Rig · match fishing
How to tie a three-hook flapper rig
Fishing. Three baits at three heights covers more water and finds what is feeding. This is the rig that wins matches on a slow evening.
Targets
- Whiting
- Dab
- Dogfish
- Coalfish
Baits. Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel strip, small squid
What it is made of
- 1Rig body60 lb mono, about 90 cm to fit three take-offs
- 2Top swivelSize 4 rolling swivel
- 3Take-offsThree sets of bead, three-way, bead, 30 cm apart
- 4Snoods20 to 25 lb, graduated: longest on top, shortest at the bottom
- 5HooksSize 2 to 1/0 Aberdeen for general work, or size 4 when scratching
- 6Lead4 oz plain, distance is not the point
Tie it
- Cut 90 cm of body, swivel on one end.
- Three take-offs, 30 cm apart, each trapped by stop knots.
- Lead link on the tag end.
- Tie graduated snoods: longest on the top take-off, shortest at the bottom. Keep each shorter than the spacing to its neighbour.
- Same hook size throughout so you can bait fast: size 2 to 1/0, or size 4 for scratching.
Three baits at short range beats one bait at distance on a slow day. Graduated lengths reduce tangles; do not make the bottom snood as long as the top.
When to fish the three hook flapper
Three hooks means three baits in the water, which is what you want when small fish are plentiful and every bite counts: whiting and dab through the dark months, and match fishing where the scoreboard is weight or number. On clean beaches it lets you spread baits up the rig and learn at what height the fish are feeding.
When to leave it in the box
It is the least aerodynamic rig in the library. Three trailing baits cost real distance, and over any rough ground three hooks is three times the tackle loss. For a single better fish, one well-presented big bait beats three small ones.
How it goes wrong
- Take-offs spaced so the snoods overlap and wrap round the body.
- Heavy baits on all three hooks, which kills the cast outright.
- Fishing it where it is not needed. On a quiet day one or two hooks are easier to manage.
Other rigs for the same fish
- Flapper
Best for clean beaches. Also takes whiting, dab, coalfish.
- Scratch rig
Best for slow sessions. Also takes dabs, whiting.
- Paternoster
Best for deep water at your feet. Also takes coalfish.
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Buy the parts
What you need for the three hook flapper
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.