Wessex Rig - Sea Angling beach fishing rig - one up and one down

Join me in the workshop as I spend time making rigs ahead of a another flounder session I have planned. The Wessex rig is a flexible rig that gives good bite indication and can be tailored for specific species and locations.
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[@brianfalconer9499]

Yes, I think I might prefer the clipdown version Mark - but the proof is in the pudding etc. Tight lines!

[@seaangling]

I think the clipped down will be more in tune with what I need but the “flop” version is good for estuaries and close in. 🎣👍🏻

[@weirdglezga7234]

Evening Mark, i always add a stop knot above the hook as well, so when u lose the hook, for whatever reason, u keep the floaters, good luck

[@seaangling]

Top tip, I’ll add that to the memory banks.

[@glencronin1592]

Well explained Mark, read comments so can't make any without repeating, cheers for you video and you time mate. 👍👍👍🎣🎣🎣

[@seaangling]

The comments really add value to any of the films and certainly help me to fine tune my fishing.

[@glencronin1592]

Hi Mark, made a rig that you demonstrated, well successful caught two flounders and 10 whiting, I know when you used the one you made nothing caught, well I think it is a good rig cheers mate.👍👍👍🎣🎣🎣

[@seaangling]

I have every confidence in the rig, you can only catch what is in front of you. 😉🎣👍🏻

[@trampster7306]

Another great video thanks Mark! Your recent rig tutorial videos have all been brilliant - love 'em! If you keep Beavering away in that workshop, you'll end up growing a flappy flat Beaver tail! 😁😁. I was taught to tie Blood knots fishing as a youngster and used them for years, but recently with some lines, I've found they have ben pulling out, so Uni knots for everything now. Look forward to the clipped down version of this rig! Stay safe & well, best regards - Dave. 🎣🎣👍👍

[@seaangling]

I think a whole generation of us grew up with tying blood knots and I also used them for many years. I think a Uni-knot covers most applications from line to spool, shockleader and rigs/components. The clipped down will be along soon. 👍🏻

[@DeanC]

Recently I've started to clip down the top hook (I build with a long top snood) using impact lead or using a rig clip to attach to the running ledger. Helps with the casting on windy days.

[@seaangling]

That is planned for another video 😉

[@kerseili6887]

Funnily enough I just made my first Wessex rig the other day, double shot flounder first chuck :) I used a zip slider for the running ledger aspect

[@seaangling]

A zip slider will spread the load on the line over a bigger area than the pulley but I only had large boat type in my rig box. I’ll have a look for some lighter versions. 👍🏻

[@andycollings4302]

It's a good rig. Ive used it since I was a young teenager. Though I probably used it out in a boat over reefs more than shore. Over reefs the top hook is like a sign/flag to where your bigger bottom bait is, playing on the fishes inquisitive nature. You could put a small/medium rubber lure on the top hook, I have even seen someone put a thin strip of yellow oilskin as the flag. I've been using Kamasan B940s for quite a few years now, they're surprisingly very strong. It's always good to see how other people's views and tying of rigs. Great video Mark

[@seaangling]

Interesting stuff there Andy and you’ve got my brain spinning thinking about my boat rigs. 👍🏻

[@Alexxx---101]

The wessex rig has caught me many fish over the years. I use clevises for spoons/blades which works well. 👍

[@seaangling]

I like the clevises for the metal spoons and how they make it free running, these blades are very light.

[@gary-dn4uw]

Nice video again Mark🐟👏

[@seaangling]

Cheers Gary 🎣👍🏻

[@stuartcoleman7421]

Looks really good rig, one thing I might consider is the White floating beads on a really short hook trace on the bottom. When you drag the weight and stir the bottom up, the fish will see the white beads and riggling worms just off the bottom. In my mind it would look good to a flattie who looks up.

[@seaangling]

Fair point and worth an experiment with another rig, fish them side by side. 👍🏻

[@thejinxeffect]

Was using one today. Used this rig for smoothies and rays held up well but put a rig clip on the bottom swivel so I can remove the bottom hook length if I get a decent fish to unhook. Worked really well with the smoothies in a landing net as I didnt have the rest of the rig to worry about.

[@seaangling]

That is a really good point with a beefed up version including a rig clip, I can see how that would work. 🎣👍🏻

[@thejinxeffect]

@@seaangling easy to slip through gills without cutting line too.

[@paulwalkey9672]

Great video would have been a good idea to put a stop knot between the flapper and the weight just for a bit of resistance from a fish hooked on the ledger part 👍

[@seaangling]

Fair point and something I hadn’t thought of👍🏻

[@robinbrooks1840]

Thanks for that I will try it

[@seaangling]

Let me know what you think and more importantly, what you catch. 🎣🎣

[@joshuaburke493]

Love these fine wire hooks, since started using them my catch rate has increased massively, always use them on my scratching rigs, I use size 4,6 and 2. Always give them a slight offset before I fish it.

[@seaangling]

An offset is a cracking idea, all of my flounder fishing as a kid had offset hooks. 🎣👍🏻

[@joshuaburke493]

@@seaangling had a great session catching sole a while back with them. Hopefully I’ll have some luck with the founder again soon

[@eoindowney651]

I use a similar arrangement. I use detachable hook snoods for the one down section. This is the one that I find gets a bit more trashed around and more prone to the crabs pulling at it and doggies. Also allows you to change up the attractant etc if it's not doing the business .

[@seaangling]

And I’m guessing it is easier to have spare snoods baited and ready to swap over? What is your preferred clip for the detachable snood?

