TECHNICAL HANDBOOK

Rigs, knots and baits

This notebook brings together what you need to know to go from a box of hooks to a line that fishes: the components, seven knots, eleven rigs and ten baits of the Ivorian coast. Each sheet follows the same order: what it is for, which fish, the tackle, the rig step by step, the bait, the adjustment and the pitfall to avoid. The figures come from the species sheets, cited by their number.

BeginnerIndependentIntermediateExpert

The line and its components

A line reads from top to bottom: the main line carries everything, the thinner leader connects the hook. The float supports and signals, the sinker weighs down, the swivel connects without twisting. A hook's number goes up as the hook gets smaller: a No. 12 is small, a 6/0 is large.

Anatomy of a rigged line 1 rod tip and main line. 2 float, which supports the bait and signals the bite. 3 shotting, which weighs down and balances. 4 swivel, which connects and prevents line twist. 5 leader, thinner than the main line: if it breaks, you lose only the leader. 6 hook baited with a shrimp.

The small components 1 straight single hook with an eye. 2 circle hook, point curved back towards the shank: it hooks in the corner of the mouth, useful for release. 3 treble hook, for lures only. 4 drilled olive sinker, which slides on the line. 5 pear sinker with a ring, for fixed rigs. 6 surfcasting grapnel sinker, which anchors in the sand despite the swell. 7 barrel swivel. 8 snap swivel, to change lures without cutting. 9 bead, which protects the knot from the sinker's knocks. 10 spindle float. 11 crimped steel-wire trace, against teeth.

Did you know?

Nylon, fluorocarbon, braid: nylon is forgiving thanks to its stretch, fluorocarbon is less visible in water and resists abrasion, braid has no stretch and transmits the slightest bite. Most rigs in this book combine a fine braid with a fluorocarbon leader.

Seven knots are enough

Learn them at home, in peace and quiet. Universal rule: always wet the knot before tightening, as friction heat damages nylon. Test every knot with a firm pull: a knot that is going to break will break now, not on the fish of the year.

The Palomar knot

Use: Tying on a hook, swivel or lure. The most secure of the attachment knots, in nylon as in braid.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

The Palomar knot 1 double the line and pass the loop through the eye. 2 tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line. 3 pass the whole hook through the loop. 4 wet, pull on both strands, trim short.

double the line and pass the loop through the eye
tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line
pass the whole hook through the loop
wet, pull on both strands, trim short

The improved clinch knot

Use: The quick attachment for nylon up to 0.50 mm. Above that, or with braid, prefer the Palomar.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

The improved clinch knot 1 pass the tag end through the eye. 2 make five turns around the line. 3 pass the end back through the small loop near the eye. 4 then through the large loop thus formed. 5 wet and tighten.

pass the tag end through the eye
make five turns around the line
pass the end back through the small loop near the eye
then through the large loop thus formed
wet and tighten

The perfection loop

Use: An in-line loop for attaching a swivel, sinker or pre-tied leader. It lets you tie ready-to-loop leaders at home.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

The perfection loop 1 form a first loop, the tag end passing behind the line. 2 form a second loop in front of the first. 3 pass the tag end between the two loops, then pull the second loop through the first. 4 wet, tighten: the loop stays in line with the main line.

form a first loop, the tag end passing behind the line
form a second loop in front of the first
pass the tag end between the two loops, then pull the second loop through the first
wet, tighten: the loop stays in line with the main line

The dropper loop

Use: Holding a snood perpendicular to the line without twisting: handline, two-hook surfcasting rig, sabiki-style feather rig.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

The dropper loop 1 form a large loop in the line. 2 twist the loop around itself six times. 3 open up the centre of the turns and pass the loop through this opening, between the two groups of turns. 4 wet, tighten on both sides: the dropper stands out perpendicular.

form a large loop in the line
twist the loop around itself six times
open up the centre of the turns and pass the loop through this opening, between the two groups of turns
wet, tighten on both sides: the dropper stands out perpendicular

