Basic beach rigs are the simplest of all terminal set-ups: running sinker, paternoster, and un-weighted casting rigs lead the list – but have a good look at these alternatives that Andrew McGovern has been using to great effect. They may just increase your catch!
Over the years I have been experimenting with some innovative twin rigs. A couple of the more commonly used twin rigs that have been around for years comprise of a surf popper rigged above some form of natural fish bait and a soft plastic rigged above a natural bait. These are both very successful set-ups for the surf but can they be taken further?
A metal stinger / fly combination is an excellent early morning prospecting tool when you have a deep trough close to shore. Impart pauses as your rig gets close to shore to allow the rig to sink close to the bottom.
I have found a number of highly successful twin rigs that can basically double your chances of hooking a fish. By using a number of combinations that include pre-rigged soft plastics, saltwater flies, micro plastics, metal slugs, and natural baits it has allowed us to fish two techniques on the same rig. The end result has been consistently better catch rates over enough beach sessions to now mean that our twin rigs are our standard starting set-ups.
The choice of rig depends on how you intend to fish and you will need to decide whether to fish stationary bait or to utilise a cast and retrieve approach. Most of the rigs we will run through in this article can be used with both approaches; however, the effectiveness of some rigs can diminish in some scenarios.
If a well formed and defined feature such as a gutter, trough, or hole has been clearly identified, and importantly, is within comfortable casting distance from the shore, I opt for a stationary approach. I use a rig with a sinker heavy enough to hold bottom against the current and the tide so that is remains in the one spot until I decide to retrieve the line. This approach relies on the fish moving through and finding your presentation.
Rigs used for stationary presentations must employ one natural bait in the rig to get the highest catch rates. The reason for this is that the natural bait will act as a bit of a berley trail for both that bait and the artificial lure or fly on that single rig to attract fish. The most common baits used for stationary presentations are whole fish baits such as pilchards, yellow tail, garfish, tommy ruff, slimy mackerel, or mullet. Strip baits can be used but have not been as productive as the above mentioned whole fish options. If you are using a soft plastic and bait combination, always add some scent to the plastic. Whether it be S Factor, SpikeIt or another scent.
There are a few different combination rigs that work well which all revolve around a cast and retrieve approach. Steer away from any natural baits with cast and retrieve rigs as the repetitive casting will quickly compromise the integrity of the bait which will become ripped and torn from the dynamic nature of casting in the surf. The other reason I rarely use bait while moving is that to transport the bait requires a bucket which means you need to constantly stop and place the bucket on the ground before casting. As this method requires you to constantly move along a beach it is more efficient to limit tackle and ensure your hands are free, except for your rod. This means you can constantly cast and retrieve while walking along without having to back track. A backpack that is capable of holding several spools of leader, a small tackle box for metal lures, flies, and soft plastics, pliers, scissors, and a water bottle is more than adequate. The only other accessory that will be handy is a small hand towel to dry your hands after handling a fish.
There is so much more to beach fishing than ‘pilchard pelting’. By thinking outside the square and using any of the combination rigs outlined here you may just find that your catch rates on the sand increase. After all, the key to consistent sport fishing success is to combine the most effective methods available with purpose designed tackle!
