How to Set Up a Pulley Pennel Rig for Winter Cod

By Gerry’s Fishing

When the temperatures drop and the winter storms churn up the coastline, the heavyweights move in. Targeting winter cod from the shore often means fishing over heavy, snaggy, kelp-strewn ground and punching out massive, scent-filled baits like whole squid, peeler crab, and huge lugworm wraps. To present these baits perfectly while giving yourself the best chance of actually landing a hooked fish, one rig stands head and shoulders above the rest: the Pulley Pennel Rig.

The beauty of the pulley system is its mechanics. When a fish takes the bait and you begin to reel in, the weight of the fish pulls the rig body through a pulley bead, physically lifting your heavy lead sinker high into the water column and away from the snags below. Combine this with a “pennel” setup—using two hooks in tandem on a single snood to support large baits—and you have the ultimate winter cod weapon.

Here is exactly how to construct it, along with the specific gear you need to build a rig that won’t let you down.

Essential Tackle for the Pulley Pennel

To handle double-figure cod and abrasive terrain, you cannot compromise on your terminal tackle. Here are the top-tier components required, detailed with their exact specifications.

Sakuma 545 Manta Extra Hooks

The ultimate heavy-wire hook for huge winter baits. Standard hooks will bend or snap under the crushing jaw pressure of a big cod, but the Manta Extra is forged for brute strength.

• Specifications:

  • Material: High Carbon Steel, heavy forging.

  • Finish: Anti-corrosive black nickel.

  • Point: Chemically sharpened, beveled point with a micro-barb.

  • Eye: Straight eye, perfect for snelling.

  • Sizes Available: 1/0 up to 6/0.

• Uses: Specifically designed for targeting large species with bulky baits. The straight eye makes it perfect for the top hook of a sliding pennel setup, while the wide gape accommodates thick squid tubes and whole crabs, ensuring the hook point remains exposed for a solid hook-up. For cod, a 3/0 top hook and a 4/0 bottom hook is a classic combination.

Gemini Genie Pulley Swivels

A traditional swivel can jam or damage your rig body line under pressure. The Gemini Pulley Swivel is purpose-built to glide seamlessly.

• Specifications:

  • Material: Stainless steel construction with a friction-free internal Teflon bead.

  • Test Rating: 80lb breaking strain.

  • Quantity: 10 per packet.

  • Key Features: Enclosed bead prevents line damage; smooth rotation prevents rig tangles.

• Uses: The heart of the pulley rig. You thread your heavy rig body line directly through the Teflon bead of this swivel. It allows the lead to slide up and away from kelp and rocks the moment a fish puts tension on the hook length, drastically reducing the number of fish lost to snags.

Breakaway IMP Bait Clips

Casting a massive cod bait without clipping it down is like throwing a wet sock; it catches the wind, tumbles, and destroys your casting distance.

• Specifications:

  • Material: High-impact plastic and stainless steel.

  • Operation: Automatic release upon water impact.

  • Profile: Ultra-miniature and streamlined.

• Uses: Spliced into the lead link at the bottom of your rig, the IMP allows you to hook your bottom pennel hook into the clip before casting. This streamlines the entire rig, securing the bait during the aerodynamic stresses of the cast. As soon as the rig hits the sea, the water pressure forces the IMP open, perfectly deploying your bait every time.

Step-by-Step: Tying the Pulley Pennel

Materials Needed:

• Rig Body Line (e.g., 60lb to 80lb clear mono)

• Snood Line (e.g., 40lb to 50lb fluorocarbon or tough mono)

• 1x Gemini Genie Pulley Swivel

• 1x Standard size 2 rolling swivel (for the snood connection)

• 1x Breakaway IMP Bait Clip

• 2x Sakuma Manta Extra Hooks (e.g., 3/0 and 4/0)

• Beads (for knot protection)

The Build Process:

1. The Rig Body: Cut roughly 5 feet of your 60lb–80lb rig body line.

2. Attach the Pulley: Thread on your Gemini Genie Pulley Swivel, followed by a 5mm shock bead (this protects the knot you are about to tie).

3. The Snood Swivel: Tie your standard size 2 rolling swivel to the bottom end of this rig body line.

4. The Lead Clip: Tie your Breakaway IMP Bait Clip to the top end of the rig body line. The distance between the bait clip and the snood swivel should be roughly 4 feet.

5. The Pennel Snood: Cut 3 feet of your 40lb snood line. Tie one end to the rolling swivel on the rig body.

6. Rigging the Hooks: Thread the line through the eye of your top hook (e.g., the 3/0). Do not tie it yet; wrap the line around the shank 4-5 times and pass it back through the eye so it grips but can still slide tightly. Finally, tie your larger bottom hook (e.g., the 4/0) to the very end of the snood.

7. Sizing it up: Slide the top hook up or down the snood to perfectly match the size of the bait you are using. Hook the bottom hook onto the IMP bait clip, and pull the pulley swivel up so the rig is taut for casting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why use a pennel rig instead of a single large hook?

Winter cod baits like whole squid or heavily wrapped lugworm are long and bulky. If you use a single hook at the bottom of the bait, a cod might bite the top half of the bait and miss the hook entirely. A pennel rig places a second hook at the top of the bait, ensuring that no matter which end the fish attacks, you have a high chance of a solid hook-up. It also keeps long baits straight and beautifully presented during the cast.

How long should my snood be on a pulley rig?

For rough ground winter cod, a snood of 2.5 to 3 feet is ideal. It needs to be slightly shorter than the rig body section above it so that when it is clipped down for casting, it fits perfectly under tension. If it is too long, the snood will bow out and flap during the cast, costing you distance and causing tangles.

Can I use bait elastic with a pennel rig?

Absolutely; in fact, it is mandatory for big cod baits. Once you have threaded your bait onto the two hooks, bind the entire package generously with bait elastic. This prevents the bait from sliding down and masking the hook points during the violent acceleration of the cast, and protects it from being instantly stripped by nuisance fish like crabs and whiting.

Do I need a heavier lead when fishing a pulley rig?

The pulley rig relies on tension to work properly. If your lead is too light, the tide will sweep it around, causing the pulley system to slide and tangle. In strong winter tides, use a grip lead of at least 5oz or 6oz. The heavier lead not only holds bottom better but also creates the necessary resistance to set the hook when a cod takes the bait.

Why do you use such heavy line for the rig body?

When casting heavy 6oz leads plus large baits, the forces are massive. Just like your shock leader, the rig body takes the full brunt of the cast. Anything lighter than 60lb runs a severe risk of snapping mid-cast. Furthermore, 80lb line is highly abrasion-resistant, essential for dragging the rig through sharp rocks and thick kelp.