I got to agree Keith dongles are great . Minimal damage to the fish .lip hooked every time.. and really quick to bait up using your method with a pin and hooked bait needle. Good if in a match 😁🎣👍

 

I've seen pics online before but never had the confidence to try. Mostly because I never see it in use on the beach. When I use to target cod up north, I'd thread mussels onto the hook, up the line and after whipping pop them into coin bags and freeze solid. On the beach I'd simply attach to the rig with a loop to loop knot and whack out a mussel lollypop. I could see the dongle rig being a more neater more effective way of doing it.

 

As you know Keith it's my go to set up for most of my fishing the hook up rate is far better minimal damage to fish and also a great way to fish on the rough ground .

 

for a clip-down rig, which bit would you clip on? is it the little loop at the bottom of the braid?

 

Yes, you just have to make sure that the loop is big enough to freely go over the bait clip. I use imps but haven't tried them on clips like splashdowns.

 

I use my dongle rig on imps and splashdowns with no issues.
I use 2 lengths of 200lb braid knotted together for my "hair" which does the job as I couldn't get heavier braid at the time.
I have total confidence in this rig even though I have only been using it for a short time.

 

I use my dongle rig on imps and splashdowns with no issues.
I use 2 lengths of 200lb braid knotted together for my "hair" which does the job as I couldn't get heavier braid at the time.
I have total confidence in this rig even though I have only been using it for a short time.
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Can I ask , when casting sometimes the lead and line will helicopter, wont this tangle the lines?

 

SORRY NOTSO,ive never heard of them {new to me},the only DONGLE i know about is the 1 im using now on my lap/top.
gather its classed as an areral.

 

Do they still do dongles for lappys and PC's , thats so 2000 lol . You do know you can run a pc / laptop from your phone today.... it's called "tethering" but most phones today do away with all that if you know how to use it , its a super computer in your pocket 😜

 

Cracking post bud.

Matt

 

Have heard of them but never seen them in action. Anything that eliminates deep hooking needs to be investigated further. Cheers I will look into it. Thanks

 

It's also a cracking way of live baiting for bass Keith

 

I've used it for a few years with crab or mussel baits baits aimed at plaice using size 2 Varivas semis. Stops them and any flounder getting gut hooked

 

The great Mr Billy Fishing uses them a lot. Good info on his Youtube channel on making & fishing them.

 

Good video but I'm not sure wire is suitable for non toothy fish.
I think one of the advantages of Braid is that the fish doesn't feel anything till it has actually taken the bait and is swallowing it.

 

I agree Keith with braid .Or braid builder line they don't feel it compared to wire dongle . I use braided builders . line cheap compared to fishing braid does the job🎣👍

 

Hi Ian. Do you mean the stuff builders use for plumb lines etc.... hadn't thought of using that.

 

I do mine a bit different

 

I have been watching the videos on this particular rig. And I must say that the perfection knot ie hook attachment does look a bit fiddly. Is it a be all end all knot? as I think a bowline would suffice. It doesn't slip, and you could probably undo it if you need to change a hook. And most of all I can do it blindfolded ha. I'm going to tie a dongle rig this week with a bowline too test its strength.

 

Morning Keith. I think your probably right. Any knot that doesn't slip but allows the hook to move freely on the loop, would probably be OK. I know some people don't bother with a loop at all.

I actually use this one

Redirect Notice

 

I really don't see what all the fuss is about with this dongle mularky when a good old pulley/pulley pennell rig will do the job for 90% of shore fishing around the UK why complicate matters the mind boggles

 

I get your point bud#why change things up that have worked efficiently for decades. I'm simply trying too eliminate deep hooked fish. Especially rays caught from the boat. As in the past I have seen first hand, the condition of a ray after it has been cut free from a hook. They are like razor blades#no meat whatsoever. And too increase my hook up rate. I have too say a circle hook on the bass is a must have in my eyes I have never gut hooked a bass since using sakuma circles.

 

The main thing for me is that it almost 100% eliminates deep hooking .

 

Definitely the best thing about the dongle rig is that you get far fewer deep hookings, even greedy dogfish are normally lip hooked. I don't normally fish rough ground so any perceived benefits I cant comment on. Its not a rig for every occasion but its top of my list when targetting most of our larger species.

I tie together a length of 30lb braid which has been folded over twice (i.e. 4 lengths), tie one end to the bend of the hook and leave a small loop at the bottom to go on the imp. I use a loop knot to tie the hook on but i'm not 100% convinced it make that much difference. (it might with really heavy nylon, but i normally use 45lb which is still fairly flexible)

At first I experimented with a small (size 6) hook with the barb and point cut off tied to the end rather than a loop. My theory was it made the braid easier to thread into the bait. I did actually catch a few small fish on this hook rather than the circle. They came off nice and easy as there was no point of barb.

Does anyone use barbless hook for sea fishing?

 

Every rig i use i debarb the hook as i do with lures spinners and coarse fishing and fly fishing, i notice no increase in losing fish compared to when i used barbed hooks.

 

I told one of the kayak boys on here about the dongle a while ago as he was not happy with deep hooked rays . He tried it and as far I I know is still using the method and has reduced his deep hookups.