The Albright knot

Use: Joining a fine braid to a thick fluorocarbon or nylon leader. Species sheets 11 and 16 also mention the FG and PR knots, which are slimmer and best left to expert anglers.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

The Albright knot 1 form a loop in the thick line. 2 pass the braid through the loop. 3 make ten tight turns around the three strands, working back towards the top of the loop. 4 pass the tag end back through the loop: it comes out on the same side as the main strand; wet, tighten gradually, trim.

form a loop in the thick line
pass the braid through the loop
make ten tight turns around the three strands, working back towards the top of the loop
pass the tag end back through the loop: it comes out on the same side as the main strand; wet, tighten gradually, trim

The surgeon's knot

Use: Joining two nylon lines in thirty seconds, at night, in the rain. The universal quick fix.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

The surgeon's knot 1 lay the two lines side by side, in opposite directions. 2 form a loop with the two lines held together. 3 pass both ends through it together a first time. 4 then a second time through the same loop. 5 wet, pull on all four strands.

lay the two lines side by side, in opposite directions
form a loop with the two lines held together
pass both ends through it together a first time
then a second time through the same loop
wet, pull on all four strands

Spade end hook knot

Use: Tie a spade end hook, with no eye, to a fine leader: pole fishing, small hooks for sardinella, mullets and lagoon fish. Seven to ten tight turns, from the spade towards the bend: the turns clamp the line against the shank and the spade stops them slipping.

See it in 3D, step by step The full sheet

Spade end hook knot 1 lay the line along the shank, on the point side, and form a loop towards the bend. 2 wrap the tag end around the shank and both strands, from the spade towards the bend: seven tight turns. 3 pass the tag end back through the loop. 4 moisten, pull the main line: the loop closes under the coils and the line exits in front of the spade, on the point side.

lay the line along the shank, on the point side, and form a loop towards the bend
wrap the tag end around the shank and both strands, from the spade towards the bend: seven tight turns
pass the tag end back through the loop
moisten, pull the main line: the loop closes under the coils and the line exits in front of the spade, on the point side

Six other knots, each with its own sheet: Snell knot, Uni knot, Double uni knot, Rapala knot, Trilene knot, FG knot.

Rigs, from beginner to expert

BeginnerLagoon, jetties, banks

The lagoon running ledger rig

For : Bagrid catfish 63, Grogneur sompat (Sompat grunt) 42, Cassava croaker 75, Otolithe nanka (Longneck croaker) 76

The bait lies on the bottom; the line slides through the sinker, so the fish takes the bait without feeling any resistance. It is the all-round lagoon rig.

The lagoon running ledger rig 1 olive sinker of 10 to 30 g threaded on the main line: the line slides through it and the fish does not feel the weight. 2 protective bead. 3 swivel that stops the sinker. 4 leader of about 40 cm. 5 baited hook.

Tackle and starting setup

Rod of 3 to 4 m or handline; nylon main line 0.25 to 0.35 mm; olive sinker of 10 to 30 g depending on the current; bead; swivel; 40 cm leader; hook No. 6 to 1/0 depending on the bait (V13, Part III, chapter 1).

The rig step by step

thread the olive sinker and then the bead onto the main line
tie on the swivel (Palomar or clinch)
tie 40 cm of leader to the other ring
tie on the hook
bait up, cast at the foot of a drop-off, tighten gently

Bait: Lagoon shrimp, piece of fish, mud worm, smelly paste for bagrid catfish.

Setting and technique: Sound the depth first: the spot is the foot of the drop-off between mudflat and hole. On the bite, give line for a second, then strike smoothly.

BeginnerLagoon, mangrove edge

The sliding float, and the fine line

For : Blackchin tilapia 62, Flathead grey mullet 68, Mulet curème (Sicklefin mullet) 69

The float slides up the line to the stop knot: you fish in midwater at the chosen depth, even deeper than the length of the rod. In a fixed, very fine version, it is the line for “carpes” (tilapia) and mullets.

