About to venture into the World of pva solid bags. (after lockdown)

In order to tie up plenty for a good start to the session it appears I need around 10 x 3oz inline leads and 10 x 65mm stems. (small bags only)

Thats as far as my research has got. Where do I buy stems and leads that will fit together without any size issues and don't cost a fortune.

Also what are the best shape leads for this type of fishing?

Any links or advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I use bamboo skewers for my inline leads 👍

In reply to Post #1
Ive ben using stems from Gemini tackle

I did get some from Banks tackle but they seem to have stopped doing them ??

And most of the lead makers that advertise on facebook will sort out leads for you .. I got some from Robert Pettengell and always easy to deal with

In reply to Post #1
worth while just doing a bit of trial and error with weighing a couple of trial bags first with the ingredients and lead in.

just so you end up with a weight that you wanted to be casting / or lobbing lol.

In reply to Post #1
Do you have a leader ban on your water ?

If not leadless leader is the way to go rather than stems.

Stems are fine if not fishing at range so you don't need to put the lead in first.

I use flat pears and square pears 2oz - 4oz depending on distance.

In reply to Post #5
completely agree here.

leadless leaders and 2oz lead all the way from 20yards to 140yards.
easy to loop to loop on when you need to recast, and you're using something that is multi purpose.

In reply to Post #6
No leader. Just be using 15lb mono fastened to the stem loop to loop as you mentioned. Only chucking 80mtrs max.

Was thinking I would need 3oz leads to get the small bags to that distance due to the drag. Do you reckon 2oz would get me there with 12ft rods?

In reply to Post #7
If you are going to chuck them 80 yards I would deffo suggest you make some short leaders with a leadless leader.
2oz might be ok if you use a small bag and pack it very tight.

Just splice a loop one end and a flexi ring swivel the other, then you can just loop to loop.
But with the extra length compared to a stem you can load the bag with lead in first, it will cast much better.

They sit better as well, I've seen numerous underwater vids that show the stems sticking up as the bag lands nose first.

In reply to Post #7
It should do
But it would depend on your rod and whether you can cast that far anyway.

Just strip the lead out of a piece of leadcore if you have any so you don't have to buy anything extra

In reply to Post #8
O.k. thanks, forget the stems then. What length should the lead free leaders be and what breaking strain should I use?

In reply to Post #10
I think
This is a good one
https://youtu.be/nChjY7ttCJk

In reply to Post #11
Excellent. Got it. Thanks

In reply to Post #10
I generally go for 18" - 2ft as I like it pinned down near the bag, especially if fishing over light silk weed

but its really up to you, as is the make, most of the lead free leaders available are pretty good to be honest, and far more flexible than leadcore. its one of those questions that will get many answers and different opinions as people have their favourites. But you wont go far wrong with Gardner, ESP or Fox

There are loads of good vids on YouTube just search for solid bag fishing.

I do prefer to use a bag loader as I mostly use 60mm bags and I have big hands / fingers, the Fox or Rod Hutchinson loaders are good, with the later you get 3 different size loaders that cover all the bag sizes.

LINKY

In reply to Post #1
When I use solid bags, I prefer pendant leads from Anchor. They're the ones with a groove on the body with a rubber O-ring. I think they've stopped making them, but I got some on eBay no problems. I can make a few up and simply attach to my safety running lead clip. They also do inline versions if you prefer.

Bit of a noddy question so apologies.
I fish a water with a leader ban, and want to make some small stems. I know I could buy them but am tight. Does anyone make thier own?
I was thinking small leadcore-leadfree inserts?
Flouro? Maybe crimped?

I was just thinking what are the watch outs before I think I've invented fire and end up with a death rig ;0)

In reply to Post #15
Use lead core for stems. Remove the core and save. Tie a swivel on one end and do a splice on the other. Thread it through the lead leavening the insert in. Attach loop to loop and near the top of the loop coil your lead core insert and cover with dark matter. Lead wise I use avid flat pear in 3 oz.

In reply to Post #15
Always have done and always will, there isn't a stem on the market that I like.

Hate the metal looped ones, the ones with a mono loop I don't have any confidence in and I don't think any of them do a quick link swivel, might be wrong?

NGT leads are about a tenner for ten delivered from ebay and the tail rubbers I used are here, but any will do. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153830162621

The Gemini ones are the best on the market by a long way in my opinion, I've had some avid one break on me but never ever had a Gemini one fail or break from fishing under the rod tips to upto 100yards with a solid bag, I bought 2 packs (10 stems) about 2 years ago and I'm still on the same one now

In reply to Post #17
Gemini and avid do quick link ones mate

2nd this.....I used the Avid QD Stems and they works great.

In reply to Post #18
I like the gemini stems if not fishing drop offs as they connect neatly with tubing set ups etc. Generally tie any new premade bags on with a palomar (if using tubing) but you need to be careful when snipping the old mainline knot as the fluro loop on the stem can get nicked / exposed if you're not careful . . .

Are PVA bag stems just mini leaders for the convenience of quickly redoing a pva bag.

I'd have though some clubs with leader bans would take exception to their use

In reply to Post #22
They are in effect mini leaders - although you could argue a gemini stem which is a 3inch section of flurocarbon with fused loops and a silicone sleeve (rather than a short length of leadcore) in combination with a 2-3inch braided section is not really that different to a stiff/combi rig presentation - ie in the event of a mainline breakage a hooked fish is trailing a combi rig . . .

In reply to Post #19
I've mentioned it a few times before but I've had several of the avid stems break at the swivel (from 2 different packs bought from different shops about 6 months apart so i dont think it was a bad batch) so I'd be wary of the avid product