There is never going to be agreement on this. All rigs can be dangerous in different conditions. All I would say is that in a perfect world a properly constructed heli rig is the only one that can consistently leave a fish with the hook length only(provided you don't drop the lead). It's the only set up I use a leader with. By a leader I mean short (3ft) lead core or fused. I feel happy with this.
In reply to Post #61
It's about percentages for me
I don't agree on dropping leads, unknown environmental impact but if there is one thing that will snag a fish this is number 1, towing 3oz about, especially on a helicopter if the hook length is locked up against the top bead and the lead is a few feet away dragging through snags or weed etc., not going to shake that out is it?
Number 2, towing a hook length, clip or bead and swivel if a run rig is used and a leader if used and a length of line with the lead dropped, key point, no lead, the heavy bit...
Number 3. A helicopter in theory is perfect if it all pulls off nicely and the fish is left with a hooklink only. The reality is when the line parts above a leadcore leader people just assume the swivel will come off, the reality is, it does not as the one i found with a bead on the piece of silicone that did not pull off
So which risk do you want to take, that's the question. If you are a lover of big old carp then you have to live with the decision that if your line parts you can sleep comfortable on a night knowing that the fish will swim another day. It's as simple as that. Over to you
It's about percentages for me
I don't agree on dropping leads, unknown environmental impact but if there is one thing that will snag a fish this is number 1, towing 3oz about, especially on a helicopter if the hook length is locked up against the top bead and the lead is a few feet away dragging through snags or weed etc., not going to shake that out is it?
Number 2, towing a hook length, clip or bead and swivel if a run rig is used and a leader if used and a length of line with the lead dropped, key point, no lead, the heavy bit...
Number 3. A helicopter in theory is perfect if it all pulls off nicely and the fish is left with a hooklink only. The reality is when the line parts above a leadcore leader people just assume the swivel will come off, the reality is, it does not as the one i found with a bead on the piece of silicone that did not pull off
So which risk do you want to take, that's the question. If you are a lover of big old carp then you have to live with the decision that if your line parts you can sleep comfortable on a night knowing that the fish will swim another day. It's as simple as that. Over to you
In reply to Post #62
All about percentages for me too. I also agree about the possible environmental impacts of dropping the lead so I don't. If your rig is not deliberately set up to eject the lead and even if it is the only rig that can possibly leave a fish with just the hook link is a fixed lead helicopter. The danger as always is incorrect use of components. I use Korda no trace beads and have complete faith in them. They release easily and consistently. A fixed lead is what makes them work. I have never landed a trailer with a failed heli set up, they have always been barbed hooks on lead clips with tangled twisted line the fish can't pull away from. I sleep easily at night. A barbless hook on an 8 ins hook length will be gone within minutes.
All about percentages for me too. I also agree about the possible environmental impacts of dropping the lead so I don't. If your rig is not deliberately set up to eject the lead and even if it is the only rig that can possibly leave a fish with just the hook link is a fixed lead helicopter. The danger as always is incorrect use of components. I use Korda no trace beads and have complete faith in them. They release easily and consistently. A fixed lead is what makes them work. I have never landed a trailer with a failed heli set up, they have always been barbed hooks on lead clips with tangled twisted line the fish can't pull away from. I sleep easily at night. A barbless hook on an 8 ins hook length will be gone within minutes.
In reply to Post #61
Those fused leaders are awful, the loop is far too thick as is the material itself.
A short leader with lead attached and Korda drop off beads is really the best option if you must use something, then you only have minimal abrasion resistance though and people will make them longer and longer as they feel their own success is of more importance than fish welfare.. it's a slippery slope
Then you have people distance casting with light mainline, 4 or 5 turns of heavy braid on the spool, a second leader and a lead clip or heli set up... make your own mind up about that
Those fused leaders are awful, the loop is far too thick as is the material itself.
A short leader with lead attached and Korda drop off beads is really the best option if you must use something, then you only have minimal abrasion resistance though and people will make them longer and longer as they feel their own success is of more importance than fish welfare.. it's a slippery slope
Then you have people distance casting with light mainline, 4 or 5 turns of heavy braid on the spool, a second leader and a lead clip or heli set up... make your own mind up about that
In reply to Post #64
It is a fact that all angling poses some level of danger to fish. All we can do is minimise the risk by good practice, good gear used the right way. Fish care is a state of mind. It should tell you where, when, how to fish and when not to fish in a particular way. Catching should come a long way second. When you've landed a fish, it's care is your priority, not the next fish.
It is a fact that all angling poses some level of danger to fish. All we can do is minimise the risk by good practice, good gear used the right way. Fish care is a state of mind. It should tell you where, when, how to fish and when not to fish in a particular way. Catching should come a long way second. When you've landed a fish, it's care is your priority, not the next fish.
In reply to Post #63
I like those beads, massive step forward in fish safety for me, brilliant
The only thing I found poor and eventually put me off them was the tapered silicone section that the bead sat on, didn't last long after a few fish on bottom baits. Not sure if they have improved this yet?
No doubt, for me the helicopter is on of the best set ups about or has been for me over the years
I like those beads, massive step forward in fish safety for me, brilliant
The only thing I found poor and eventually put me off them was the tapered silicone section that the bead sat on, didn't last long after a few fish on bottom baits. Not sure if they have improved this yet?
No doubt, for me the helicopter is on of the best set ups about or has been for me over the years
Thoughts on this fellas?
https://youtu.be/_wxQpWkl0BY
https://youtu.be/_wxQpWkl0BY