The sliding float rig 1 stop knot that sets the depth. 2 bead, which stops the stop knot from entering the float. 3 sliding float with the main line running through it: it slides up to the stop knot. 4 bulk shot under the float. 5 swivel. 6 fine leader. 7 fine hook baited with a pellet of paste.

Tackle and starting setup

Fine line: rod of 3 to 5 m, nylon 0.14 to 0.22 mm, fine balanced float, leader 0.12 to 0.20 mm, hook No. 8 to 14 (species sheets 62, 68, 69). Sliding float: stop knot, bead, tube float, bulk shot, swivel, leader.

The rig step by step

tie the stop knot on the main line at the chosen depth
thread on the bead and then the float
pinch the shot on under the float, the smallest last
tie on the swivel, leader and hook
balance it: only the antenna should show

Bait: Bread paste, semolina, maggot, worm; groundbait lightly to hold the school of mullet.

Setting and technique: Shy bite: strike gently. Use the smallest float possible for the wind and current.

IndependentPirogue, jetty, lagoon holes, coastal bottoms

The handline

For : Bagrid catfish 63, Cassava croaker 75, Otolithe nanka (Longneck croaker) 76, Canary dentex 31, Pagre à points bleus (Bluespotted seabream) 34, Pageot à têche rouge (Red pandora) 35, West African goatfish 37

A handline or rod, weighted to the bottom, armed with two or three snoods on dropper loops above the sinker. The school of Ivorian fishing.

The handline 1 line winder. 2 main line. 3 snoods on dropper loops. 4 hooks. 5 sinker on the bottom.

Tackle and starting setup

Line winder or rod; nylon main line; snoods tied with dropper loops; hooks; sinker at the end.

The rig step by step

tie the sinker to the end of the line
tie two or three spaced dropper loops above it
tie a snood and its hook on each dropper loop
let it down to the bottom, wind up one turn
keep the line between your fingers to feel the bite

Bait: Shrimp, marine worm, chunk of sardinella, strip of squid.

Setting and technique: Drifting over holes, lift often to check the baits.

ExpertEdges of the Trou sans fond

The deep handline

For : White grouper 29, Mérou de Gorée (African hind) 30, Vivaneau à dents de chien (African brown snapper) 38, Vivaneau guinéen (African red snapper) 39, Vivaneau doré (Golden African snapper) 40, Vivaneau de Gorée (Gorean snapper) 41, Canary dentex 31, Denté à bosse (Pink dentex) 32, Denté de l'Angola (Angolan dentex) 33, Pagre à points bleus (Bluespotted seabream) 34

The heavy version of the handline, over the rock heads along the edge of the canyon.

Deep handline on the edge of the canyon — The deep handline along the canyon edge 1 drifting boat. 2 direction of drift, to be watched in relation to the walls. 3 taut vertical line. 4 heavy sinker kept near the bottom. 5 snoods and hooks above the sinker. 6 rock wall. 7 rock heads, where groupers and snappers hold. 8 the void of the canyon.

Tackle and starting setup

Line 0.60 to 0.80 mm or braid; sinkers of 300 to 500 g; pre-tied snoods; hooks 1/0 to 5/0 (V13, deep handline checklist).

The rig step by step

prepare the snoods on land
let it down to the bottom in a controlled drift
wind up one or two turns to lift the sinker off the bottom
strike firmly and pump without letting the fish get back to the rock

Bait: Sardinella, squid.

Setting and technique: The drift over the canyon quickly becomes strong: watch your position in relation to the walls.

IndependentBeaches, surf bar

Two-hook surfcasting

For : Grand capitaine (Giant African threadfin) 70, Petit capitaine (Lesser African threadfin) 71, Cassava croaker 75, Otolithe nanka (Longneck croaker) 76, Grogneur sompat (Sompat grunt) 42, Grogneur de Roger (Pigsnout grunt) 43, Grogneur métis (Bastard grunt) 44

The bait is cast just beyond the first bar; the grapnel sinker holds despite the swell and the snoods present two baits.

The two-dropper surfcasting leader — The two-hook surfcasting leader 1 main line. 2 stop. 3 swivel. 4 leader. 5 snoods and hooks. 6 grapnel sinker.

