The Ronnie Rig has always divided opinion, but I came across this version from Gardner Tackle and it got me thinking.
Dan Foakes uses a much more aggressive shrink tube angle than many anglers would normally fish, with the aim of keeping the hook sitting really low and helping it take hold quickly. He also avoids using putty, instead trimming the pop-up until the presentation is perfectly balanced.
You can see the rig here:
My Spin on the Ronnie Rig - Gardner Tackle
My question is…
Do you think this is too aggressive?
There’s no denying that Ronnie/Spinner rigs are incredibly effective, but where do you draw the line between an efficient hooking arrangement and one that’s perhaps a little too aggressive?
Personally, I can see why anglers like a more pronounced angle as it should help the hook flip and take hold quickly, but I also wonder whether there’s a point where you’re sacrificing fish welfare or increasing the chance of awkward hook holds.
I’d be interested to hear from those who’ve actually fished a setup like this:
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Have you noticed better hook holds?
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More hook pulls or fewer?
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Do you fish a much softer angle instead?
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Would you use this on all waters, or only in certain situations?
Let’s keep it constructive—I’m genuinely interested to hear what everyone’s experiences are with more aggressive Ronnie setups.