A rig for distance over rough ground.

[harry barker]

I'm looking for a end rig for distance work over rough ground.
The rig must be clipped down.
The rig must be strong to withstand power casting.
The rig must have some sort of weak rotten bottom built in.
The rig must be void of as much clutter as possible to stop snagging.
The rig must be streamlined as possible for good flight.


The rig I'm using to date is a pulley with 100lb line straight thru to 5.0 and 2.0 pennel hooks.
the weak rotten is billys rotters a little open clip with 12lb line to oval then lead.
The clip is the little gem release.
But I'm still snagging up a lot using my rig,there must be a better rig and someone must using it.
any suggestions will be appreciated

[peter.m]

I make uncluttered pulleys using the Gemini rig clip. If I want to make it a rotten bottom just hook the rotter on instead of the lead and attach the lead with weak link to the rotter.

[safc]

to be honest with you i dont think it matters what you do or dont put on your rig when you are fishing rough ground there is always a chance you will get snagged

[adam.d]

The hooks have just as much chance of getting stuck as the lead. Rotten bottoms give ya a 50% chance of getting the rig back but all rigs, regardless of their construction use hooks. You could try just using a single hook pully as this is 1 less thing to get caught

[Gaverick]

I find it's nearly always the hooks that snag me up, but I don't have a solution, apart from using no hooks

[tubbie2shoes]

What length of hook snood do you use. I find if the sea is rough a long snood length tangles more than a shorter one. So try shortening your hook length

[steppeydog]

try using mustard nordic bends 4446 you can normally bump them out n they bend back in ok

[Mogthemackem]

I find a short hook length and long weight length enables the weight to sit on rocks/kelp and might get stuck but rotton bottom should then work. The hook length should sit above all of that if only short. Works well for me but I still lose gear but maybe just not as much as I did. If your hooks get caught then nothing you can do but this will reduce the risk. Could also try smaller hook if only using worm baits aswel but obviously 5/0 is about right if using bulky baits. The rest of your rig sounds like you aren't doing anything wrong and I doubt very few people do anything different

[sage]

harry, here one of the rotten bottom pulley rigs for the rocks i use ..... as few components as possible...
a swivel, a hook, 2 small beads.. pin and foam

the idea was not mine... just copied off other anglers over the years ... and there are many adaptations of this rig but this version of the rig suits me..

swivel end and beads.. hook snood tied to loop on 80lb rig body


bottom of rig body with rotten bottom line attached ( r/b ties to sinker )
notice bent sinker eye


bent eye acts as bait clip


rig body loop passes thru sinker eye .... pin goes into loop

hook now clipped at sinker

clipped in place and everything tight .....view from front


view from back...


remember to keep the hook point towards foam... it should always be free from bait

sorry about quality of photos but i think you can get an idea of the rig...
although you need to replace the pin and foam every cast... the cost is pennies for the set up....
the breaking strain of the hook snood needs to be light enough to snap if snagged or either strong enough to bend the hook straight... i prefer 40lb as it can bend most of the hooks i use...

cheers
Paul

[bozjc]

i try to keep my rigs simple.
I have a loop at the top, a blood loop in the main line of rig body and an escape link at the bottom. then i tie the snood on, never really managed to loose a hook snood or snap the blood loop.

you could bang an impact sheild or imp on if you wanted to go for distance.

i sometimes use a pulley rig with a fox pulley sviwel a couple of beads and an escape link, again you could add a impact sheild or imp above the escape link.

could bang some pics up if you wanted them?

[harry barker]

Thanks lads some great recommendations posted and I'm taking it all on board.
I have now looked more closely at the rig I use and I'm firstly going to try these modification to the pulley.
I use a large swivel to run the pulley line thru, I'm going to do away with this swivel and make a fig of 8 out of heavy stainless to wire to replace it.
Then do away with the pennel top hook,less chance of snagging up.
Then change the 5.0 main hook to a one that will bend out if snagged.
Stop using a abu65 reel with 15lb running line and change to the penn 525 mag with 22lb running line.Will loss out on distance but not by much.
Do away with the imp release and change it to simple gemini hook release,less chance it getting jammed in rocks.Only problem they don't release in strong cross winds.
Use longer wires on the lead to stop in dragging into snags also spreads better in rocks.
Paul I quite like that simple rig I will make some and try..cheers.

When I put this post up I said rough ground but its mainly fishing Lynemouth north beach so would be mixed rather than rough,but it is getting worse of late.

[phil185]

Do away with the imp release and change it to simple gemini hook release,less chance it getting jammed in rocks.Only problem they don't release in strong cross winds.

I used to have the problem of them not releasing but i have found that after you have cast if you set the grip lead then give it slack line they will release. I cant remember having one that has'nt since i have been doing this.

[kev57t]

a rig for distance over rough ground

you should try the canny links that you get off paul on this forum they are excellent-they are a rotten bottom and bait clip in one-great for pulley rigs for distance and just on normal rigs-would'nt use any thing else now

[Tompa]

IMO mate there is no rig that can be used with a rotten bottom for power casting or if there is some sort of system i have never come across it. Just think what would happen if you were going full tilt and the weight wasn't clipped right and was hanging on your weak link ...ie 15 lb line or whatever you use.
I wouldn't want to be standing next to you when 6 ounces of lead parts company with your rig mid cast and i'm sure no one else would either.

To me if your power casting then your lead should not be on a rottom bottom, but like i say this is just my opinion.

Cheers

Tony

[harry barker]

I used to have the problem of them not releasing but i have found that after you have cast if you set the grip lead then give it slack line they will release. I cant remember having one that has'nt since i have been doing this.

Good idea Phil,will try it out mate, only never worked for me maybe give it more slack,thanks.


Kev57t,I did try them some time ago and yes did work a treat,I forgot about them but they are nice and small and do two jobs in one,hold the hook and act as release system all in one,thanks for the reminder.


Tompa,
I have pendulum cast now for as long as I care to remember and used rotten bottoms of varies types and never ever had one come undone or unclipped ever.I regard safety as very important as I use 100lb line for my rigs and 80lb for shock leader.
I check my end gear every time before I cast making sure there is no abrasion to the line and all the knots are secure.During my fishing day I regularly cut and remake my knots even if they look ok.
Also I ensure that no one is in direct line of the danger area before I cast
If someone was then I don't pendulum.

I have seen leads and end gear flying along the beach and just missing people standing down cast of them,most time its caused by the angler not using the correct braking strain line or casting dangerously not necessarily power casting either.
Rotten bottoms can be used for power casting they are designed to be.
After saying this I respect your opinion, I'm just trying to explain my side of safety.
Cheers.