How to Tie John Popplewell’s Sole Rig

Sole and Other Flatfish Rig

The weight at the top of the sole rig trace helps keep the hooks tight on the bottom and the appropriately sized hooks cope with the comparatively small mouth of the sole.

Sole Rig Components

Main Body

3 x Trace Swivels

1 x Gemini Genie Rig Link Clip

1 x ½ – 1 oz drilled bullet, egg or barrel lead

1 x Snood Swivel

2 x Small Breads

2 x Crimps

1 x 8mm Bead

1 x Flat Finn Breakfree Lead or Breakaway Flattie Lead

Approx 1.5 m length 60lb BS Ultima Powerflex Trace Line

Snoods

Optional rig tubing for standoff

Optional sequin bait stop or attractors

2 x 20lb BS Ultima Proteus Fluorocarbon Snoods

2 x Size 6 – 2 Kamasan B940 hooks

The Rig Body

1. Tie a swivel to a length of the trace line, thread on drilled lead then tie on the rig clip. Several short lengths can be pre-made with different weights of drilled leads to make it easy to swap for lighter or heavier weights.
2. Tie a swivel to the remainder of the rig body line then add a crimp / bead / swivel / bead / crimp and thread on the weight and buffer bead before tying on the bottom swivel. Locate the snood swivel and crimp in place.
3. Tie a section of the snood line to the snood swivel then attach the hook together with any attractors.
4. Repeat 3 for the bottom hook off the final swivel.

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There are numerous sources of terminal tackle both locally and on-line, here are a few suggestions –

• UK Hooks
• Gerry’s Fishing
• Veals
• Glasgow Angling Centre
• Gemini Tackle
• Breakaway Tackle