Rig · when nothing is happening
How to tie a scratch rig
Fishing. Three small baits, small hooks, short snoods. Built to get a bite from something when the session has gone flat, and to tell you what is actually out there.
Targets
- Dabs
- Whiting
- Small flatfish
Baits. Small worm sections, tiny mackerel slivers
What it is made of
- 1Rig body40 lb mono for light beach and pier work, lighter than a normal beach rig
- 2Take-offsThree, close together, 20 to 25 cm apart
- 3Snoods15 to 20 lb, 15 to 20 cm. Very short
- 4HooksSize 4 to 1. Small on purpose
- 5Lead3 to 4 oz plain
Tie it
- 40 lb body, three close take-offs. Keep it light for pier and close-in beach work.
- Short snoods, shorter than the spacing.
- Small hooks, size 4 up to size 1.
- Small baits, one worm section each.
- Fish it close in on east-coast sand or harbour walls and move if nothing comes.
Small hooks and small baits find fish when big baits get ignored. It will not stop a decent cod, and it is not meant to.
When to fish the scratch rig
The scratch rig is for the days when nothing is happening. Small hooks, short snoods and tiny baits pick up the fish that ignore a normal rig: dabs, small whiting and other small flatfish. It turns a blank into a bite, and it is a useful way to find out what is actually there.
When to leave it in the box
It is not a rig for a specimen. Small hooks on light snoods will not hold a big bass or a cod, and tiny baits do not attract them in the first place.
How it goes wrong
- Baits too big for the hooks, which masks the point and misses the small bites.
- Snoods too long, so the whole rig tangles round itself.
- Casting it hard: a scratch rig is meant to be dropped in close with little fuss.
Other rigs for the same fish
- Flapper
Best for clean beaches. Also takes whiting, dab.
- Three hook flapper
Best for clean beaches. Also takes whiting, dab.
- Wishbone
Best for flatfish and whiting at range. Also takes whiting, flatfish.
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Buy the parts
What you need for the scratch rig
Tagged Amazon.ie links for the published east-coast parts list. Prefer a pre-tied pack when you want to fish now; otherwise buy the hooks, leads, and terminal below.
Buy on Amazon.ie, Dr.Fish pre-tied flapper rigs (6 pack)Pre-tied · primary
Ready three-hook flappers to clip on when you want to fish now.