Boat fishing traces

My SAC boat comp season will be kicking off soon, my last season ended with me pretty much coming last in all our comps so this year ive decided im gonna try win at least one comp, failing that though, id be comfortable with maybe a second last...

So, here i am looking for advice on traces etc,

Currently im using a 6ft long 3 hook trace which is pretty much start to finish beads with muppets at the hook ends, it has caught me some good fish(Huss, Rays and Smoothies) but its not producing the same numbers of fish the other guys are catching, ive tried to get advice/ tips from the other guys about what sort of set up to use but as you can expect they aren't very forthcoming with info that could potentially cost them the win....

Ideally, id be looking for a trace that i could use to target doggies as fairly often they make up the staple of the points being that they are more plentyful, next a trace to target the likes of gurnards and possibly flats, maybe also a trace that can be used for pollack and coalies and finally a good all round trace that will cover me for everything (if such a thing exists)............... (Wow i want alot today )

Oh, i suppose a bit of info regarding where we fish would be handy too... Normally anywhere between Howth and the Kish Bank i think,

Thanks in advance, PM's welcome too

I am no expert however my first boating competition involved me using size 4/0 hooks.........
I must have been after sharks or something, nuts........big mistake.
I completely downsized hooks and immediatly improved. Last time I used size 1 and that small size even took a huge huss.
Other than that I dunno too much.
I find the booms great for a bottom hook. They must present the bait better or something.
Don't know about the beads and bling, I use a little on the bottom hook, mainly a single small flasher and a couple of beads but on the other hooks I am not a fan of the various bling that some people use, sometimes it seems a bit overkill, but I stand to be corrected. Maybe its good to use it in poor water visibility. Again, not sure.
Also speed of trace changing seems to be a big advantage so organisation pays.
Don't take anything I say too much to heart because I have very little experience.
Best of luck in 2013............

Oh yeah, small red gills and the like seem to be a real good pollack catcher..................

I wouldn't get too hung up on what trace you're using. Everybody will have a formula for what works for them. For general bottom fishing a 6' rig with 3 hooks sounds good to me. For mixed fishing I like to add a few beads and the mini spoons you can get that are about the size of a plectrum. Strong size 1 or 1/0 hooks will land just about anything. If you have good bait, and fish your rig hard on the bottom you should keep up with the other anglers in your club. Over time you can add or subtract things you like or dislike according to your own personal experience!

I am no expert however my first boating competition involved me using size 4/0 hooks.........
I must have been after sharks or something, nuts........big mistake.
I completely downsized hooks and immediatly improved. Last time I used size 1 and that small size even took a huge huss.

Yeah, my first trip had me using 6/0 hooks i think... Ive since learned that size 1/0 is a good all round size, what i tried last year tho was to have 1/0's on the top 2 hook lenghts and a 3/0 on the bottom,

I wouldn't get too hung up on what trace you're using. Everybody will have a formula for what works for them. For general bottom fishing a 6' rig with 3 hooks sounds good to me. For mixed fishing I like to add a few beads and the mini spoons you can get that are about the size of a plectrum. Strong size 1 or 1/0 hooks will land just about anything. If you have good bait, and fish your rig hard on the bottom you should keep up with the other anglers in your club. Over time you can add or subtract things you like or dislike according to your own personal experience!

What i might try then is rather than fill the trace with beads i'll just go for a basic set up with beads and spoons and to keep the trace stuck to the bottom ill thread on some drilled bullets,

I don't think you need to add weight to your rig. You will catch fish if you have the right bait on the right size hook, fished on the sea bed. All the beads, muppets, spoons, and various add ons are of personal choice. I catch plenty of fish with just hooks and bait. I will add attractor spoons and beads for flattie fishing, and I think they help with rays too, although I catch plenty of ray without them. I like adding pink & red muppets for cod & ling. this is what works for me. I bet if you ask 20 people on this site you'll get 20 different answers. Closely watch the anglers that are catching the most fish and pay attention not only to what rigs they use, but also what baits, how they present the baits, how they react to bite, and any other subtle differences.

[quote="Rob Millard"]I don't think you need to add weight to your rig. You will catch fish if you have the right bait on the right size hook, fished on the sea bed. All the beads, muppets, spoons, and various add ons are of personal choice. I catch plenty of fish with just hooks and bait. I will add attractor spoons and beads for flattie fishing, and I think they help with rays too, although I catch plenty of ray without them. I like adding pink & red muppets for cod & ling. this is what works for me. I bet if you ask 20 people on this site you'll get 20 different answers. Closely watch the anglers that are catching the most fish and pay attention not only to what rigs they use, but also what baits, how they present the baits, how they react to bite, and any other subtle differences.[/quote

Spot on....................

Not sure about the size 3/0 for competition, seems a bit big to me, but i guess who am I to give advice.....
Mostly they are after variety of species and quantity unless one or so anglers are chasing largest fish.
If you take a quick look and see what most others are using that will give you an idea but as far as I can remember no one was using anything much bigger than a 1/0 last time I was out......

Failing all else there's always your best friend Mr. Google..................

PM Sent, contact Kit Dunne he works outa wicklow, see if he has a spare space some day and go out with him, ask as many questions as you can!