Tackle and starting setup

Rod of 4 to 4.5 m, 100 to 200 g; 8000 reel; nylon 0.35 mm or braid with a shock leader; grapnel sinker of 100 to 150 g; leader 0.50 to 0.60 mm (V13, Part III, chapter 2). Big threadfin: rod 4.20 to 4.80 m, fluorocarbon leader 60 to 100 lb, hook 3/0 to 6/0 (species sheet 70).

The rig step by step

tie the shock leader (a stronger length at the head of the line) to the main line
tie on the swivel and the leader
tie two dropper loops and their snoods
tie the grapnel sinker at the end
bait up, cast beyond the first bar, set the rod on a rod spike and tighten

Bait: Marine worm, crab, shrimp, sardinella.

Setting and technique: Rising tide at dusk and for two hours after nightfall.

IntermediateBreakwater, lagoon inlets, structures, bottoms

Live bait

For : Guinean barracuda 25, Crevalle jack 16, Grand capitaine (Giant African threadfin) 70, White grouper 29, Mérou de Gorée (African hind) 30, Mafou (Cobia) 28

A small live fish swims at the end of the line: it is the king of baits for big predators.

The live bait rig — The live-bait rig 1 main line. 2 sliding olive sinker. 3 bead. 4 swivel. 5 leader. 6 option 1: hook set shallowly under the skin of the back, behind the dorsal fin, away from the spine. 7 option 2: hook through both lips, from bottom to top, for a live bait that is trolled or drifted.

Tackle and starting setup

Sliding rig: olive sinker, bead, swivel, leader; hook suited to the size of the live bait. Steel as soon as barracudas are about.

The rig step by step

tie the sliding rig as for bottom fishing
hook the live bait under the skin of the back behind the dorsal, or through both lips
cast gently, without tearing the live bait off
let the predator swallow for a few seconds before striking

Bait: Sardinella or bonga shad, caught at dawn with a dip net or fine line.

Setting and technique: Keep live baits in an aerated live well or a bucket with frequently changed water: a sluggish live bait is a dead bait.

ExpertRocks, wrecks, drop-offs

The heavy bottom rig for rock

For : White grouper 29, Mérou de Gorée (African hind) 30, Denté à bosse (Pink dentex) 32, Vivaneau à dents de chien (African brown snapper) 38, Vivaneau guinéen (African red snapper) 39, Rascasse de Kuhl (Offshore rockfish) 55, Diagramme gris (Rubberlip grunt) 45

A short, strong leader and a sinker on a weak link: you pull the fish out of its hole and, if the sinker snags, you lose only the sinker.

The bottom rig for rocks — The bottom rig for rock 1 braided main line, with no stretch. 2 joining knot. 3 three-way swivel. 4 short, thick, abrasion-resistant leader. 5 strong hook baited with a sardinella. 6 weak link: line weaker than the main line, which breaks first if the sinker snags. 7 heavy sinker.

Tackle and starting setup

Powerful 2.10 m rod, 30 to 80 lb; braid PE 4 to PE 10; fluorocarbon leader 80 to 150 lb, short (50 to 80 cm); strong hook 5/0 to 9/0; heavy sinker (species sheets 29, 38, 39).

The rig step by step

tie the three-way swivel to the braid
tie on the short leader and the strong hook
attach the sinker with a line weaker than the main line
let it down, wind up one turn, strike hard

Bait: Whole sardine or sardinella, mullet, whole squid, large live bait.

Setting and technique: Drag set tight from the start: the first few seconds decide everything.

IntermediateSchools of small pelagics

The feather rig

For : Cunene horse mackerel 21

A string of small dressed hooks lowered into the school: several fish per drop.

The feather rig 1 main line. 2 swivel. 3 string of 4 to 6 small hooks dressed with feathers or shiny threads. 4 sinker at the end, 20 to 60 g depending on depth and current.

Tackle and starting setup

Light rod 2.10 to 2.70 m; braid PE 0.8 to PE 1.5 or nylon 0.20 to 0.25 mm; string of 4 to 6 hooks with feathers or shiny threads; sinker of 20 to 60 g at the end (species sheet 21).

