Rig Accessories

Rig Accessories — Swivels, Crimps, Beads, Weights & Trace Components

Sharnbrook Tackle has been supplying anglers since the 1970s, when founder David Watts — then serving in the military — began sharing his love of fishing with fellow service personnel during their downtime. What started as a way to pass on a passion has grown into a trusted tackle business, but one thing hasn't changed: an obsession with the details that actually catch fish.

And when it comes to rigs, the details are everything. You can have the finest rod, a beautifully balanced reel, and the freshest bait in the bag — but if your rig falls apart at the crucial moment, none of it counts for anything. Rig accessories are the unsung heroes of every session. They rarely get the glory, yet they quietly hold your whole setup together, turn line and hooks into a working presentation, and stand between you and a lost fish.

We don't stock these components simply to fill a shelf. Every swivel, bead, and crimp in our range has earned its place because it does its job reliably — under load, in the tide, and when a good fish is testing every knot and join you've tied.

A component for every part of your rig

Swivels

The humble swivel does one of the most important jobs on any rig: it stops line twist and keeps your terminal tackle turning freely. Without one, a spinning bait or a rolling lead soon has your mainline in a hopeless tangle! Our swivel range covers the styles that matter most — from standard barrel swivels for general rig building through to stronger rolling swivels for sea fishing, where powerful fish and heavy leads demand a component that won't let go. Match the swivel size and breaking strain to your line and quarry, and you've got a smooth, dependable connection point at the heart of your rig.

Crimps

For heavy monofilament and wire traces, a crimp is often the neatest, strongest way to form a secure loop or join. Knots can weaken thick line and slip on wire, whereas a properly squeezed crimp locks everything solidly in place. Our crimps come in a range of sizes to suit different line diameters, so you can build predator traces, big-game rigs, and heavy sea setups with total confidence. The trick? Match the crimp bore to your line, and squeeze it firmly with proper crimping pliers — get that right, and it'll hold like a vice.

Beads

Small, cheap, and easy to overlook — but beads punch well above their weight. They protect your knots from the hammering of a sliding lead, add a splash of attraction ahead of a hookbait, and help your rig components sit and run exactly where you want them. We stock beads in a variety of sizes and finishes, including bright and luminous options that add a genuine feeding trigger in coloured water or low light. A packet of these in the tackle box costs very little and solves a surprising number of rig problems.

Weights and leads

Getting your bait down to the fish — and holding it there — comes down to choosing the right weight. Our range covers the leads and weights you need for different conditions, from lighter patterns for gentle flow through to heavier grip leads that hold firm against a running tide. Whether you're beach casting into a swell, holding bottom on a boat mark, or presenting a bait in a river's current, matching your weight to the conditions is one of the simplest ways to fish more effectively.

Traces and rig bodies

Sometimes the finished article is exactly what you want. Our ready-made traces take the guesswork out of terminal tackle, arriving correctly built with the right hooks, swivels, and components for the job. Purpose-made for particular species and methods, they let you spend more time fishing and less time fiddling at the bank or on a rocking boat! For those who love to tie their own, we also stock the individual components to build a trace to your exact specification.

Snap links and clips

Fancy changing your lead or lure without re-tying every time? A good snap link makes it quick and painless. These clever little clips let you swap components in seconds, so you can adapt to changing conditions without cutting and re-rigging. Our range includes strong, reliable links suited to everything from light lure work to heavy sea fishing — a small addition that saves a surprising amount of time over a session.

Getting the most from your rig accessories

Rig components are simple to use, but a little care in how you put them together makes a real difference. Here are a few practical pointers that hold up across most fishing situations:

• Match the strength to your setup. There's no point pairing a heavy-duty rig with a weak swivel — the whole thing is only as strong as its weakest link. Choose components rated to match your line and target species.
• Crimp properly. Use the correct crimp size for your line, squeeze it firmly with proper pliers, and give it a good tug to test before you fish. A rushed crimp is a lost fish waiting to happen!
• Use beads to protect your knots. A bead between a sliding lead and your knot cushions the impact of repeated casting, keeping that vital join in good order for longer.
• Don't overload the rig. It's tempting to add every bead, swivel, and clip you own, but a cluttered rig tangles more easily and looks unnatural. Keep it clean and purposeful.
• Check components regularly. Swivels can seize, crimps can corrode, and clips can weaken over time. A quick check before each session catches problems before a fish finds them for you.
• Keep a well-stocked box. Running out of a size mid-session is deeply frustrating. A small selection of swivels, beads, and crimps in a range of sizes means you're ready for whatever the day throws at you.

