Twig rig advice

[ChrisWales]

What are you using for a twig?
Any other rig advice for a novice Eel angler? (bits used for rigs etc)

[Jack H]

Hi Chris,

I got this kit off eBay a while ago, and although not had chance to use them, have tied a couple of rigs up with them. The twig is just a 100mm x 3mm length of clear acrylic rod held on with shrink tube. You can get this separately on eBay in longer lengths too. If you have a look at the AD YouTube channel, I believe Phil Spinks uses the catfish pro carbon tubing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185933941491

Jack

[ChrisWales]

Thanks for that.
I see the tube is available on eBay which makes that pricey for what it is but I suppose it's the convenience of it coming with a bit of silicone or shrink that fits.
I found the AD video, he used the carbon tubes which they no longer sell. Did you secure it with stops as per the vid?

[Pikerd74]

Thanks for that.
I see the tube is available on eBay which makes that pricey for what it is but I suppose it's the convenience of it coming with a bit of silicone or shrink that fits.
I found the AD video, he used the carbon tubes which they no longer sell. Did you secure it with stops as per the vid?

I bought some carbon tube from eBay the other week for a project, with a 2mm diameter 200mm long, you get 5 lengths, works out cheaper than the kits on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353030057153 ... media=COPY

I think Barry McConnell used bic pen ink tubes if I remember correctly.

[Jack H]

Thanks for that.
I see the tube is available on eBay which makes that pricey for what it is but I suppose it's the convenience of it coming with a bit of silicone or shrink that fits.
I found the AD video, he used the carbon tubes which they no longer sell. Did you secure it with stops as per the vid?

Not used the carbon tube myself, but have heard that float stops work fine.

Jack

[ChrisWales]

Hi Chris,

I got this kit off eBay a while ago, and although not had chance to use them, have tied a couple of rigs up with them. The twig is just a 100mm x 3mm length of clear acrylic rod held on with shrink tube. You can get this separately on eBay in longer lengths too. If you have a look at the AD YouTube channel, I believe Phil Spinks uses the catfish pro carbon tubing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185933941491

Jack

Just realised you mentioned the ebay one is rod rather than tube, make much difference you think running the line on the outside?
Regarding the diameter of a tube, are the thinners ones used so it can't get past the float stop or for better presentation? I was wondering if a wider one (say 5 to 8mm) stopped by a rubber bead and a float stop would be better at preventing deep hooking?

[Jack H]

Hi Chris,

I got this kit off eBay a while ago, and although not had chance to use them, have tied a couple of rigs up with them. The twig is just a 100mm x 3mm length of clear acrylic rod held on with shrink tube. You can get this separately on eBay in longer lengths too. If you have a look at the AD YouTube channel, I believe Phil Spinks uses the catfish pro carbon tubing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185933941491

Jack

Just realised you mentioned the ebay one is rod rather than tube, make much difference you think running the line on the outside?
Regarding the diameter of a tube, are the thinners ones used so it can't get past the float stop or for better presentation? I was wondering if a wider one (say 5 to 8mm) stopped by a rubber bead and a float stop would be better at preventing deep hooking?

I don’t see any difference in running the hook link on the outside of the twig. The whole idea of the twig is to aid in lip hooking and prevent deep hooking. Not sure whether the diameter is that important, as long as it’s rigid to stop them swallowing the hook. Got about a 1-2mm gap between the eye of the hook and the twig. Have a look at the National Angullia Club website. Lots of very useful information on rigs, and I’ve incorporated a lot of them into my rigs

https://www.nationalanguillaclub.co.uk/

Jack

[ChrisWales]

Been reading that, just digesting how to apply it all in practice :)

[stubbojo]

the important bit is the gap from the hook to the twig ....for it to do its correct job
the thinner ends of the tubes can be made slightly wider to trap the stops in place .

regards steve

[henrry71]

For a twig rig, I've heard that a small, flexible branch with a natural curve works well. Some anglers use a willow or alder twig, about the size of a pencil. As for rig advice, I'd recommend using a simple running ledger rig with a size 2 or 4 hook and a bait like worm or maggot. You can also try using a float rig with a small float and a baited hook.

[Fitas]

size 2 hooks things of the pass for eels now (can cause to much damage) Biggest I use now are 6s .

[ChrisWales]

Bought some carbon tube from ebay as mentioned above, I'll try and tie one up this week and post a pic for thoughts/feedback before use.
No Pike are present so I was thinking of flouro. Mainline is 15lb I think (can't recall of the top of my head), what BS flouro?
I think I have 6lb and 12lb Seaguar in the tacklebox

[Pikerd74]

Bought some carbon tube from ebay as mentioned above, I'll try and tie one up this week and post a pic for thoughts/feedback before use.
No Pike are present so I was thinking of flouro. Mainline is 15lb I think (can't recall of the top of my head), what BS flouro?
I think I have 6lb and 12lb Seaguar in the tacklebox

I would be tempted to go with the 12lb as I have found the knot strength in lower strains of floro to be an issue and Eels as you are aware can pull somewhat.