The rig step by step

tie the swivel at the top of the string
tie the sinker at the end
lower it into the school
work it with short lifts

Bait: No bait: the feathers are enough. The horse mackerel caught then serve as live bait.

Setting and technique: Wind up slowly when several fish are hooked.

IntermediateLagoon inlets, breakwaters, salty lagoon, coast

Casting with a steel trace

For : Guinean barracuda 25, West African Spanish mackerel 8, Wahoo 9, Mafou (Cobia) 28, Croupia roche (Tripletail) 49

A lure cast and retrieved; a steel trace protects the line from teeth.

The casting rig with a wire trace — The casting rig with a steel trace 1 braid. 2 compact joining knot (FG or Albright). 3 fluorocarbon leader. 4 swivel. 5 steel-wire trace of 30 to 40 cm, crimped loops. 6 snap. 7 lure fitted with reinforced trebles.

Tackle and starting setup

Spinning rod 2.40 m, 20 to 80 g; 4000 to 6000 reel; braid PE 2 to PE 4; fluorocarbon leader 40 to 60 lb; 7 x 7 wire trace of 30 to 50 lb, 30 to 40 cm; lure of 100 to 150 mm with reinforced trebles (species sheet 25).

The rig step by step

join braid and fluorocarbon (Albright, or FG if you have mastered it)
tie on the swivel
attach the crimped steel trace to it
clip on the lure
set the drag before casting

Bait: Crankbait, soft plastic on a jig head, spoon.

Setting and technique: Vary speed and pauses until you find the retrieve of the day.

ExpertCoast, drop-offs, wrecks

Coastal trolling

For : West African Spanish mackerel 8, Wahoo 9, Common dolphinfish 10, Guinean barracuda 25, Crevalle jack 16

Lures swim behind the boat at 4 to 6 knots; in an hour you cover what a caster explores in a day.

The coastal trolling line 1 braided main line. 2 braid-to-fluorocarbon joining knot. 3 fluorocarbon leader of about 1.5 m. 4 snap swivel. 5 short crimped steel-wire trace, as soon as Spanish mackerels and barracudas are about. 6 lipped crankbait fitted with trebles.

Tackle and starting setup

Outfits of 20 to 30 lb; fluorocarbon leader 80 to 100 lb; steel as soon as Spanish mackerels are about; diving crankbaits and spoons (V13, Part III, chapter 4). Spanish mackerel: 1.5 m leader, 30 cm wire trace, minnow 18 to 22 cm (species sheet 8).

The rig step by step

rig each rod: braid, joining knot, fluorocarbon, snap swivel, steel, lure
put the lures in the water one by one, checking their action
stagger the distances to avoid tangles
follow drop-offs, points, wrecks, changes in water colour

Bait: Lures: crankbaits, wobbling spoons, skirts.

Setting and technique: On the strike, the boat keeps going for a few seconds, then everything is cleared away.

Baits of the Ivorian coast

The best Ivorian bait comes from the beach, the lagoon or the market. For each one: where to find it, how to keep it, how to put it on the hook, and the fish whose species sheet mentions it.

Natural baits of Côte d’Ivoire 1 marine worm. 2 small beach or mangrove crab. 3 lagoon shrimp. 4 mangrove oyster. 5 whole sardinella. 6 chunk of sardinella. 7 sardinella fillet. 8 bonga shad. 9 whole squid. 10 squid strips. 11 pellet of paste.

How to bait up 1 shrimp hooked under the last tail segment, point showing. 2 marine worm threaded on accordion-style, point exposed. 3 chunk of sardinella pierced twice. 4 squid strip hooked once at one end: it flutters. 5 crab hooked through the corner of the shell. 6 paste moulded around the hook, point barely covered.

The marine worm

The universal surf bait, threaded accordion-style on a fine-wire hook.

