2 & 3 Hook Flappers

jezm · Jan 22, 2019

Does anyone else experience problems with tangles on Flapper rigs?? I'm fairly new to Sea fishing and started off using a 2 hook flapper rig, the bottom hook, never had a problem with but I always find the top hook has always twisted around the rig, looks like it does it during the cast!!?? so all my fish caught on this rig have always been on the bottom hook. Because of this i have never braved a 3 hook flapper!!!
Is there any tricks or tips to stop this happening? recently gone to just using a portsmouth clipped rig as seems to tangle less, but strangely caught less fish on this! (maybe coincidence as don't see that presentation can be much different?)

judyb · Jan 22, 2019

jezm said:
Does anyone else experience problems with tangles on Flapper rigs?? I'm fairly new to Sea fishing and started off using a 2 hook flapper rig, the bottom hook, never had a problem with but I always find the top hook has always twisted around the rig, looks like it does it during the cast!!?? so all my fish caught on this rig have always been on the bottom hook. Because of this i have never braved a 3 hook flapper!!!
Is there any tricks or tips to stop this happening? recently gone to just using a portsmouth clipped rig as seems to tangle less, but strangely caught less fish on this! (maybe coincidence as don't see that presentation can be much different?)

Use srt springs and cascade clips, stops the tangles bud, plus nice and streamlined for distance (2 or 3 hook clip down rigs). I use a length of silicon tubing on the snood to act as a kicker also:thumbsup:

jezm · Jan 22, 2019

Thanks for the reply mate, I have recently switched to 2 hook clip down rigs which have the cascade clips. Never had any problem with that tangling, however I don't know if its just coincidence that since swapping to that from a flapper rig I am catching less fish!!
I can't see that presentation between the 2 rigs can be much different can it??

judyb · Jan 22, 2019

Would be the same if not better presentation with the clip downs i would imagine bud, especially if u was to add the tubing to the snoods, just helps to kick the snood away from the rig body and tangling:thumbsup:

Mukiwa · Jan 22, 2019

Would it not be the snood lenght giving a problem, how loose is the swivel that your snood lenght is attached to.

My partner always fished two hook flapper 20 cm in length, roughly, and always out fishes me with a clip down rig, so sometime simple is better,

Some tomes I get a right twist in my rig, but I think it's the snood being to long, and fish had picked up the bait and twisting it right up

jezm · Jan 22, 2019

I will have to experiment with snood length and also check out that swivel, I guess if that swivel doesn't move freely and the bait spins in the air it will twist around the rig. If I make sure that swivel spins freely it will act like a helicopter rig?? hopefully then won't tangle mid air?!

tournamag · Jan 22, 2019

Watch how you load the bait on the hooks! esp with likes of Mackerel bits and squid as acts like a Propeller in the air and water!

Colin Chaplin · Jan 22, 2019

Hi, what braking strain snoods are you using? try upping the b.s., as before is the top swivel free moving, make sure you have enough space, gap between the lower hook with bait and the upper swivel so they do not touch each other.

Yozzer · Jan 22, 2019

You could also try adding a few beads to your hook-lengths to give them a touch more weight which might help.

m.b3 · Jan 22, 2019

jezm said:
Does anyone else experience problems with tangles on Flapper rigs?? I'm fairly new to Sea fishing and started off using a 2 hook flapper rig, the bottom hook, never had a problem with but I always find the top hook has always twisted around the rig, looks like it does it during the cast!!?? so all my fish caught on this rig have always been on the bottom hook. Because of this i have never braved a 3 hook flapper!!!
Is there any tricks or tips to stop this happening? recently gone to just using a portsmouth clipped rig as seems to tangle less, but strangely caught less fish on this! (maybe coincidence as don't see that presentation can be much different?)

they are very basic rigs and if you are having trouble, outside of weed surf and fish causing tangles, there is a good chance it is something very simple that is wrong. try 20lb. amnesia for your hooklenghts and use small neat components/swivels and neat baits. chances are you will catch more fish too

john mitchell · Jan 22, 2019

Crabs tie your rig in knots and little congers

MrE · Jan 22, 2019

You don’t say what trace you use. Most on here will use amnesia as it is memory free. I use 15lb usually, but if it tangles I will use 20lb sometimes. Also what’s your target species? Rockling have a great knitting pattern as do whiting. Are you on a beach or structure (pier/Arm) that may make a difference (tidal pull etc)

I usually end up with no hooks with the crabs

Mr Fish · Jan 22, 2019

I have been known to use 30 or even 40lb Amnesia hook snoods on flappers - the fish don’t care and it cuts down on tangles

Although I say ‘flapper’, I nearly always put bait clips in there as it makes casting easier and keeps the bait intact

john mitchell · Jan 22, 2019

Small crabs and small conger will tie your traces in knots and silver eels will ruin your trace

inishowenrocker · Jan 22, 2019

As above what snood line you useing if is std mono it will tangle amnesia less so. I use 15lb up to 40lb no difference noticed if the lighter line tangles more or not. Crabs and pin whitting and smaller fish picking at hookbait will cause tangles. Snood length can make a difference but i use snooks form 6 inch to near 20inch

NIrishDane · Jan 22, 2019

JudyB pretty much nailed it, the srt springs and cascades keep the snoods fixed until impact with the water, great for distance casting.

On the other hand, if distance isn't essential, then you can use the S Steel twisted wire booms with short stiff snoods, just replace the swivels in your trace with these and good to go, no need for springs and tying down snoods. More true to the 'flapper' in this scenario.

Fishin Mortician · Jan 23, 2019

I suspect when new to fishing, we have all had our issues with the flapper. Exploring new rigs is always a good idea because you can gain little advantages here and there. However, that dumb old flapper will still bring the fish to you, and I suspect will be something you will still want to use going forward. So just fix it.

Long snoods tangle quickest. Thin whispy material wraps easily. So adjust a little until you can achieve a rig that stays unfouled for an acceptable length of time. By that I mean fouling is part and parcel to fishing with flappers, but fouling that is occurring quickly is not. Modify what you are using until you can get along.

Then once you get everything sorted out, you can experiment with lighter lines and longer lengths. I mean that is how I proceeded when I started out, and would check my baits only to discover a horribly mangled rig.

A few of my friends just untangle them and keep fishing as it doesn’t really bother them. I cringe when I see the stuff they are using, but they catch fish with it, so.....

You are supposed to be having fun during this, the discover phase.

jezm · Jan 23, 2019

Thanks for all your responses, I will try experimenting as described by you all and see how it goes.
The Flapper rigs I have been using are pre-made shop brought ones, 20lb Amnesia is the snood make up.
With all the info provided I think I will try making my own!!

Colin Chaplin · Jan 23, 2019

Hi One other thing with rigs is they do need to be straighten out or stretched a little, even if memory free, if they have been stored a while like pre-made ones in plastic bags or even home made in a rig wallet or on a rig winder, when you take them out for a fishing session

judyb · Jan 23, 2019

As above, rub through ya fingers under a little tension to straighten!

2 & 3 Hook Flappers

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