[ChrisWales]

Bought some carbon tube from ebay as mentioned above, I'll try and tie one up this week and post a pic for thoughts/feedback before use.
No Pike are present so I was thinking of flouro. Mainline is 15lb I think (can't recall of the top of my head), what BS flouro?
I think I have 6lb and 12lb Seaguar in the tacklebox

I would be tempted to go with the 12lb as I have found the knot strength in lower strains of floro to be an issue and Eels as you are aware can pull somewhat.

[ChrisWales]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?

twig.JPG

[stubbojo]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

i use a minimum of 20lb flouro or amnesia in black .....think 12 lb is too low if it gets snagged up ....bye bye eel .....there not tackle shy i have hooked them on 40lb wire intended for pike ......are you talking main line or the hook link here ,
.

steve

[ChrisWales]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

i use a minimum of 20lb flouro or amnesia in black .....think 12 lb is too low if it gets snagged up ....bye bye eel .....there not tackle shy i have hooked them on 40lb wire intended for pike ......are you talking main line or the hook link here ,
.

steve

12lb flor hook link, mainline is 18b mono

[stubbojo]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

i use a minimum of 20lb flouro or amnesia in black .....think 12 lb is too low if it gets snagged up ....bye bye eel .....there not tackle shy i have hooked them on 40lb wire intended for pike ......are you talking main line or the hook link here ,
.

steve

12lb flor hook link, mainline is 18b mono

the main lines ok ......think 12lb hook link for eels is a bit risky ,i would rather overkill myself on hook link strength, but thats me ...

steve

[davelumb]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

i use a minimum of 20lb flouro or amnesia in black .....think 12 lb is too low if it gets snagged up ....bye bye eel .....there not tackle shy i have hooked them on 40lb wire intended for pike ......are you talking main line or the hook link here ,
.

steve

12lb flor hook link, mainline is 18b mono

With a twig like that using 12lb for the hooklink offers no advantage I can see, it's certainly not going to be supple. I'm with Steve, 20lb makes more sense.

[stubbojo]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

i use a minimum of 20lb flouro or amnesia in black .....think 12 lb is too low if it gets snagged up ....bye bye eel .....there not tackle shy i have hooked them on 40lb wire intended for pike ......are you talking main line or the hook link here ,
.

steve

12lb flor hook link, mainline is 18b mono

With a twig like that using 12lb for the hooklink offers no advantage I can see, it's certainly not going to be supple. I'm with Steve, 20lb makes more sense.

the 20lb floro dave is for stiffness not really for its invisible properties ....which is debatable in any case ......or better still wire

[davelumb]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

i use a minimum of 20lb flouro or amnesia in black .....think 12 lb is too low if it gets snagged up ....bye bye eel .....there not tackle shy i have hooked them on 40lb wire intended for pike ......are you talking main line or the hook link here ,
.

steve

12lb flor hook link, mainline is 18b mono

With a twig like that using 12lb for the hooklink offers no advantage I can see, it's certainly not going to be supple. I'm with Steve, 20lb makes more sense.

the 20lb floro dave is for stiffness not really for its invisible properties ....which is debatable in any case ......or better still wire

I use 20lb Mason's Hard Mono for my worm rig hooklinks for stiffness too. It's stiffer than the wire I use for my deadbait rigs.

[Fitas]

So here is the 1st effort, 12lb floro, 10 hook, carbon tube, float stops.
Thoughts?
twig.JPG

I use 30lb braid and quicksliver trace also move you twig closer to the hook

[ChrisWales]

Ok taken onboard
I was thinking of the old "hooklink weaker than mainline" adage in my Eel noobness Will see what hooklength alternatives I have in.
Other than hooklength strength and moving twig closer, acceptable?

[Solihullangler]

Best advice and a very good eel angler told me this .... chuck them in the bin

[Bob Watson]

Best advice and a very good eel angler told me this .... chuck them in the bin

Elaborate!

[Solihullangler]

Basically they are not as effective as using very short rigs and looking more at bite indication . The days of open bail arms and rollovers etc is past .
The advice I was given and shown was 3 inch hook traces of strong braid over wire . Running rigs with the use of ceramic catfish run rings for most affective movement .
At the rod end alarms and tight lines pointed at each bait individually . A slack baitrunner setting that does not differ in resistance when the eel takes .

I saw how affective this was and exactly how many eels were lip hooked and it was in my opinion revolutionary .

Hope this helps . I was all for twig rigs myself until I became party to this information

[Solihullangler]

Ok taken onboard
I was thinking of the old "hooklink weaker than mainline" adage in my Eel noobness Will see what hooklength alternatives I have in.
Other than hooklength strength and moving twig closer, acceptable?

Kryston gold braid would be my advice . Forget any light hook lengths and defo forget nylon or fluorocarbon . Strong braid or nylon coated wire . Eels particularly big eels have very abrasive teeth and will easily saw through any nylon or fluoro.

[stubbojo]

Ok taken onboard
I was thinking of the old "hooklink weaker than mainline" adage in my Eel noobness Will see what hooklength alternatives I have in.
Other than hooklength strength and moving twig closer, acceptable?

Kryston gold braid would be my advice . Forget any light hook lengths and defo forget nylon or fluorocarbon . Strong braid or nylon coated wire . Eels particularly big eels have very abrasive teeth and will easily saw through any nylon or fluoro.

never ever had one saw through 20lb flouro in my life time .....and if they are sawing through its taken it down to far ....thats why the twig rig was invented to stop this happening.

steve