Where to find it: Sandy and muddy foreshores at low tide: spot the sand casts and dig fast.
Choosing and keeping: Fragile: keep it cool, in the shade, in a little seawater or damp seaweed. Never in the sun.
Baiting: see panel 2 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: Two-dropper surfcasting rig, Lagoon running ledger, The handline
Species sheets citing it: 3

Crab

Tough on the cast, it stays on the hook and resists small bait-stealing fish.

Where to find it: Beaches and mangrove, by hand at dusk.
Choosing and keeping: Alive in a bucket of damp sand.
Baiting: see panel 5 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: Two-dropper surfcasting rig, Lagoon running ledger
Species sheets citing it: 5

Lagoon shrimp

Whole and live for good fish, peeled for small ones.

Where to find it: Bought live from fishers or sieved along the edges.
Choosing and keeping: Alive in an aerated bucket, or cool and out of the sun; peeled for finesse fishing.
Baiting: see panel 1 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: Lagoon running ledger, The sliding float and fine line, The handline, Two-dropper surfcasting rig
Species sheets citing it: 17

Mangrove oyster

Soft flesh to be secured well, sometimes with elastic thread; target species to be documented.

Where to find it: Prised from the mangrove roots.
Choosing and keeping: Use fresh, the same day.
Rigs: Lagoon running ledger
Species sheets citing it: 0

Sardinella

Whole as live or dead bait, in chunks for handlining, in fillets for the surf.

Where to find it: Fish market or landing site, by the pile, in the morning.
Choosing and keeping: Clear eyes, firm flesh; the cool box starts at the market. Salted leftovers: layer of coarse salt, airtight box, cool box, two more trips (V13).
Baiting: see panel 3 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: The live bait rig, Heavy bottom rig for rocks, The handline, Two-dropper surfcasting rig
Species sheets citing it: 13

Bonga shad

It replaces sardinella in the lagoon.

Where to find it: Market, landing site, cast net in the lagoon.
Choosing and keeping: Same as sardinella.
Baiting: see panel 3 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: The live bait rig, Lagoon running ledger
Species sheets citing it: 1

Squid

It stays on the hook like no other bait: strips for the bottom, heads for snappers.

Where to find it: Fish market.
Choosing and keeping: Cold; it keeps better than fish.
Baiting: see panel 4 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: Heavy bottom rig for rocks, The handline
Species sheets citing it: 13

Live bait

The king of baits for big predators.

Where to find it: Caught yourself early in the morning, with a landing net or fine line (sabiki rig for horse mackerels).
Choosing and keeping: Aerated live well or a bucket with frequently changed water.
Rigs: The live bait rig
Sheets citing it: 21

Dough and plant baits

For tilapias and mullets; hook point barely covered.

Where to find it: Homemade: breadcrumb, semolina, flour.
Choosing and keeping: In a damp cloth, in the shade.
Baiting: see panel 6 of the “How to bait” diagram
Rigs: The sliding float and fine line
Species sheets citing it: 13

Sand eel

Bait to be confirmed in the field before the next edition.

Where to find it: Cited in several species sheets; local availability to be documented.
Choosing and keeping: To be documented.
Rigs: Two-dropper surfcasting rig
Species sheets citing it: 3

Groundbait and chum

Lagoon groundbaiting remains homemade and effective: shrimp scraps, crushed sardinella heads, wheat bran or oilseed cake from the market, mixed with mud from the spot. At sea, chum holds fish under the boat: ground sardinellas thrown in regular handfuls, never in bulk. The rule is the same everywhere: bait a little, bait often, and stop as soon as the fish are there.

Sound the depth and choose the spot before groundbaiting.
Throw a few balls or handfuls in the same place, not everywhere.
Keep it going with small, regular amounts.
Stop as soon as the bites start.

Which bait for which fish

This table is built from the text of the species sheets: for each bait, it lists the fish whose species sheet mentions it.

