There are two more commonly used rigs on the channel. These are the pulley rig and the paternoster.

Below is an example of a pulley rig. When the fish is hooked, it pulls at the hook causing the line to slide through the swivel attatched to the shockleader and raise the lead out of the rocks.

The other two rigs shown are Paternosters. Instead of the pulley arrangement the snood is fixed to the body of the rig by a swivel trapped betwen two beads.

Below is a picture of a lead lift. This acts like a wing and helps bring the lead to the surface when retrieving. I just make them from old icecream tubbs etc. They are great for venues where you have to retrieve over shallow snaggy ground.

Below is a picture of a rotton bottom. This allows the lead to break free via a weak piece of line (about 10lb) that is attatched to the lead and the end of the rig. To stop the weak line from snapping on casting, the lead is held by a metal clip which releases on impact on the water by a hollow bead being knocked up and releasing the lead. There are various different designs for these. I think that this is the most reliable and safest. I would not advise pendulum casting with any rotton bottom.

When it comes to weights 4-6oz is usually ok. Grippers are nearly allways required. I nearly allways manage with a 5oz. Some of the bigger tides can soon pull out a gripper, so you may need to up the size on bigger tides.

Now heres some great stuff. Bait elastic. Bind up your bait with it and it stays on the hook beautifully. To terminate it simply wind it more tightly around the same point a few times. A rig wallet is another great investment. Mine cost less than ten quid, has four decent size nylon pockets and loads of see through plastic pockets inside to keep your rigs tidy.