Hi all.
I have been doing well this season using helicopter rigs on a weedy water, getting a much better presentation on the weed and scruffy areas then I was with lead clips, and my catch rate has gone up, however I do wind in and find on occasions a kink in the hook link which must be a tangle I think.
I tie my hooklinks (stiff coated braid) with a loop and cover the quick link, but just wondered if others have found the same and if you've got any methods that help avoid it?
Im generally fishing balanced baits but will switch to pop ups if needed.
Any little tips appreciated no matter how small - have you tried anti tangle sleeves and they work? Etc!
I am not switching back to lead clips on this water but I do use them on other waters and they work well and don't find they tangle as much, but helis doing the job on here
Using leadcore as leader, if that helps
Cheers all ! Rick
I have been doing well this season using helicopter rigs on a weedy water, getting a much better presentation on the weed and scruffy areas then I was with lead clips, and my catch rate has gone up, however I do wind in and find on occasions a kink in the hook link which must be a tangle I think.
I tie my hooklinks (stiff coated braid) with a loop and cover the quick link, but just wondered if others have found the same and if you've got any methods that help avoid it?
Im generally fishing balanced baits but will switch to pop ups if needed.
Any little tips appreciated no matter how small - have you tried anti tangle sleeves and they work? Etc!
I am not switching back to lead clips on this water but I do use them on other waters and they work well and don't find they tangle as much, but helis doing the job on here
Using leadcore as leader, if that helps
Cheers all ! Rick
In reply to Post #1
Feather the rig down before it hits the water
Feather the rig down before it hits the water
In reply to Post #1
If you're clipping up, make sure you hit the clip just right. A tiny bit too early or late can lead to those tell tale kinks that tell you there's been a tangle.
I personally don't think heli's are as tangle proof as some guys think. Yes they're sound if you hit the clip just right but like any rig, get it even slightly wrong and there's risk of tangles.
If you're clipping up, make sure you hit the clip just right. A tiny bit too early or late can lead to those tell tale kinks that tell you there's been a tangle.
I personally don't think heli's are as tangle proof as some guys think. Yes they're sound if you hit the clip just right but like any rig, get it even slightly wrong and there's risk of tangles.
Thank you both! I think it might be a timing issue on hitting the clip as well.
Last time fishing into heavy winds which has an effect, especially with heavy mono.
Definitely agree with you Yonny, helis definitely tangle more/are less forgiving than a lead clip.
Interestingly having thought this through a lot and thought about the spots i am catching from, i think that they are firm enough for a lead clip - i think the amount of weed fried my brain a bit to begin with, but I am going to try a lead clip on these spots in future as well as be really concious of how I hit the clip.
thanks for the sound advice chaps, appreciated
Last time fishing into heavy winds which has an effect, especially with heavy mono.
Definitely agree with you Yonny, helis definitely tangle more/are less forgiving than a lead clip.
Interestingly having thought this through a lot and thought about the spots i am catching from, i think that they are firm enough for a lead clip - i think the amount of weed fried my brain a bit to begin with, but I am going to try a lead clip on these spots in future as well as be really concious of how I hit the clip.
thanks for the sound advice chaps, appreciated
Do either of you, or anyone else, use a anti tangle sleeve on a heli rig or do you use a loop connection? Do you think the anti tangle sleeve makes a difference, or more likely down to hitting the clip just right?
In reply to Post #5
Yeah I use a sleeve mate but hitting the clip perfectly makes more of a difference imo.
Yeah I use a sleeve mate but hitting the clip perfectly makes more of a difference imo.
In reply to Post #6
Cheers Yonny
Cheers Yonny
In reply to Post #1
I've been using the heli since it was popularised way back when, on tube, naked, leadcore, cast, bait boats dropped from boats etc all variants. I mostly use a softish but thick braided hook lenghts, one thing I do a little different from the norm is to not use a ring swivel on the line but to use a QC big eyed swivel with a longish sleeve, this causes the hook length to “hang” at a right angle and as almost negates tangles.
I also if I can get away with( silt/weed allowing), fish with a semi fixed bottom bead and just a little amount of movement between the top and bottom beads this on a cast “forces” the bait to helicopter around the main long and as expected reduces tangles.
As previously mentioned when clipped up you can also feather the cast especially on longer cast.
I've been using the heli since it was popularised way back when, on tube, naked, leadcore, cast, bait boats dropped from boats etc all variants. I mostly use a softish but thick braided hook lenghts, one thing I do a little different from the norm is to not use a ring swivel on the line but to use a QC big eyed swivel with a longish sleeve, this causes the hook length to “hang” at a right angle and as almost negates tangles.
I also if I can get away with( silt/weed allowing), fish with a semi fixed bottom bead and just a little amount of movement between the top and bottom beads this on a cast “forces” the bait to helicopter around the main long and as expected reduces tangles.
As previously mentioned when clipped up you can also feather the cast especially on longer cast.
In reply to Post #8
Thank you mate, appreciated
Thank you mate, appreciated
In reply to Post #6
What does "hitting the clip perfectly" mean? I think I know but would be interested in what others define this as.
What does "hitting the clip perfectly" mean? I think I know but would be interested in what others define this as.
In reply to Post #5
Yes I do . I personally think it makes a big difference . Size 11 quick change ring swivel and a large anti tangle sleeve . I find it only tangles on the worst casts . I do use quite stiff material for hooklink though
Yes I do . I personally think it makes a big difference . Size 11 quick change ring swivel and a large anti tangle sleeve . I find it only tangles on the worst casts . I do use quite stiff material for hooklink though
In reply to Post #10
To me
When it just about hit the clip and doesn't come back 20 yards or cracks off
It just feels and sounds right
To me
When it just about hit the clip and doesn't come back 20 yards or cracks off
It just feels and sounds right
In reply to Post #11
Thanks mate - what hooklink are you using, if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks mate - what hooklink are you using, if you don't mind me asking?
