terminal tackle _ rigs

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FACT SHEET: Terminal Tackle & Rigs

Terminal Tackle & RigsTerminal Tackle & RigsTerminal Tackle & RigsTerminal Tackle & Rigs Hooks and sinkers are the nuts and bolts of bait fishing and can be the difference between catching fish and just feeding them. There is a degree of personal preference when selecting terminal tackle and rigging up, but lets have a look at some common hook and sinker selections and the two most commonly used rigs in Australia.

HooksHooksHooksHooks

There are many different types of hooks because there are many different types of fish, different types of bait and different styles of fishing. The type of hook you need depends largely upon the mouth of the fish you want to catch and the way it feeds - its size, shape, and structure.

The hook numbering system can be a bit tricky for those getting into fishing but once you understand how it works it makes it much easier to select the right hook.

(Smaller) 12,10,8,6,4,2,1111, 1/0,2/0,3/0,4/0,5/0, 6/0 (Larger)

Within our range a 12 is about the smallest, working up in size but down in number to a 1 which is our centre point. From 1 we then add a /0 (pronounced one oh, two oh) up in size to about a 12/0. One way to remember that the /0 (oh) hooks are larger is oh thats a big hook.

A size 12 might be used to catch baitfish, gar or mullet. A size 12/0 might be used to catch sharks, marlin and mackerel.

CCCChoosing a Hookhoosing a Hookhoosing a Hookhoosing a Hook

The type of hook needed depends largely upon the mouth of the fish you want to catch, its size, shape, structure, its feeding habits, preferred bait, and fighting style. The type of hook chosen will also depend on the type of tackle, bait or the lure to be used.

Most veteran anglers know how important choosing the right hook can be. For the beginner, studying the many designs, parts, and uses of hooks can certainly pay off. It could mean the difference between celebrating the big catch and mourning the one that got away. Some hooks have packaging that suggest what species they are designed for using text or images, a BCF Team Member can assist you when selecting the right hook.

BaitholderBaitholderBaitholderBaitholder hooks have small barbs in their shank to help hold baits on the hook. They are ideal for soft natural baits in both freshwater and saltwater, e.g., yabbies, prawns, cut pilchards, flesh baits, mullet and chicken gut, pipis and mussels. This hook is a real all-rounder for catching bream, snapper, trevally, trout, flathead, bass and a host of other species.

LongshankLongshankLongshankLongshank hooks are another popular hook. They are used for presenting baits such as worms, prawns and yabbies naturally. They are often popular when fishing for whiting and other fish with small mouths that suck the bait into their mouth. They are popular in larger sizes for flathead and fish with teeth because the longer shank prevents the fish from biting through the line.

OctopusOctopusOctopusOctopus hooks are popular among anglers fishing for bream in the estuaries. They are also possibly the most popular hook, in a size 5/0 to 8/0, among anglers fishing the reefs. Having the eye of the hook bent outwards also allows these hooks to be snelled together allowing more than one hook to be placed in larger baits.



The KahleKahleKahleKahle hook has a few other names including BigmouthBigmouthBigmouthBigmouth and is based on a long line hook that was originally shaped from bone. The design of this hook has the eye directly aligned with the point of the hook which means that the slightest pressure placed on the point of the hook by a fish moving away with the bait pulls directly on the line causing the point to penetrate. This hook is popular among anglers chasing fish that will subtly pick up the bait and move away with it including silver perch and yellowbelly in the fresh and grunter bream in the salt. The shape of this hook also makes them an effective hook for live baiting with baits such as large prawns or poddy mullet, especially when chasing barramundi.

The CCCCircleircleircleircle hook, like the Bigmouth hook, has been popular among long liners for many years. The advantage of using a circle hook, and the reason why they have become popular among marlin and game anglers, is that there is much less chance of gut hooking a fish which is to be released. The shape of the circle hook allows the fish to eat the bait and begin to swim off like any other hook. Once the line pressure begins to pull the hook out of the mouth of the fish a normal hook would penetrate deep in the fish, where a circle hook is unable to penetrate and slides towards the mouth of the fish. As the line pulls the eye of the hook out of the fishs mouth it causes the hook to roll and the barb to penetrate into the fish, commonly locking on the jaw hinge of the fish. The way to fish this hook then is to allow the fish to pick up and run with the bait, virtually hooking itself. By hooking the fish in the jaw hinge they are also much less likely to work the hook free.

Gang hooksGang hooksGang hooksGang hooks are a series of fish hooks linked together in a line.

Gang hooks help to keep larger bait, such as a pilchard / mulie, in better condition by holding it together and making it appear more natural. Gang hooks also ensure that the bait has a better coverage of hooks. This means that wherever the fish bites the bait there is more chance of it being hooked. Gang hooks also lessen the chance of the fishes teeth coming into contact with the line, thus reducing bite offs. The legal maximum number of hooks that can be ganged varies from state to state, so check your local guides regarding the legality of using gang hooks in your area.

Many different kinds of hooks can be ganged together but probably the most popular is the Mustad 4202D because it has an open eye which the angler closes with pliers after linking the hooks together. Gang rigs can also be purchased that are already joined together ready to be fished. A common gang rig for fishing pilchards may consist of 3 or 4 Mustad 4202D hooks in a size 4/0 to 6/0.

Treble HooksTreble HooksTreble HooksTreble Hooks are generally used on lures. Using a hook that has 3 barbs pointing out in different directions allows increased opportunity for a hook up as a fish will often violently attack a lure and may also attack it from different angles.

