rigs and hook sizes

Shore angling - everything welcome! The opinions expressed here are those of the private individuals and we accept no responsibility or liability.

Moderator: donal domeney

Message
Author
mark12976
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:06 pm
Location: Dublin ballyfermot
Been thanked: 5 times

rigs and hook sizes

#1 Post by mark12976 »

hi lads just wondering what's the best rigs and hook sizes to use for cod if beach or pier fishing any help would be great

thanks
Mark
User avatar
donal domeney
Head of International Security and Bringer of World Peace
Posts: 4900
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:13 pm
Location: cork
Has thanked: 439 times
Been thanked: 829 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#2 Post by donal domeney »

Depending on the typical size of cod in the area

pins to 1lb size 2

1lb to 2lb size 1

over 2lb size 1/0 +
Specimen Fish 2024: Shore Rockling (3) 36cm, 34cm, 31cm; Thick Lipped Mullet (2) 58cm, 57cm; Smooth Hound (1) 109cm; Sting Ray (1)125cm; Ballan Wrasse (1) 48cm ; Corkwing Wrasse (1) 24.8cm. Golden Grey Mullet (2) 43cm, 1.8lb; 40.6cm, 1.55lb;
Total species boat/shore: 45
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specimen Fish 2025: To date: 6.
Flounder 46cm; Spurdog 120cm; Stingray 91cm; Smooth Hound 114cm; 103.5cm; 104cm
mark12976
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:06 pm
Location: Dublin ballyfermot
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#3 Post by mark12976 »

great help there thanks any idea for best rigs mate

Mark
User avatar
doggy
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:42 am
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#4 Post by doggy »

every one i asked for cod bait choice said peeler crab, but ive had them on ragworm, rag is all ive tryed this year. gona get some crab and head out soon(today), gona try 3/0 with full crab at distance,try get a big one and a crab cut into two on two hook flap in close, c wat happens :)
User avatar
doggy
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:42 am
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#5 Post by doggy »

going to rock mark and using size 2 on 2hook flap, and running pennel out at distance, hope that helps
mark12976
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:06 pm
Location: Dublin ballyfermot
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#6 Post by mark12976 »

thanks for help lads gona.head.out later.and.hopefully catch a cod over.a.pound.for a pb

regards
Mark
User avatar
donal domeney
Head of International Security and Bringer of World Peace
Posts: 4900
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:13 pm
Location: cork
Has thanked: 439 times
Been thanked: 829 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#7 Post by donal domeney »

mark12976 wrote:great help there thanks any idea for best rigs mate

Mark
Not sure where you fish or the size of cod you are targeting.
So, East coast :( in close and under 1lb 3 hook flappers, at distance change to a 2 hook clip down

The one thing to watch about bigger cod is that a lot of the time the hook well down the fish and the snood can be easily damaged from its teeth. Check it and change it I’ve lost a few good fish because I was too lazy to change the rig :oops: :oops:
Specimen Fish 2024: Shore Rockling (3) 36cm, 34cm, 31cm; Thick Lipped Mullet (2) 58cm, 57cm; Smooth Hound (1) 109cm; Sting Ray (1)125cm; Ballan Wrasse (1) 48cm ; Corkwing Wrasse (1) 24.8cm. Golden Grey Mullet (2) 43cm, 1.8lb; 40.6cm, 1.55lb;
Total species boat/shore: 45
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specimen Fish 2025: To date: 6.
Flounder 46cm; Spurdog 120cm; Stingray 91cm; Smooth Hound 114cm; 103.5cm; 104cm
User avatar
doggy
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:42 am
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#8 Post by doggy »

good tip donal, cheers 4 that
User avatar
Jayball10
SAI Sea Dog!
Posts: 670
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:48 pm
Favourite Rod: Enticer
Favourite Reel: Shimano 6000
Favourite Fish: Wrasse
Location: Meath
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 66 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#9 Post by Jayball10 »

donal domeney wrote: The one thing to watch about bigger cod is that a lot of the time the hook well down the fish and the snood can be easily damaged from its teeth. Check it and change it I’ve lost a few good fish because I was too lazy to change the rig :oops: :oops:
Excellent tip Donal. I lost a big fella back in January. After a good fight he bit the 20lb snood. Might up to 30lb this season.
The way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly...
mark12976
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:06 pm
Location: Dublin ballyfermot
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#10 Post by mark12976 »

thanks again.lads.great help.and.advice hope I can catch them now lol

regards
Mark
User avatar
baitdigger
SAI Sea Dog!
Posts: 487
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 8:21 am
Location: clare / galway
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 52 times

Re: rigs and hook sizes

#11 Post by baitdigger »

Hook size should be dictated by the size of your bait, so you do not mask the barb and have a better chance of a hook-up. Cod are not called bucket-mouth for no reason and a two pound fish would easily take a whole squid in which case a 4/0 would be a better choice(imho)
The Truth is often stumbled upon by men, most of whom pick themselves up and hurry along as if nothing ever happened.
https://baitdigger.wordpress.com

Return to “Shore Angling Q&A / Forum”