Specialist rigs · Weak link · rough-ground rig

Rotten-bottom rig

The lead hangs on a deliberately weak length of line. When it wedges in rock, the link snaps and you keep the hook, the rig and the fish.

Shock leader60–80lbSize 2 swivelOne dropper, set highShort snood 30lb20cm, fewer snagsStrong hook 2/0–4/0Rig body 80lbSwivel or loopWeak link 15lb, 30cmbreaks if the lead jamsPlain bombor an old spark plug
Targets
Wrasse, bull huss, conger, codling
Where
Heavy rock and kelp

What you need

Body
80lb mono
Dropper
One, set high, with crimps and beads
Snood
30lb, about 20cm
Hook
Strong 2/0–4/0
Weak link
30cm of 15lb mono
Weight
Plain bomb, or an old spark plug or nut

Build it

  1. Tie a swivel to the top of the body.
  2. Set a single dropper 10–15cm under it.
  3. Tie a swivel or loop to the bottom of the body.
  4. Tie 30cm of 15lb line to it.
  5. Tie the weight to the weak link.
On the beach

Keep the snood short so the bait can't wrap round weed. On the bite, wind down hard and lift the fish straight out before it dives into the kelp.

Knots for this rig are in Knots. Line strengths, hook sizes and weights are starting points: scale them to your tackle, the ground and the tide. Diagrams are schematic and not to scale.