This rig is specifically designed to catch flatfish such as plaice and flounder. Three hook snoods are used on this rig as this allows three different baits to be used and also builds up a stronger scent trail to attract fish. In the diagram above the snoods have six 8mm beads on them as it is known that flatfish, especially plaice, are attracted to the movement and vibrations of beads and sequins. It is possible to go even further with this and fit sequins, spoons and additional beads to the snoods. This rig is best suited to short-range fishing over clean, sandy beaches as the number of flapping hooks cuts down on casting range and makes this rig more likely to catch on snags. The diagram above also shows a separate snood designed for targeting sole. This is different because sole are not thought to be attracted to beads and sequins so there is no point in adding them to snoods. Also, since sole feed hard on the seabed it is a good idea to add a light drilled bullet weight to the snoods so that the bait is kept hard against the seabed. Small size 1 are used in this rig as these are the most appropriate size for flatfish which have small mouths. Typically a fine wire Aberdeen pattern is used to target flatfish, although specific flatfish hooks which have a long shank and small gape are increasingly popular with UK anglers.
Components needed to make this rig:
- Large swivel x 1
- Small swivels x 3
- Link x 1
- Crimps x 6
- Micro beads x 6
- Sequins x 3
- 8mm beads x 18
- Size 1 hooks x 2
- 60lb line
- 20lb snood line
- Neoprene/rig tubing
- For sole fishing snoods: 8mm beads not needed but micro beads x 2 and ½ or ¼ oz drilled bullet weights are needed instead, and size 1 hooks should be swapped for size 4 to 6 hooks.