Once a fish realises that the lure is not actual food it will rapidly reject it and the treble hook again increases the chance of hookup even as the lure is being rejected.



SinkersSinkersSinkersSinkers

The Golden Rule of Sinkers is:

Always fish the lightest possible sinker (given prevailing conditions of wind, current, tide)

Which is the right sinker?

Estuary and riEstuary and riEstuary and riEstuary and river fishingver fishingver fishingver fishing Use ball sinkers, as they roll like a marble, allowing some movement of the bait across the bottom to cover ground. Bean sinkers are also popular if less movement is required.

Surf Surf Surf Surf / Beach / Beach / Beach / Beach fishingfishingfishingfishing Surf or bean sinkers are popular because they are flatter and will settle in the sand. This stops the waves from moving them away from the fish or dumping them back on the beach. Star and Breakaway sinkers are also popular, especially in more boisterous conditions as their shape allows them to lock into the bottom.

Reef fishingReef fishingReef fishingReef fishing Use, snapper or bomb sinkers. Larger sinkers allow you to reach the bottom in deep water. Snapper or bomb sinkers best suit the bottom fishing rig, are less likely to snag, and allow better bite detection. Large ball or bean sinkers are often used on shallower reefs or when slow sinking baits.

Ball and beanBall and beanBall and beanBall and bean

Ball and bean sinkers are the most popular sinkers used in the standard running rig. They are also used without a swivel, with the sinker straight to the hook, in snaggy areas as it helps prevent snagging.

Ball sinkers are shaped like a marble and will roll across the bottom allowing the angler to cover a large area. The bean sinker is a little flatter and will not roll across the bottom as easily, allowing the angler to keep the bait in a desired area.

When fishing in the surf, where the wave action and currents can cause baits to wash back onto the beach, a surf sinker is employed. A surf sinker is round like a ball sinker but squashed flat so that it settles into the sand, much like a pipi, and holds the bait in place.

Split shotSplit shotSplit shotSplit shot

Split shot sinkers are generally quite small and used to add small amounts of weight to the line. They are commonly round like a ball sinker with a slot in the side of them and they are simply squeezed onto the line. Split shot often come in a small dispenser pack, consisting of a range of sizes, and they are often

used to cock a float, meaning pull it almost under, so that there is minimal resistance when a fish tries to pull the float under the water.

Snapper and bombSnapper and bombSnapper and bombSnapper and bomb

The snapper and bomb sinker are designed to be used on a paternoster (dropper, bottom) rig. They range in size from quite small through to over half a kilogram, depending on the depth and current that you are fishing.

By tying a loop knot in the end of your line you can simply change sinker weight by passing the loop through the hole at the top of the sinker and passing the loop over the bottom of the sinker. This allows you to easily adjust the weight of the sinker to suit the conditions without having to tie any knots.



Grapnel (Breakaway), pyramid and starGrapnel (Breakaway), pyramid and starGrapnel (Breakaway), pyramid and starGrapnel (Breakaway), pyramid and star

When fishing a paternoster rig or running rig in the surf a grapnel (breakaway), pyramid or star sinker is often employed to lock your bait into the bottom. Once you have cast your bait out into the surf gutter, the last thing you want is the waves and current to wash your bait back up onto the beach. The pyramid and star are simply moulded into a shape that is designed lock into the bottom, while the grapnel sinker on the other hand has a series of metal spikes that anchor it into the bottom, even in extremely rough weather and strong currents. When a fish is hooked or the rod struck firmly the wires on the breakaway sinker unclip and fold away allowing the sinker to come free from the bottom. These wires simply clip back into place ready for your next cast out into the gutter.

Running Sinker Clip / EziRunning Sinker Clip / EziRunning Sinker Clip / EziRunning Sinker Clip / Ezi----rigrigrigrig

A running sinker clip allows you to use sinkers, such as bomb, star and grapnels that would normally be restricted to use in a paternoster (bottom) fishing rig and use them in a running sinker rig. This allows a running sinker rig to be used in fast currents and heavy wave action because you have the ability to use larger sinkers and sinkers that are capable of locking into the bottom. The sinker clip also makes it quick and easy to change sinker weights as the current or conditions change.

1.1.1.1. Standard Running Rig Standard Running Rig Standard Running Rig Standard Running Rig

This is the most popular rig for estuary fishing and beach fishing. Sinker size varies depending on the conditions and hook size depending on the targeted species. It consists of a hook attached to 30cm to 1m of line that allows the bait to wash around naturally. This is then tied to a swivel, designed to prevent line twist, with the other end of the swivel being attached to your main line. The free running sinker allows you to feel all the bites without the fish feeling the weight of the sinker.

2. Bottom Fishing Rig2. Bottom Fishing Rig2. Bottom Fishing Rig2. Bottom Fishing Rig This is the most common offshore / reef rig. It consists of a snapper or bomb sinker on the bottom with two droppers coming off the mainline attached by either dropper knots or three way swivels. Having the sinker on the bottom means that the hooks are less likely to snag on the reef, while also keeping the angler is in direct contact with the hooks as they dont have to feel the bites through the weight of the larger sinker. Thats a quick overview of some of the most popular hooks, sinkers and rigs used around the country. There are a myriad of options available but I guess the best piece of advice is to keep it simple and the more time you spend on the water the more you learn and customise your rigs to suit your local conditions and species. There are heaps of books, DVDs and fishing magazines available that can help you rig

up for the species you are targeting and if you would like to learn more about the hooks, sinkers and rigs to suit your area you could also drop in and see the team at your local BCF. See you on the water, Justin

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