LITTLE AND LARGE
I was recently fishing down at Goldcliff, South Wales and while chatting to some of the local lads noticed just how varied the rig components used were on different lads rigs. Some were made up really professionally with small beads and swivels, while other lads had used massive 5 and even 8mm beads for trapping big size 6 swivels between huge crimps normally used on wire traces.

To get the best from your fishing it is worth taking the time and trouble to really refine your rigs. There is a big advantage both in performance and catches!

Using shields to protect baits

Try to use small 2mm beads, size 10 swivels and the smallest rig crimps you can get to attach the hook traces too. This system will land 20lb plus fish, but creates minimal air drag for casting, plus you'll find that rigs built to this slim line format are less prone to "wobbling" during the flight of the lead and give cleaner casts. Small rig components also catch less weed and create less resistance to a shy biting fish.

Several guys were fishing rigs with no bait clips on leaving the hook trace swinging free during the cast. This flapping trace acts as a massive air drag and will rip many yards of the cast. If you're cod fishing, this loss of distance can be critical.

Breakaway Impact Shields actually give slightly better casting range and improved bait presentation than more slim line wire type bait clips due to the shields aerodynamic shape which punches a hole in the air during the cast leaving the bait in a calm broken air pocket.

Using a suitably strong but slim diameter rig body line and shock leader also cuts down on air and water drag. Think small and you'll catch big!

TIPS AND TRICKS
Heard a cracker the other day! If you frequently use mussel baits, try buying an ice cube tray or two and then bait up loose hooks up with mussel well bound on with bait elastic, then freeze the trays down in the fast freeze compartment of the freezer. When frozen take four baits out at time out of the tray and place them in sealable plastic envelopes to stop freezer burn.

Carry them to your fishing mark in a wide mouthed flask to keep them frozen and just retie a new baited hook on each time when ready to re bait. The frozen mussel will cast really well too, but thaw instantly it hits the seawater.

ROCK COD TACTICS

Fishing for good rock cod

If you want consistent cod catches, then find rough ground. Cod love to root through the channels between big boulders, over mussel beds and through deeper cracks between rock ledges hunting out crabs and small fish.

You need heavy tackle as both fish and tackle losses will be high. Go for a tough beachcaster capable of casting 6ozs of lead and decent sized bait. A multiplier reel like an ABU 9000C or Daiwa SL30 loaded with 30lb line is needed for this heavy ground, though shallower venues where casting distance is an advantage are better tackled with something like an ABU 7000C and 25lb line. Use a 60lb shock leader for both casting safety and to help you hustle big fish as you land them at your feet. The top rig is a pulley rig made from 80lb Ultima or 50lb Maxima Chameleon with 50lb hook lengths of the same line. Use tough hooks like Mustad Viking 4/0's, Mustad Cod hooks, or Varivas Big Mouth Xtras.

The best baits are black and blow lug or mussel, with crab excellent if you can get fresh peelers.

Though big spring tides may still fish best, often this type of ground is less dependant on big tides and will produce fish even on smaller neap tides due to the depth and the amount of food available amongst the boulders and rocks. Cod still feed best on this ground though, when there is some movement in the water caused by strong onshore wind conditions.

Rough ground can often fish better on the ebb tide in the last three hours to low water and the first two hours of the new flood. High water can be slow as the fish stay out in the deeper water where the food is more generally available and protected from the rough winter weather and cold frosts.

Always walk the area to be fished at low water on a spring tide and note the deeper gullies and holes. Get to know where these are and you will dramatically increase your catch rate.