Specialist rigs · Boom and trace · wreck rig

Long flowing trace

A long trace streams out in the tide behind a boomed lead. The lure swims naturally while the lead taps the wreck or reef.

TIDEBraid mainline 30lbTubular boomkeeps the trace off the lead8–16oz leadheavier as the tide buildsBead + size 2 swivelTrace 20–30lb fluoro3–6m longSoft eel or shadon a 4/0–6/0 hook
Targets
Pollack, coalfish, cod, bass
Where
Boats over wrecks and reefs, drifting
Use it for
PollackLing

What you need

Mainline
30lb braid
Boom
15–25cm tubular boom
Lead
8–16oz, depending on tide
Swivel
Size 2, with a bead above
Trace
3–6m of 20–30lb fluoro
Lure
Soft eel or shad on a 4/0–6/0 hook

Build it

  1. Thread the boom onto the braid.
  2. Add a bead and tie on the swivel.
  3. Tie the long trace to the swivel.
  4. Rig the soft lure on its hook and tie it to the trace.
  5. Clip the lead to the boom.
On the beach

Drop until the lead touches, then wind up at a slow, steady pace for 20–40 turns. Pollack often tap first. Keep winding until the rod bends over, then lift.

Knots for this rig are in Knots. Line strengths, hook sizes and weights are starting points: scale them to your tackle, the ground and the tide. Diagrams are schematic and not to scale.