I've been fishing a different water for about 6 weeks and reckon I've wound in 5 or maybe 6 times with the AAA shot pinning the pop up down missing. This is probably more times than it's happened to me in the last 2 or 3 years.
There aren't any crays in the lake and it's mostly a shallow silty old sand pit. All I thought was it could be plugging in the silt, but normally the lead isn't so can't believe the shot could be.
Any ideas what could be pulling them off and any thoughts on stopping it from happening?
There aren't any crays in the lake and it's mostly a shallow silty old sand pit. All I thought was it could be plugging in the silt, but normally the lead isn't so can't believe the shot could be.
Any ideas what could be pulling them off and any thoughts on stopping it from happening?
Use a balance weight that is actually on the line - that way it can't fall off.
For example I've just started using TA round tungsten rubber weights and they are really good for certain rigs. Tungsten beads (from fly fishing) would work too.
If you really want to use shot, put some putty round the shot.
For example I've just started using TA round tungsten rubber weights and they are really good for certain rigs. Tungsten beads (from fly fishing) would work too.
If you really want to use shot, put some putty round the shot.
In reply to Post #1
Squeeze the shot really hard onto a spare tag end of heavy mono, then open it it and then use on your rig. This will mean you can close it over tighter without worrying about it damaging the hooklength.
Or you can also use the shot on the tag end.
Or you can use a tungsten bead on the line.
Squeeze the shot really hard onto a spare tag end of heavy mono, then open it it and then use on your rig. This will mean you can close it over tighter without worrying about it damaging the hooklength.
Or you can also use the shot on the tag end.
Or you can use a tungsten bead on the line.
If using pop-ups, i have used Nash Tungsten swivel beads for a few years now. Reusable unlike shots.
Thanks for the suggestions, my rigs are incredibly basic and when I've tried tungsten beads before it strips back the coating, so would rather not use them if possible.
So it's unlikely this is fish/mussels/something else pulling them off somehow?
So it's unlikely this is fish/mussels/something else pulling them off somehow?
In reply to Post #5
Unless your splitting the shot by over opening cant see how its coming off?
Try squeezing on with pliers,
Use those Fox/Solar weights that you secure on with elastic.
I like and do use that 'tickler' rig-shot on tag end. Its very effective.
Unless your splitting the shot by over opening cant see how its coming off?
Try squeezing on with pliers,
Use those Fox/Solar weights that you secure on with elastic.
I like and do use that 'tickler' rig-shot on tag end. Its very effective.
Are you using the none lead shot, if so I've found it needs more pressure to close properly than lead shot.
I still use the Old Solar depth charge and pole eleastic to secure (running through the middle) as they don't damage the line and can be adjusted. I found out they're just sellock pins (aka as roll or spring pins) so when I run out I'll be giving those a try.
Much easier would be to try the Fox pop up weights, I even thought about them myself...but at £20+ for a pot...hmmm
I still use the Old Solar depth charge and pole eleastic to secure (running through the middle) as they don't damage the line and can be adjusted. I found out they're just sellock pins (aka as roll or spring pins) so when I run out I'll be giving those a try.
Much easier would be to try the Fox pop up weights, I even thought about them myself...but at £20+ for a pot...hmmm
In reply to Post #7
Not sure, they're either in the little red or blue pots, I'd assumed they were all lead free these days. They normally get squashed on using my teeth which has always been OK.
I'll have a look at your other suggestions, but yeah £20 for a pot, I'd expect them to put the fish on the hook for me 😂😂
EDIT: those Fox things look pretty good. A bit spenny vs split shot at £7 a pot, but worth a go and if they don't fall off that's a bonus thanks 👍
Not sure, they're either in the little red or blue pots, I'd assumed they were all lead free these days. They normally get squashed on using my teeth which has always been OK.
I'll have a look at your other suggestions, but yeah £20 for a pot, I'd expect them to put the fish on the hook for me 😂😂
EDIT: those Fox things look pretty good. A bit spenny vs split shot at £7 a pot, but worth a go and if they don't fall off that's a bonus thanks 👍
In reply to Post #9
Ahhh, it is a dirty old rig for sure, but everywhere it gets wet, fish hook themselves on it. It's why it hasn't changed for well over 10 years.
Except for the size of the shot that is, a BB used to pin down a pop-up, now these new super buoyant pop-ups mean more is needed to pin them down. The exception to that (that I've used) are your small ones, DNA's and Stoglemans.
I have tried the lead core and putty trick, but my eyes aren't very good any more and my fingers are too fat so I've never been happy with the end result hence sticking with split shot.
Ahhh, it is a dirty old rig for sure, but everywhere it gets wet, fish hook themselves on it. It's why it hasn't changed for well over 10 years.
Except for the size of the shot that is, a BB used to pin down a pop-up, now these new super buoyant pop-ups mean more is needed to pin them down. The exception to that (that I've used) are your small ones, DNA's and Stoglemans.
I have tried the lead core and putty trick, but my eyes aren't very good any more and my fingers are too fat so I've never been happy with the end result hence sticking with split shot.
In reply to Post #10
Another alternative-
An Olivette -slimmer and some can be pegged/locked in various ways
I do also have some v large Styl type weights that are neat.
Another alternative-
An Olivette -slimmer and some can be pegged/locked in various ways
I do also have some v large Styl type weights that are neat.
In reply to Post #10
In reply to Post #10
Except for the size of the shot that is, a BB used to pin down a pop-up, now these new super buoyant pop-ups mean more is needed to pin them down. The exception to that (that I've used) are your small ones, DNA's and Stoglemans.
Another option, old fashioned way, you could always add a bit of fuse wire (or lead core if it'll go in) pushed into the bottom of the bait, that way you could reduce the size of the shot. I'd forgotten about olivettes!
Except for the size of the shot that is, a BB used to pin down a pop-up, now these new super buoyant pop-ups mean more is needed to pin them down. The exception to that (that I've used) are your small ones, DNA's and Stoglemans.
Another option, old fashioned way, you could always add a bit of fuse wire (or lead core if it'll go in) pushed into the bottom of the bait, that way you could reduce the size of the shot. I'd forgotten about olivettes!
In reply to Post #13
Thank you, yeaah I did try sticking it in the bait with the old really small pole float shots and lead core but it either bent, didn't go in or did go in but was sitting wobbly. But Ifound some less bouyant popups - like original pop up bouancy, so thankfully didn't have to carry on with that
I've ordered some of those Fox kwik split shot things - only £ 349 at AD so figured worth a go
Thank you, yeaah I did try sticking it in the bait with the old really small pole float shots and lead core but it either bent, didn't go in or did go in but was sitting wobbly. But Ifound some less bouyant popups - like original pop up bouancy, so thankfully didn't have to carry on with that
I've ordered some of those Fox kwik split shot things - only £ 349 at AD so figured worth a go
In reply to Post #14
You could try this - LINKY POO™ https://gardnertackle.co.uk/product/covert-tungsten-chod-beads/ High bore version.
You could try this - LINKY POO™ https://gardnertackle.co.uk/product/covert-tungsten-chod-beads/ High bore version.