At right is the rig that I use with the best effect at the Docklands. It consists of a VMC baitholder hook (size 2) and two small split shot pressed on the line at 30 cm intervals above the hook.

The technique that I use is to drop the bait slowly down until you feel it touch the bottom and then lift it up about 1 foot off the bottom. Doing this stops any crabs that may be lurking around from grabbing the bait first.

The line I have been using is about 2 kilo. Even though I have recently caught a 1.2 kilo bream on it I think it would be best to go for about 4 kilo line strength or even have a go with braided line to reduce the bustoffs when the fish get to the poles covered in sharp mussels.The other rig I use is just a paternoster rig with a clip-on sinker at the bottom and the dropper being 30-50 cm above the sinker.

See Peter's weekly report here.