Like a lot of us these days I've been blinded by the use of fixed heavy leads and popped up baits .But recently I've been thinking of going back to basics and fishing a running lead system on braid mainline , with a hair rigged bottom bait on an ultra sharp hook . Mainly for better bite indication . I fish at distance dropping my lead via boat . Can anyone see any disadvantage using a running lead set up ?
In reply to Post #1
Running leads should be fished on a slack, sinking line, your braid is likely to float.
I say 'should be fished', in theory it doesn't make any difference as the line is free running, but unfortunately water currents, undertow, even wind will affect the line moving in the water.
The best way I found to get mono to sink and run along the lakebed, sounds wrong, is tighten up after casting, putting the rod tip under the water. Keeping the tip as low as possible, pull line off the reel as you put the rod on the buzzers, attach indicator, and pull more line off the reel until the indicator hangs straight down, and the line is in curves between each rod ring, touching every one, with it also going straight down from the rod tip.
Running leads should be fished on a slack, sinking line, your braid is likely to float.
I say 'should be fished', in theory it doesn't make any difference as the line is free running, but unfortunately water currents, undertow, even wind will affect the line moving in the water.
The best way I found to get mono to sink and run along the lakebed, sounds wrong, is tighten up after casting, putting the rod tip under the water. Keeping the tip as low as possible, pull line off the reel as you put the rod on the buzzers, attach indicator, and pull more line off the reel until the indicator hangs straight down, and the line is in curves between each rod ring, touching every one, with it also going straight down from the rod tip.
In reply to Post #2
I do the same as you Nick.
I do the same as you Nick.
In reply to Post #2
Slack line with running leads
Fixed lead for slack lines! With a running lead you should fish tight lines... but if you want to miss takes, crack on 
Slack line with running leads
Fixed lead for slack lines! With a running lead you should fish tight lines... but if you want to miss takes, crack on
In reply to Post #4
I don't get your logic
I don't get your logic
In reply to Post #5
Neither do I
Neither do I
Same here I'm
I wouldn't use fixed leads if fishing with mega slack lines, always running... the fish could be swimming for miles before you got any indication with slack lines and fixed leads.
I wouldn't use fixed leads if fishing with mega slack lines, always running... the fish could be swimming for miles before you got any indication with slack lines and fixed leads.
In reply to Post #4
Yeah totally don't get that logic or advise it, I would definitely recommend doing it the other way round. Running leads - slack lines, fixed leads - semi tight/tight lines.
Yeah totally don't get that logic or advise it, I would definitely recommend doing it the other way round. Running leads - slack lines, fixed leads - semi tight/tight lines.
In reply to Post #4
You've got that arse about face chap...
You've got that arse about face chap...
In reply to Post #2
He could be using sinking braid though, having said that floating can be useful to get over snags and bars. I've never really liked fishing running rigs at distance in all but the calmest of conditions and even then I'd use the heaviest lead I could get away with to enhance any take/reduce the chance of the lead moving and getting no indication.
It's a balancing act for the indication, give it a good wind and the resitance required at the indicator end just to make the line stay put, puts any notion of it being free running (as in the fish not feeling resitance) out of the window.
Also been in the position where the resistance from tight lines and under tow has allowed the fish to kite taking the lead with it with no indication, the under tow taking up any slack and keeping the indicator in place. That was simply because I couldn't hold bottom with the leads I had, worth pointing out as it can happen.
He could be using sinking braid though, having said that floating can be useful to get over snags and bars. I've never really liked fishing running rigs at distance in all but the calmest of conditions and even then I'd use the heaviest lead I could get away with to enhance any take/reduce the chance of the lead moving and getting no indication.
It's a balancing act for the indication, give it a good wind and the resitance required at the indicator end just to make the line stay put, puts any notion of it being free running (as in the fish not feeling resitance) out of the window.
Also been in the position where the resistance from tight lines and under tow has allowed the fish to kite taking the lead with it with no indication, the under tow taking up any slack and keeping the indicator in place. That was simply because I couldn't hold bottom with the leads I had, worth pointing out as it can happen.
Back in the day , 30 ish years ago we only fished running leads with bow tight lines, so tight the tips had a bend in them. The takes were fantastic and hooks were none to sharp back then either, slack line talk is ********.
In reply to Post #11
It's not fair to dismiss slack lines, most practices have their purpose.
If you're fishing a clear feeding patch at 30 yards where fish patrol through the path of your mainline, then you'll slacken off and sink the line.
Fishing with any undertow or flow would be a disaster.
And to the first post, if you're using braid with a running rig use a heavy fluoro or mono leader.. though you are then potentially leaving a fish towing a hooklink and leader
It's not fair to dismiss slack lines, most practices have their purpose.
If you're fishing a clear feeding patch at 30 yards where fish patrol through the path of your mainline, then you'll slacken off and sink the line.
Fishing with any undertow or flow would be a disaster.
And to the first post, if you're using braid with a running rig use a heavy fluoro or mono leader.. though you are then potentially leaving a fish towing a hooklink and leader
In reply to Post #4
I fish runnings rigs and slack lines all the time. With a running rig no matter how far the fish moves or in what direction you get a positive indication. You don't really get a drop back because the fish pulls line through the lead.
Nonsense saying you can't and shouldn't do it.
I fish runnings rigs and slack lines all the time. With a running rig no matter how far the fish moves or in what direction you get a positive indication. You don't really get a drop back because the fish pulls line through the lead.
Nonsense saying you can't and shouldn't do it.
In reply to Post #13
Yes I agree running leads work fine with slack lines, in fact so do fixed leads but only if you use the lightest bobbins you can get away with.
I never fish stupidly slack lines probably more semi slack, but sinking the line carefully and using light bobbins has made a big difference to indication even at range.
Yes I agree running leads work fine with slack lines, in fact so do fixed leads but only if you use the lightest bobbins you can get away with.
I never fish stupidly slack lines probably more semi slack, but sinking the line carefully and using light bobbins has made a big difference to indication even at range.
Don't forget though than running rigs work better with heavier leads so that there is less chance of the lead moving & allows the line to run through the lead swivel more effectively. I see too many people on the bank using them with 1oz leads & heavier bobbins that needed which when the fish picks the rig up, the lead moves before the bobbin does negating the benefits of using a running setup. A large flat pear or square lead works much better than a similar sized rounded pear lead IMHO. Even with inline setups fished running, the best leads for those I have found are the Nash flat square ones. Removing the insert & polishing the insides to remove any burrs etc work fantastically on straight mono/fluorocarbon or even tubing, as I do not like using leaders of any type other than when fishing a rotary/helicopter setup as the risk of the fish carrying a leader around should you crack off, etc is just as dangerous as a fixed lead IMHO especially with materials that hold memory like leadcore or cannot be broken easily should they get snagged.