My own preference is to be in direct contact with the hook, therefore the running trace gives me more control and a better hook-up rate.

The pulley rig is better for the purpose it was designed for, foul ground. Around Hawke's Bay most beaches are relatively snag free so all the gear used to tie the pulley is not really necessary (IMHO).

However, the pulley will have its devotees and nobody can say their own rig is better. I have said before if you have confidence in a rig, you will catch fish. Over the winter months ... or I should say when I return to the Bay in September, as our fish are generally of the smaller variety, I will be experimenting with the flapper rig.

With smaller fish such as red cod and like sized fish, this rig could be productive as there will be two baits fishing (sometimes three) rather than one. If you follow the European angling scene, where match fishing for money is very popular, the flapper rig wins hands down, scratching competitions are very popular. On the other hand if fishing for the largest fish then the pulley pennel is also very popular.

Someone mentioned this to me only a few days ago, with rigs employ the 'KISS' principal: Keep It Simple Stupid. I am a great believer.