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Match rigs

Robbie_B

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Jan 14, 2025
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Ireland
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Hi all
I'm new to match fishing, I've always used your standard 2 hook traces when I was fishing. Now that I'm match fishing, I'm just wondering what types of rigs are used as I want to make my own for the upcoming season. Thanks for any help or advice, much appreciated.
Rob
 
I usually use a 2 hook clip down or a clip up rig, occasionally I will use 1 hook clip up,& 1 hook clip down.,with floating beads on the top hook, & normal beads on the bottom hook . Hook size depends on what bait I'm using,hope this helps,I make my own rigs.
 
What are the normal species you will be targeting and over what type of ground?
 
Carry on with what you’re using, maybe add an extra hook?
But keep it simple, tangled rigs don’t fish very well! Short hook lengths for neaps, longer for springs.
Clipped down for distance, flappers for night time/close in.
Small hooks for scratching etc
Down my way standard 2-3 hook or loop rigs work ok over clean ground.
Double pat and away you go!
 
Welcome to the Madhouse Robbie! 👍👍

I can't offer much advice - I don't match fish. Having said that, I thought match fishing was limited to two Rods, two hooks per Rod? I could be wrong.
 
Guys, thank you all very much, most of the species ill be targeting I'd say will be whiting, dabs/flounders and doggies, ground with be mostly sandy with some venues possible stones/pebbles
 
Welcome to the Madhouse Robbie! 👍👍

I can't offer much advice - I don't match fish. Having said that, I thought match fishing was limited to two Rods, two hooks per Rod? I could be wrong.
Most fishing comp's/ matches are two rods & 3 hooks ,2 hooks one one rod & 1 hook on the other.
 
Most fishing comp's/ matches are two rods & 3 hooks ,2 hooks one one rod & 1 hook on the other.
Ah, thanks for that. I knew I'd heard something along those lines.
 
If its 3 hooks, then you definitely want to use a 3 hook clip or flapper, make different rigs with either long or short snoods. The other option during a match is to fish a 2 hook rig then put a slider down the line. This allows you to gish at different distances on the same cast.
 
Guys, thank you all very much, most of the species ill be targeting I'd say will be whiting, dabs/flounders and doggies, ground with be mostly sandy with some venues possible stones/pebbles

So it's 3 hook clipped for distance
3 hook flapper for close in.
Hooks size 4 to 2/0 (2/0 particularly useful if its triple shots of dogs every few minutes).

Rig and snood length vary with the tide and local preference.

A good start would be a 4' rig with snoods around 12".
Don't forget a bait stop on the clipped rigs.

Best approach is keep it simple and fish quickly and efficiently.
 
If its 3 hooks, then you definitely want to use a 3 hook clip or flapper, make different rigs with either long or short snoods. The other option during a match is to fish a 2 hook rig then put a slider down the line. This allows you to gish at different distances on the same cast.
How do you fish a slider Squidy? Whenever I’ve tried it I’ve not been able to get it to actually slide down the line away from the rod very well.
 
On average, how long should a rig and snoods be?
I use 12” hook lengths for Dover Sole regardless of tidal strength, so shortest 12” longest for me would be 2’6” - 3’but that would be a loop rigs in the surf for Bass.
Match fishing I used to go between 1’ and 2’ so a 3 hook clipped trace would be between 3’6” and 6’6”. A loop rig with said hook lengths would mean a trace length of 2’9” and 4’9” as a guide, also worth noting I don’t cast off the ground, I always swing a fishing pendulum style which helps with the longer trace length.
If I was using a pulley rig that would be between 3’6” and 5’ depending.
Hope that helps
 
It's a welcome from me as well Robbie (y)
 

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