Haddock

• Black lateral line
• Dark oval ‘thumbprint’ above the pectoral fin
• Three dorsal fins
• Chin barbel smaller than a cod’s

Shore fish, when they turn up, are often 30–45 cm.

Colour

Purplish-grey back, silver sides, black lateral line, dark blotch above the pectoral.

Fins

Three dorsals; the first is triangular.

Mouth

Smaller than a cod, small barbel.

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

• LugwormThread the worm so the hook is hidden and the tail still moves. A bunch for bigger fish; a single for dabs.Strong target
• MusselSeveral mussels bound into a bunch. They fly off a hook if you do not bind them.Good target
• SquidA strip on a flapper; a whole small squid or a wrap over fish on a Pennel.Good target
• RagwormHook once through the head so it wriggles. A whole king rag for bass; a small harbour rag for dabs.Possible target

• 2-hook flapperThe default UK beach rig. Two snoods above a lead, baits off the bottom, easy to tie, easy to fish.Beginner
• 1-up 1-downOne bait on a snood above the lead, one on a flowing trace below. Covers the bottom and a few inches up.Beginner
• Pulley rigThe lead hangs on a pulley so a fish pulling up helps break the lead out. A rough-ground friend.Intermediate

Hooks: 1–2/0