Rigs and approach...

[Fishery Pokery]

Hi guys,
I was wondering what kind of approach you guys normally use. Last year I used twin tails on a lead head and hopped them along. This was fun but didn't produce many fish for me.
Do you usually try baited feathers? and does your rig change if you are fishing the inshore waters.
Just wondering the best way to get some fish over my tubes (I have an inflatable boat) for my first trip of the year.
Also been thinking of trying shads this year after reading some of the reports of the Whitby trips, but maybe get some fish in the bag first, then experiment.
Cheers,
Geoff

[The Great Wallsendo]

Baited ready made rigs IE Cod feathers/RoyDs/Muppets etc are pretty common practice...also maybe try drifting a baited flowing trace with mussel/crab/squid - this worked for me when the bites died off a touch on saturday and I pulled another couple of Cod out as a result

Have got shads to try later in the year over the wrecks - but I know some of the lads were fishing shads and doing well this weekend on the inshore marks

[Fishery Pokery]

Thanks for taking the time Wallsendo.
I hadn't really given a flowing rig much thought.
Maybe that is a rig for when the fish are being more fussy like you say.
So when you go out you start with a baited premade rig, and then if bites slow switch to a flowing rig with a single hook.
Just to give a starting point. I had fun last year, but not too many fish.

[KeithB]

Flowing trace 90% of the time for me, 6/0 - 4/0 penell for cod & 8/0 - 6/0 for ling or a 10/0 for a macky flapper.

[Iva-Cod-on]

I have to say that a flowing trace like the lads say is good practice i normally use a 3.5 foot hook link and a 18 inch sinker link both attached to a snap swivel and a really good tip is about 18 inches up the line from the main snap swivel attach an orange muppet with baited or unbaited hook inside on a link of about 4 inches similar to a feather trace but just the one I often pick fish up on the muppet too as it covers a couple of bases and isn't prone to tangles as the muppet is short. I'm a believer that bait fishing first then if fish show then get the feathers out ie hokkis, daylights etc.

Must say its lovely to talk to a fellow inflatable owner I've got a 3.8m zodiac zoom with a 9.9df 4stk suzuki been out 3 times this year and first time on sat been able to set it away and v/pleased that it does 20knots alot easier than a trailer boat which is what i was going to get but launch from newbiggin and got the dettachable wheels for the transom love it cant wait for the steady weather

[Fishery Pokery]

Thanks very much for your replies guys. It looks like I will be starting my sessions with a flowing trace from now on.
It is good to hear there is someone else with a inflatable boat, I was suprised how fast they are aswell. I have a 3.4m Avon with a 9.8hp 2 stroke Tohatsu. I am just finalising some changes I have made for this year. I only got out twice up here last year, but am planning a lot more this year.
Cheers,
Geoff