish worm for whiting and flounder.
Interactive rig
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Tap any numbered marker for what the part does, the size to buy, alternatives, and a tackle link.
Tap any numbered marker on the rig, or use the part chips, for purpose, spec, alternatives, and tackle links.
Zip slider
Running boom · part 1 of 5
Lets the lead run freely on the mainline above the stop swivel.
This is what makes the ledger "running": a fish can move off with the bait without dragging the lead, so it feels no resistance.
Spec
Standard zip slider boom plus a 5 mm bead.
Alternatives
Bead-and-link slider, oval running bead.
Tying sequence
Step by step
Thread the slider
Thread the mainline through a zip slider or bead-and-slider combo. Slide on your lead (2 to 5oz bomb on pier; 3 to 5oz breakaway grip on surf beaches).
On the diagram
Lead runs freely above the stop swivel.
Stop swivel
Tie a size 4 barrel or rolling swivel to the end of the mainline. The slider hits this swivel and stops; the hooklink hangs below.
Hooklink and hook
Tie 18 to 24 inches of 15 to 20 lb mono or fluorocarbon to the lower eye of the swivel. For bass use 24 inches; for flatfish 12 to 18 inches is enough. Finish with size 1/0 to 2/0 for bass, size 1 to 2 for flounder and dab.
Bait and cast
Mount peeler, ragworm, or mackerel strip. Cast to your chosen distance and set the rod in a rest with a slight bend in the tip. Use a bait clip on the lead if casting far with a soft bait.
Strike and land
A knock followed by a steady pull usually means a fish. Lift into the fish; circles can be fished without a hard strike. Keep pressure steady on rough Wicklow shingle when retrieving.
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.
Zip slider booms and beads
Running ledger sliders for mainline. Pair with a bead above the lead to protect your knot.
View on AmazonFFT Pro breakaway grip leads mixed pack
Grip leads for surf ledgering when the tide runs on Wicklow open beaches.
View on AmazonPhoxinus Aberdeen hooks 1/0
All-round shore hook for worm and crab on a running ledger. The same pack covers bass and flatfish sessions.
View on AmazonSeaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader
Fluorocarbon hooklink for clear water and line-shy bass at Brittas and Kilcoole.
View on AmazonAni-Safe bait elastic dispenser
Secures ragworm and soft baits to the hook for casting on a running ledger without a clip rig.
View on Amazon