In reply to Post #10
Not too early giving time for bounce-back, and not too late so the rig doesn't have time to flick fully away from the lead/leader. You need it just right so the clip is hit, the rig/hookbait flicks away from the lead, the tip goes down on a tight line.... perfect. You just know when it's right imo.
Not too early giving time for bounce-back, and not too late so the rig doesn't have time to flick fully away from the lead/leader. You need it just right so the clip is hit, the rig/hookbait flicks away from the lead, the tip goes down on a tight line.... perfect. You just know when it's right imo.
@framey and yonny - yes, that's how I interpret it too; you know when it's not right.
In reply to Post #13
I use a semi stiff coated braid but albright knot a stripped section to the chod section instead of using a swivel etc. As stated, hitting the clip correctly is critical so recast if at all unsure. You can actually watch a heli rig in the air if not fishing at extreme range. Check your top bead set up as these can come free and the rig flies high up the mainline when fishing naked and can create tangles. Other than that i find the rig tangle free in the main. Just like anything, attention to detail in the cast.
I use a semi stiff coated braid but albright knot a stripped section to the chod section instead of using a swivel etc. As stated, hitting the clip correctly is critical so recast if at all unsure. You can actually watch a heli rig in the air if not fishing at extreme range. Check your top bead set up as these can come free and the rig flies high up the mainline when fishing naked and can create tangles. Other than that i find the rig tangle free in the main. Just like anything, attention to detail in the cast.
In reply to Post #16
Cheers mate!
Cheers mate!
In reply to Post #1
I'm with Yonny, helicopter rigs can still tangle.
I won't use quicklinks, preferring to go back to tying my hooklink onto the swivel, which I think actually helps reduce tangles as it is slightly more rigid than a loop to quicklink.
If I'm using the rod as a rover, casting to showing fish rather than at a particular distance or even casting as far as I can, I won't be using a line clip.
I'm with Yonny, helicopter rigs can still tangle.
I won't use quicklinks, preferring to go back to tying my hooklink onto the swivel, which I think actually helps reduce tangles as it is slightly more rigid than a loop to quicklink.
If I'm using the rod as a rover, casting to showing fish rather than at a particular distance or even casting as far as I can, I won't be using a line clip.
In reply to Post #17
Another tip, if your good with judging range. Feather the line gently before it hits the water (my rod is to the side when I do this) and while it's going down pull back a little bit SLOWLY before it hits the bottom
Not sure what hook link material you are using either but I would avoid short soft braid ones
Another tip, if your good with judging range. Feather the line gently before it hits the water (my rod is to the side when I do this) and while it's going down pull back a little bit SLOWLY before it hits the bottom
Not sure what hook link material you are using either but I would avoid short soft braid ones
In reply to Post #19
Thanks mate, appreciate the tips! I will give that a try. I think it is in all honesty where I was so used to leadclips being a bit more forgiving, I need some more finesse in my casting.
Not using soft braid, using either stiff coated braid or fluoro.
It isn't a constant issue, I have been doing this through spring last year until now, it is more every now and again the tell tale kink in the hooklink, probably 1 in 15 casts. I have caught more fish through this time then previous seasons on lake so it is working, I just want to remove this kinked hooklink issue.
I am going to add a sleeve instead of a loop, and I am going to really concentrate on my casting style.
Thanks for all the tips gents!
Thanks mate, appreciate the tips! I will give that a try. I think it is in all honesty where I was so used to leadclips being a bit more forgiving, I need some more finesse in my casting.
Not using soft braid, using either stiff coated braid or fluoro.
It isn't a constant issue, I have been doing this through spring last year until now, it is more every now and again the tell tale kink in the hooklink, probably 1 in 15 casts. I have caught more fish through this time then previous seasons on lake so it is working, I just want to remove this kinked hooklink issue.
I am going to add a sleeve instead of a loop, and I am going to really concentrate on my casting style.
Thanks for all the tips gents!
In reply to Post #13
Gardener trick link 25lb . It's just a mono that I steam straight . I'm pretty sure it would work with any stiff or semi stiff rig material
Gardener trick link 25lb . It's just a mono that I steam straight . I'm pretty sure it would work with any stiff or semi stiff rig material
In reply to Post #21
Thanks - I have gone with a fluoro hooklink and longer sleeve to try, I think this combined with the casting 'focus' will solve it
Thanks - I have gone with a fluoro hooklink and longer sleeve to try, I think this combined with the casting 'focus' will solve it
I've been trying to get on board with helis as like the fact I can change to a chod easily if need be which suits a lot of my situations. I've been getting plenty of tangles and was thinking of moving over to a stiffer hook link material to see if that helps
In reply to Post #23
Look at Gemini Tackle, they will have all you need.
Look at Gemini Tackle, they will have all you need.
In reply to Post #23
I have been using stiff hooklinks, like fox illusion 0.50mm or Gardner, and an anti tangle sleeve, as suggested in the thread, and it is working really well. I caught a couple of really special fish doing this over the weekend, so thanks all for the advice
I have been using stiff hooklinks, like fox illusion 0.50mm or Gardner, and an anti tangle sleeve, as suggested in the thread, and it is working really well. I caught a couple of really special fish doing this over the weekend, so thanks all for the advice
In reply to Post #25
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