 

Also, does anyone know of a brand of circle with a reduced wire thickness? When you get them hooked up over rough ground the usual thickness ones are a bugger to pull out.

 

Sakuma circles come in two wire sizes.
440 is finer than the 445.

Sakuma 440 Circle Pro Series Hooks - Sakuma

Black nickel. Ringed eye. Forged. With a special bend and point that make this pattern more user friendly than most conventional circle hooks. Suitable for catch and release as the design will prevent the deep hooking of fish. Perfect in the smaller sizes for plaice, flounder, dabs and bream and...

www.sakuma.co.uk

Sakuma 445 Circle Extra Pro Series Hooks - Sakuma

A heavy duty version of the 440 Circle hook in a range of larger sizes which are suitable for tackling species such as Shark, Skate, Conger and Ray in deep water and fast tides. Features include a chemically sharpened point with an anti-corrosive black nickel finish with a super strong forged...

www.sakuma.co.uk

 

Been using HAIR rig for 20 +years , very effective up loughor, hair rigging 4/5 of those small bait robbing crabs, only difference was there is no need to leave a loop for bait clip.
Where the name dongle came from ?, its a hair rig, been out for very long time.

 

Hi Mike. Yes your right it is basically a hair rig. ( Dongle )
The original " Dingle Dangle rig " was I believe a South African method that included a weak link to the weight. These are great if your fishing rough ground.
The dongle ( hair rig ) is just an adaption that can also be used with a rotten bottom of your choice .

 

Hi Mike. Yes your right it is basically a hair rig. ( Dongle )
The original " Dingle Dangle rig " was I believe a South African method that included a weak link to the weight. These are great if your fishing rough ground.
The dongle ( hair rig ) is just an adaption that can also be used with a rotten bottom of your choice .

Ive being doing alot on the rough last few weeks, i use cheap octopus beak hooks 5/0s and 9 times out of 10 the blondes have been had on the top hook,
Personally id rather a hook each end of my bait.

 

There is nothing new about “ the Dongle “ It’s been used abroad for many years and has been introduce over here for quite a while, yet it is still not used or talked about as much as it deserves to be,

So, what is “ a Dongle “ ?
Originally used in South Africa I believe, its was designed to fish a big bait leaving the hook completely exposed. It also had the benefit or incorporating a weak link running to the lead so that if snagged it would break away leaving the fish still retrievable.
See video ….
The Original and True Dongle Rig (Dingle Dangle Rig) Explained - Bing video

Since arriving over here the idea has generally been used in the form of a “hair rig” much the same as those use by carp anglers.
Consisting of a circle hook to which is attached a length of strong ( 300lb ) Braid, onto which the bait is mounted. With a loop at the end of the braid to attach it to the bait clip of your choice. I also use a small plastic pin to stop the bait sliding off.
I prepare my baits on a hooked baiting needle and simply slide it onto the dongle.

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As can be seen the hook point is clear and prominent and there is little risk of it becoming masked by the bait.
When I was first shown one several years ago I wasn’t convinced.
Having been accustomed to using a Pennel set up, the two hooked bait up had given me confidence that the bait was well presented and that one of the hooks would hit home. Reverting back to a single hook, all be it a circle did leave an element of doubt in my mind.
It shouldn’t have, as from the first bite I’ve found that the hook ups are really positive, with the hook invariably firmly set in the corner of the fishes mouth

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I’ve noticed that 90% of the time the baited dongle is on the outside of the mouth. I can only assume that the bait is initially swallowed by the fish and is ejected during being landed.
I do not believe this method attracts any more fish than any other method but I am convinced that the hook ups are more and that few if any bites are missed. This method almost entirely eliminates deep hooking, which I feel is a great benefit and makes it 100% more fish friendly that any other method.
No more damaged and bleeding fish, no more prodding around for deep hooks or cutting them off. Quick and easy unhooking and returning the fish is great. ( even the woofs suffer less )
Todate I’ve caught Rays, Hounds, Conger, Cod, Bass. Black Bream and Huss using this method. I’m sure it can also be adapted to catch other species like flatfish and others

So if you haven’t tried this method yet …. Give it a go, I’m confident that most of you will be surprised by it and hopefully converted to using it.


Happy ( Dongle ) Hooking .... Notso

I have used a dongle rig. I use a single strand of dacron and knot it at intervals with a granny knot to help hold the bait by using elastic thread. I seal both ends with the cool part of a lighter flame and put the point of the hook close through one end. I use de-barbed circle hooks.

 

Do you think there would be a way of doing it without losing precious leads notso? Could it be adapted so the leads stay Insitu.

 

Yolo I normally use a dongle on a no-bar rig a variation of bagnal bar rig for my ray fishing.also on a pulley for hounds . And a 2 hook wessex for my bassing .. all with fixed leads on clean ground . Hope this helps 🎣👍

 

If you fish rough ground you will alway loose a few leads with rotten bottoms, or whole rigs if you don't.
If you just use the dongle ( hair rig ) on clean ground you can use it on any normal rig body.