thornback tackle

what is the boat rig for thornbacks in the cork harbour area

The same as in any other area

You might want a touch of holy water or some other form of higher assistance all the same.... They are around in small pockets but are by no means widespread or easily picked up. Target something else mate. 3 hooks down on a flowing trace for me anyhow for places where there are fish.

Never fished from cork harbour but when i fish for ray from the boat i use a 2 hook flowing trace with one snood 4 ft long and one coming off the top about a foot and a half long. A blood loop cut at the knot is how i normaly tie this and i use 60 lb clear mono and size 4/0 hooks.A muppet above each hook is also something i add to this rig if bites are hard to come by.

Hook size is interesting, just to throw this into the pot too, last time I fished the Swilly, I fished with Pete McGrory and caught about 20 odd ray that afternoon drifting around with a 7 foot 3 hook flowing trace tied on 0.35 Fluorocarbon baited with nice long slim strips of mackerel. Hook size? Size 4 Kamasan short shanks. Had several doubles and trebles that day with no issues.

interesting, what is the best way to tie the snoods so they dont tangle?

thanks lads

JW, I keep the 2 droppers fairly short, around 4-5" max using a stand off loop. To prevent from tangling, prior to snipping the loop, I tie a single overhand knot in the loop (cheers Mick B for that tip.... ) about 1.5-2" away from the main body, then snip. This has the effect of creating a mini boom and helps evade tangles. I use that rig in conjuction with tiny silver blades and small red and yellow beads. From my species count last year of 42, I can count over 30 species which succumbed to this rig, both on the drift and at anchor. Its a fantastic, easily tied rig that murders all manner of fish fishing mixed and clean ground. It will be in more detail in IA as part of a beginners guide to charter fishing in a couple of months. PM me an address and Ill pop one in the post to you. Dont be fooled by the hook size, it has no bother pulling in all manner of stuff from decent ling and wrasse to little dabs and dragonets, lethal for gurnards and the like too.

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