Ballan wrasse

• Heavy, blunt head, thick lips
• A long dorsal with spines then soft rays
• Colour from green to rust to blotched brown — very variable
• Smallish mouth with obvious teeth

A 35 cm wrasse is a good shore fish. 45 cm+ is a proper one.

Colour

Highly variable: green, rust, blotched.

Fins

Long dorsal, spiny at the front.

Mouth

Thick lips, obvious teeth.

Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.

• Peeler crabPeel it, leave the catch-legs if you like, bind it on a Pennel so it survives the cast. Half a crab for wrasse, a whole for a hound.Strong target
• Hardback crabCrush the carapace or hook through the edge so juices leak. Bind it.Strong target
• RagwormHook once through the head so it wriggles. A whole king rag for bass; a small harbour rag for dabs.Good target
• PrawnHook through the tail so it swims, or a bunch of frozen prawns bound on.Good target
• LimpetThe meat on a strong hook, bound if it is soft. Drop it into the hole; do not punch it 80 yards.Good target
• Artificial luresMatch the baitfish. Work the lure; do not leave it on the sand like a lead.Possible target

• Basic wrasse rigA short, tough hook length and a small lead, fished into a hole in the kelp. Winch, do not give line.Beginner
• Float rigA bait suspended under a float for wrasse, mullet, garfish and the odd bass. You watch the float, not a rod tip.Intermediate
• Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner
• LRF / light lureA very light lure rod, a tiny jig head or creature, and a close hunt for wrasse, pollock, school bass and whatever lives in the first drop.Intermediate

Hooks: 1–3/0, strong. They have teeth.