Who is this tackle for?

The honest answer? Every angler who ties a rig! But more specifically:

• Sea anglers — building beach, boat, and rough-ground rigs that need to stand up to heavy leads, powerful fish, and unforgiving conditions.
• Coarse and specimen anglers — presenting baits neatly with the right swivels, beads, and links to keep everything running smoothly.
• Predator anglers — crimping wire traces and rigging dead baits where strength and reliability are non-negotiable.
• Beginners — getting properly set up from the start, rather than losing fish to cheap components that fail at the worst moment.
• Experienced hands — who already know that quality terminal tackle is never the place to cut corners.

Whatever your discipline, the right rig accessories give you confidence — and confidence, as any angler will tell you, catches fish.

Trusted components, honest advice

We stock rig accessories we have genuine confidence in — components chosen because they perform consistently in real UK fishing conditions, not because they carry the biggest marketing budget. A swivel that seizes, a crimp that slips, or a clip that opens under pressure will cost you fish, and we simply won't stock kit we wouldn't fish with ourselves.

If you're unsure which components suit your target species, your local marks, or the method you're fishing, get in touch. We've been helping anglers build better rigs for over 50 years, and there's little we enjoy more than talking tackle. No jargon, no upselling — just straightforward advice from people who fish.

Frequently asked questions

What are rig accessories and why do I need them?

Rig accessories are the small components — swivels, crimps, beads, weights, snap links, and traces — that connect your line, hooks, and bait into a working rig. They might seem minor, but they do essential jobs: preventing line twist, forming secure joins, protecting knots, adding attraction, and letting you change tackle quickly. Without them, even the best rod and reel struggle to present a bait properly. Get your components right, and everything else has a chance to fall into place.

What size swivel should I use?

As a general rule, match the swivel's breaking strain to your line and the fish you're targeting. For light coarse or lure fishing, a smaller, discreet swivel keeps things neat without spooking wary fish. For sea fishing with heavy leads and powerful species, you'll want a stronger rolling swivel that can handle the load. The key is balance — there's no point in a swivel that's weaker than the rest of your rig. If you're unsure, we're always happy to advise.

How do I use crimps properly?

Crimps are ideal for heavy monofilament and wire, where knots can slip or weaken the line. Thread your line through the crimp, form your loop, pass the line back through, then squeeze the crimp firmly with a proper pair of crimping pliers — not standard household ones, which can damage the crimp. Always test the join with a firm pull before you fish. Done correctly, a crimp forms one of the strongest connections you can make.

What do beads actually do on a rig?

Beads are surprisingly versatile little things! Their most common job is protecting your knots from the repeated impact of a sliding lead, which extends the life of that vital join. They also help position other components exactly where you want them along the rig. On top of that, bright or luminous beads add a splash of visual attraction ahead of your hookbait — a genuine feeding trigger in coloured water or low light. Cheap to buy and endlessly useful.

Can I buy individual components to build my own rigs?

Absolutely! Alongside our ready-made traces, we stock the individual swivels, beads, crimps, weights, and links you need to build rigs to your own specification. Many experienced anglers prefer to tie their own, tailoring each rig to the species, method, and conditions they're fishing. Whether you want the convenience of a finished trace or the satisfaction of building your own, we've got you covered.

How do I stop my line twisting?

Line twist is usually caused by a spinning bait, lure, or lead with nothing to absorb the rotation — and it can turn a good session into a tangled nightmare! The simplest fix is a quality swivel, which allows your terminal tackle to turn freely without transferring the twist up your mainline. For lures and spinners especially, a good rolling swivel makes a real difference. If twist is persistent, check that your swivel is turning smoothly and hasn't seized up.

Ready to sort the finer details?

Whether you're building beach rigs for a winter cod session, crimping wire traces for pike, or simply topping up your box with the swivels and beads that always seem to run low, our Rig Accessories range has what you need. Simple to use, proven in UK waters, and backed by advice from anglers who've been at this since the 1970s.

Browse the full collection below, or get in touch if you'd like a recommendation based on your target species, method, and local marks. Get the small things right, and the big fish tend to follow!