[@eoindowney651]

@@seaangling ya just incase you hit into something good, time is of the essence in that state of tide etc. Gemini do a nice long narrow snood link and I marry that to one of the 45lbs swivels. Nice and neat and streamline. I use about 10mm of rig tubing just over the snood knot onto the snood link as I am a little bit worried about the knot catching itself in the corner of the eye of the link. Hope I explained myself clearly. It is probably over kill but it gives me more confidence

[@seaangling]

@@eoindowney651 sounds good. Confidence is everything. 🎣👍🏻

[@George_Vargiamides]

One of my favorite rigs, though with some tweaks. 0,25 mm diameter hook snoods, No3 or 4 hook size and a "home made" runner instead of the Gemini pulley bead, which I can not find it in Greece. I use a big swivel and a little piece of tubing in one of its eyes. Attractors are optional but useful in a lot of circumstances.

[@seaangling]

Can you not have terminal tackle delivered from the UK?

[@George_Vargiamides]

@@seaangling of course you can, but you have to compromise a lot. Most of the made in UK tackle, are designed to deal with specific needs which can be met worldwide, not just UK or Norway. For example, I want to send a sardine filet at distances more than 80-90 meters away, targeting bass or gilted seabream. These fish require long snood. The best rig is up and over. With out the the tackle you, the Brits, made, that would be almost impossible. In the last two years I am using the Hangover and I am really happy with it. So tiny, but so useful. Absolutely spot on. I really love the British way of sea fishing.

[@shakyangler]

I wouldn't use that 😝. Only joking great rig and as always great at explaining how to make it.

[@seaangling]

Cheers buddy, maybe with these frosts the flounders might switch on. 😉

[@mikelong8898]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.If you don't try, you never know. Looking forward to finding out how it fishes over a few sessions.👍

[@seaangling]

I have a plain version that has a shorter body to fish side by side. Alex suggested using clevises.

[@fatfishchaser3803]

My favourite rig, however I’ve adapted it so I can now fish it better on the boat too

[@seaangling]

You’ve got me thinking now because if I beefed it up it would be a good boat rig, I tend to fish a single running ledger.

[@fatfishchaser3803]

@@seaangling bit of rig tubing on top snood so it stands off, running boom on bottom again with a bit of tubing after the swivel to help kick it. Up the lb of the line and a Pennel on the bottom. Works wonders acts as a bolt rig but with the top hook covering what the bottom missed lol

[@nickmann2916]

Hi mate not one I have used but looks like a boat rig with a flying collar might be worth a go of a pier or harbour wall with the pop up beads nice video again tight lines mate

[@seaangling]

The clipped down version of the same rig will probably be the one I use most.

[@Alsvargy]

I opt for white beads on my snoods, seem to give me more fish on the beach.

[@seaangling]

Interesting as I rarely use white unless I am targeting bass.

[@Alsvargy]

@@seaangling My numbers have gone up in respect to bass, flounder and dabs since fishing with white beads. Cheers for the video bud 👌🏼

[@simonsmith6126]

I use an srt spring and a cascade swivel on this rig so i can still clip it down if i want distance

[@seaangling]

That’s for another video 😉

[@petermoore4267]

Mark would you mind showing the knot you use more in depth i use a uni knot but find its not snug on thicker mono

[@seaangling]

Yes buddy, I’ll put it in my little book of things to do. 😉👍🏻 I have used this knot on 150 mono and landed big fish with it.

[@kennyj1552]

Personally my favourite and rig I always use 1 up 1 down wessex with 1/0 aberdeens never fails me multiple fish per session from weaver fish flatfish eel whiting doggies up to big bass.pulley pennel flapper rigs I use on my other rod the 1 up 1 down always gives me 5 fish to 1 on any other rig I use per session mine have no beads or popups and work fine only down side sometimes you get deep hooked fish

[@seaangling]

When I make changes to rigs I like to fish both versions side by side and rarely see a plain rig out fish one with bejazzle.

[@johnhamilton9991]

Great video Mark. I’ve just found and subscribed to this channel which is of particular relevance to me as I fish in the same area on the South Coast. I’d be grateful to know where to buy “dogleg” forceps, as I can’t seem to find them on Google. Thanks again.

[@seaangling]

I’ve just had a search and can’t find them either. I don’t understand how these search engines work but they are a thing and do exist. They must have another name. Offset maybe 🤔

[@johnhamilton9991]

@@seaangling Thanks for the reply. I’ve tried “offset” as well but no joy.

[@jeffreymiddleton8343]

Hi Mark went sun fished the mersey got 18 whiting 10 dabs biggest dad 29 centimetres

[@seaangling]

We have some marks close by where dabs are possible but they are few and usually very small. I’m not sure but I think you get more east towards Kent. Top angling by you for those numbers 🎣👍🏻

[@fishjam45]

Another great video. Did you manage to make the clipped down version yet?

[@seaangling]

5’ clipped down is the next rig making and part of the series using the longer rods. There is the 3 hook clipped making… 3 hook clipped down rig tutorial/discussion pt2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHvUm4aBndKhjMk

[@fishjam45]

@@seaangling Cheers Mark. I've recently started using the wessex rig from the video you posted - cheers. Would like to see you making a clipped down version of itto help get a better distance.

[@michaelsimpson5812]

One of my favourite rings Very much simplified compared to yours Interested to see it fish

[@seaangling]

I have made a no bajazzle version that is shorter to fish them side by side. 🎣👍🏻