Rig · two baits, one clip
How to tie a wishbone rig
Fishing. Two baits land within a few inches of each other after the clip releases. Worth it on east-coast sand when whiting or flatfish are packed into one spot.
Targets
- Whiting
- Flatfish
Baits. Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel strip
What it is made of
- 1Rig bodyAbout 1 m of 60 to 80 lb mono
- 2Impact shield and bait clipClip both hooks for the cast; release on splashdown
- 3Main snood20 to 30 lb mono, about 500 mm to a small swivel
- 4Hook snoodsTwo equal arms of 15 to 20 lb through the small swivel
- 5HooksTwo, size 1 to 2 Aberdeen
- 6Lead4 to 5 oz breakaway
Tie it
- Cut about 1 m of 60 to 80 lb body. Fit an impact shield and bait clip so both hooks pin for the cast.
- Tie a main snood of 20 to 30 lb, about 500 mm, ending in a small swivel.
- From that swivel, two equal hook snoods of 15 to 20 lb.
- Size 1 to 2 hooks on each arm. Clip both in before the cast.
- Match bait size on both hooks. Unequal baits spin the wishbone.
Equal arms and equal baits, or it will spin on the cast and tangle every time.
When to fish the wishbone
The wishbone puts two baits on one clip, so both are held tight to the rig in flight and released together on impact. You get most of the distance of a clipped rig with two baits instead of one, which is exactly what whiting and flatfish at range call for.
When to leave it in the box
It is more fiddly than a flapper and gains nothing at short range. Over rough ground the two hooks are two snags, and the clip adds another thing to jam.
How it goes wrong
- Snoods of unequal length that will not sit in the clip together.
- Baits too big to stay clipped, so they tear free on the cast.
- Not checking the clip released: a bait still clipped up on the seabed catches nothing.
Other rigs for the same fish
- Scratch rig
Best for slow sessions. Also takes whiting, small flatfish.
- Flapper
Best for clean beaches. Also takes whiting.
- Three hook flapper
Best for clean beaches. Also takes whiting.
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Buy the parts
What you need for the wishbone
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, Shore fishing rigs mixed pack (12 pack)Pre-tied · primary
Mixed shore patterns for ledger, flapper, and paternoster sessions.