Bait	Species whose species sheet cites it
The marine worm	Pageot à têche rouge (Red pandora) 35, West African goatfish 37, Grogneur sompat (Sompat grunt) 42
Crab	Shortfin pompano 22, Longfin pompano 24, Denté à bosse (Pink dentex) 32, Baliste cabri (Grey triggerfish) 46, Daisy stingray 82
Lagoon shrimp	Shortfin pompano 22, Mérou de Gorée (African hind) 30, Canary dentex 31, Pagre à points bleus (Bluespotted seabream) 34, Pageot à têche rouge (Red pandora) 35, Bogue 36, West African goatfish 37, Grogneur sompat (Sompat grunt) 42, Grogneur métis (Bastard grunt) 44, Diagramme gris (Rubberlip grunt) 45, Red scorpionfish 48, Turbot épineux (Spottail spiny turbot) 58, Sole-langue de Monod (Guinean tonguesole) 59, Grand capitaine (Giant African threadfin) 70, Petit capitaine (Lesser African threadfin) 71, Cassava croaker 75, Otolithe nanka (Longneck croaker) 76
Mangrove oyster	to be documented
Sardinella	West African Spanish mackerel 8, Merlu 13, Atlantic sailfish 14, Crevalle jack 16, Guinean barracuda 25, White grouper 29, Mérou de Gorée (African hind) 30, Canary dentex 31, Denté à bosse (Pink dentex) 32, Pagre à points bleus (Bluespotted seabream) 34, Rascasse de Kuhl (Offshore rockfish) 55, Cassava croaker 75, Otolithe nanka (Longneck croaker) 76
Bonga shad	Bonga shad 65
Squid	White grouper 29, Canary dentex 31, Denté à bosse (Pink dentex) 32, Pagre à points bleus (Bluespotted seabream) 34, Pageot à têche rouge (Red pandora) 35, West African goatfish 37, Vivaneau à dents de chien (African brown snapper) 38, Vivaneau guinéen (African red snapper) 39, Diagramme gris (Rubberlip grunt) 45, Baliste cabri (Grey triggerfish) 46, Red scorpionfish 48, Rascasse de Kuhl (Offshore rockfish) 55, Murène-brochet féroce (Guinean pike conger) 78
Live bait	Little tunny 3, Atlantic bonito 6, Wahoo 9, Common dolphinfish 10, Crevalle jack 16, Blue runner 17, Senegal jack 18, Guinean barracuda 25, Guachanche barracuda 26, Mafou (Cobia) 28, White grouper 29, Vivaneau à dents de chien (African brown snapper) 38, Vivaneau guinéen (African red snapper) 39, Vivaneau de Gorée (Gorean snapper) 41, Croupia roche (Tripletail) 49, Aba aba, African knifefish 91, Nile perch 92, Tigerfish 93, Banded jewelfish 96, Bayad 100, African snakehead 103
Dough and plant baits	Blackchin tilapia 62, Bagrid catfish 63, Flathead grey mullet 68, Mulet curème (Sicklefin mullet) 69, African bonytongue 88, Nile tilapia 94, Redbelly tilapia 95, African sharptooth catfish 97, Upside-down catfish (group) 99, Giraffe catfish 101, African carp (group Labeo) 104, Grass eater (group Distichodus) 105, Large-scale silverside (group Brycinus) 106
Sand eel	Turbot épineux (Spottail spiny turbot) 58, Cassava croaker 75, Otolithe nanka (Longneck croaker) 76

Troubleshooting at the water's edge

What happens	What to do
The rig tangles on the cast	Droppers too long or too close together: shorten them, space the dropper loops further apart, cast with a wide, smooth motion.
The bait disappears without a bite	Small bait-stealing fish: switch to crab, squid or a tougher bait, or use a smaller hook to identify them.
The sinker rolls and comes back to shore	Sinker too light or unsuitable: switch to a grapnel sinker in the surf, go heavier in the current.
The leader is cut clean	Toothy fish: add a wire trace (barracudas, Spanish mackerels).
The fish comes off during the fight	Blunt hook or drag too tight: sharpen or change the hook, set the drag to a third of the line’s breaking strength.
The knot breaks	Knot tightened dry or damaged: always wet before tightening, test by hand before fishing, retie it after every big catch.