Pennel rig
IntermediateAlso called Pennel hook length
Two hooks on one bait — one in the head, one in the body. The way to fish a crab, a squid wrap or a big worm.
Hold a large bait and hook a fish that grabs the tail.
Two hooks in series on one bait. You have to space them, bind the bait, and unhook a fish that may have both hooks. Not extra casting skill — extra presentation care.
Diagram
When to use
A crab, a squid wrap, a big worm or a side of fish that a single hook will not hold, and a fish that often grabs the tail.
Bass, rays, hounds, any fish on a whole crab or a side of mackerel.
Ground and marks
Beach, Estuary, Rock mark, River mouth. Ground: sand, mixed, mud.
A crab, a squid wrap, a big worm or a side of fish that a single hook will not hold, and a fish that often grabs the tail.
Small dabs and whiting on a size 6. Two hooks in a fish you intend to return means be ready to cut. Do not mix hook sizes.
A moving tide carries the scent. Slack water on a ray mark is often a rest, not the bite time. Bass want the first of the flood more than dead high.
Marks: Beach, Estuary, Rock mark, River mouth. Ground: sand, mixed, mud.
Top hook through the head of the bait, bottom hook in the body, a small gap so the bait can still move. Bind crab and wraps. Cast, tighten, wait — this is a bait that needs time.
Hooks 1/0–4/0, matched pair. Lead: Whatever the mark needs.
Hook length 20–40 lb (heavier for rays). Two matched hooks in series, same size. Bait elastic for crab and wraps. Lead as the mark needs. A buffer bead if the lead is running.
How to tie it
- 01Top hook through the head of the bait, bottom hook in the body.
- 02Leave a small gap so the bait can still move.