To bling, or not to bling...that is the question

Just interested in people's thoughts on the use of beads in shore rigs. Do they improve catches?...or do they impede catches?

some people swear by them, other's(like me) prefer plain rigs..

i suppose it depends on the area/fish/weather...

i've had some very bling rigs that have worked well, but then i've had simple rigs that have outfished bling...


so i suppose its a personal choice more than anything

no, god no, i hate bling, apart from a flasher spoons , beads are a waste of money, though some anglers do well with them. i think its the frame of mind tbh

plain all the way !! only use a few beads during flounder comps etc... , its probably the only time i would consider using them !!

i got you thinking the other night Pat, , ya know my opinion on it. other than a red muppet for huss, thats it...

i am trying beads and plain rigs, they seem about the same

Yeah Neil, you sure did. Your blingless rigs sure put my artistic creations to shame :oops: ....or you might just be a better angler :? We'll just have to have another comp to settle the issue.

i prefer plain rigs

switched over from beads and sequins and blades to clear rigs last year and my catch rates have grown exponentially. works for all species especially for flats cos the bling prohibits movement of the snood. also find longer snoods work better (some times up to 4 foot long)

I don't think it makes a huge differance with beads on or not but I would always fish with a few on when daytime fishing for flats in clear water conditions and I would always use floating beads if crab activity is high,it definately helps keep the bait intact longer whatever about drawing fish to the hook,a friend of mine uses luminous beads which he charges with his head lamp every cast and he swears by them and to be honest he always gets a fish or two,worth a shot to try for ureself and sure at least the rigs will look impressive to the passer byes who will always stop and ask have you caught anthing and you tell them your the 5th or 6th if only the fishing was as good you think in your own mind.
Tight lines.

Beads are for flatties and they do work

:lol: I'm a bling Whore and Proud. 8)

use plain the most but use the odd trace with beads for flats in daylight.

Don't really use it anymore, the very odd time maybe a solitary white bead or a series of very small beads but thats only if the unbeaded isn't catching diddly squat.

Eric you mention 'flasher spoons,' I presume your referring to boat rigs?

Don't really use it anymore, the very odd time maybe a solitary white bead or a series of very small beads but thats only if the unbeaded isn't catching diddly squat.

Eric you mention 'flasher spoons,' I presume your referring to boat rigs?

the small ones, about 2cm long and 1cm wide, blades :?:

Interesting, i would never have thought of using them on shore rigs. Are you imparting movement in the rig to get the spoons to actually work?

i generally only fish them in the suds and let the backwash of the waves do the work, the flutter of the shine must look like a small baitfish to the flounder or bass which is why i use them.

Cool. Been meaning to experiment with some of the light plastic spoon things but still haven't got round to it.

Heres my two cents, i always start a comp with one plain trace out and one flashy trace on the tripod and alternate each cast too see whats working if one stands out ill switch to that if fish are hungry they'll take both but if shy plain traces and well presented baits will always come up trumps. one of my best working traces is the three hook flapper one down two up, beads and blades on one down and two up plain.... Flats nearly always hit the bottom hook but flats on the east coast always seem to be on a diet so i dont think it matters there as they'll eat whats in front of them. i fished one 5 hour comp and had no fish for first 4 and a half hours i put on and old trace with 8mm beads and large spinner blade in desperation for last half an hour and had two bass and missed a third last cast and went on to win the peg..... :? if you believe what ya hear bass wont touch a rig like that. bottom line experiment till ya find what works and cover all possibilities and be prepared to change, both beads and plain work depending on the day and venue. Gary

I use a luminous small bead for whiting in the winter - at night. Works well compared with a bare rig.