Hooks, Rigs & Terminal Tackle

What terminal tackle do coarse fishing rigs need?

A hook is chosen to suit the bait and the target fish. A small hook suits a single maggot and cautious silverfish, while a larger one is for pellets, corn and worms. Spade end hooks are light and discreet, and they are a favourite in match fishing. Eyed hooks are easy to knot, and ready-tied hooks save time on the bank. Many commercial fisheries insist on barbless hooks, so always check the rules for the water you fish.

Swivels, quick change links and feeder connectors make a rig quick to adjust. When the feeder is clipped on with a connector, switching to a heavier or lighter one takes seconds. Beads protect your knots, and float stops hold a float or feeder at the right point on the line.

Shotting lets you set how much a float carries and how the bait falls through the water. Split shot and styl weights give a slow, natural fall, while an olivette takes the bait down quickly past small fish to the bigger ones feeding lower down. Feeder and ledger weights hold the rig in place on the bottom, even in flowing water.

A plummet is one of the float angler's most important tools. Use it to find the exact depth before you start fishing, so the bait is presented at precisely the right height above the bottom. A few minutes spent plumbing up carefully often makes the difference between a slow session and a busy one.

Keep your terminal tackle in a box with compartments, so the right item is quick to find, even as the light fades.