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Heavy bobbins/swingers (22 posts / 2,559 views)
Mji1994 Mji1994
Posts: 468
Post #1 17 May 2026 02:22
0
I am looking for some suggestions on new bobbins or maybe swingers I currently have korda mk2 stows which I have used for a few years but ive been fishing big tidal rivers with a heavy flow and occasionally some range fishing and feel would be better off with something heavier. I was looking at the korda black & white in extra large but started looking at the fox swingers mk3 but there is very little information or videos about them. I also saw nash and fox do micro swingers but am unsure they will be heavy enough (am regularly using 4oz gripper leads to hold in the flow). My idea with the korda black & whites was i could swap back between the stows and black & whites but I cant really tell how the nash & fox swingers detach.
stuart200
Posts: 168
Post #2 17 May 2026 11:09
0
In reply to Post #1
the micro swingers are not heavy enough and to be honest not very good, they need some form of quick release, which I believe the nash ones do have.

you can't go wrong with the regular fox swingers or a decent heavy bobbin like the black and whites. i'd probably go with the black and whites, like you said, interchangeable with your stows so makes the most sense.

korda are bringing out a new version of the black and whites fairly soon, think getting rid of the black chains etc for stainless

personally i've been using defiants banshees and don't think i'd swap them for anything else.
2ambream
Posts: 130
Post #3 17 May 2026 22:48
0
In reply to Post #1
I have a set of fox mk3 swingers, if you are familiar with the fox mk2 swingers they are more or less the same, difference is the swinger bar is black. The indicator heads are still the great looking translucent fluoro heads just updated head design. Nice indicators, only used mine a couple of times though as my pod is low down and the swingers need to be higher up to get a clear drop back without hitting the floor after a few bleeps of the alarm.

My own fault should have thought it through. Back when people used to use the mk2 they were on banksticks or the older rod pods where the buzzers were sitting higher off the ground. Today they are great for your European big water fishing set ups, not so good for modern low lying pods.

My one thing not sure about is how long the black coating on the swinger bar will last, i have a paint chip allready and they are as good as brand new.

Fox should do a mk 4 with a shorter swinger arm, a lesser drop from the buzzer to where the indicator arm starts but keep the translucent fluoro heads. I have seen the current smaller version they do, crappy coloured plastic heads and no weight on them, wouldn't use them if they were given to me, never mind buy some. It's all about the translucent fluoro
Ged
Posts: 477
Post #4 18 May 2026 09:49
0
In reply to Post #1
Have you thought about using tension arm indicators, like the Solar quiverlock?
Mji1994 Mji1994
Posts: 468
Post #5 18 May 2026 22:32
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Thanks for the information i dont think id have a problem with the fox swingers hitting the pod i have a solar euro universal pod. I saw jag make the safeliner mk2 as well which have weights to 47 grams. I didnt really look in to anything solar either tbh. Sounds like the fox mini swingers aren't what I am looking for.
Zack
Posts: 3,205
Post #6 19 May 2026 08:30
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If your having to use 4oz grip leads now to combat the flow, I cannot see anything "Free dangling style indicator" on the market made from the likes of "Plastic" to be heavy enough without being very large and chunky etc.

Have a look at making your own out of some stainless steel rod etc plenty on Ebay in various diameters.

A 2-inch length of 20mm stainless steel rod would weigh about 4oz.

All you would have to do is drill a hole top and bottom to take the chain and line clip and then cut a slt etc in the side to take a beta light.

Or even find someone to make you a set.
Nelbow Nelbow
Posts: 385
Post #7 19 May 2026 09:13
0
In reply to Post #1
LINKY POO™ https://niteglowcarpproducts.co.uk/

If you want a bit of colour brightness theres a couple options from this range and at a competitive price.
silverfish silverfish
Posts: 2,652
Post #8 19 May 2026 10:30
0
+1 for Solar quiverlocs
Belch Belch
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 4,660
Post #9 19 May 2026 13:48
0
In reply to Post #1
Delkim Slimlites (I'm a recent convert and have gone through a multitude of indicators over the years) do 20g / 30g C slot weights that can be easily added as required . . .v versatile indicators - slack or tightlines, especially if you own Delks . . !
Mji1994 Mji1994
Posts: 468
Post #10 19 May 2026 23:00
0
In reply to Post #8
I looked at the solar quiverloc id assume they are discontinued but look like they was replaced by the solar titanium long system which looks ideal in i could use them as a swinger set up or a tension set up and there's plenty of customization to add weights and different heads. Had a quick look at the delkim slimlite because I do have delkim alarms but the old txi plus but they said the line clip isn't strong enough for the 30 gram weights.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #11 19 May 2026 23:09
0
In reply to Post #10
The older Solar Quiverlok are more versatile than the new titanium arms as you can change the insert wire to vary the resistance. I use carbon rod and nitinol wires of different diameters.

Would make for a heavy swing arm though.

See here for eg

LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/FWBpXb

Edit, aka by some as springloc.

Edit 2,

Re weights on swingers, the centre of the weight is usually drilled out sllightly and threaded. A small rubber or plastic gland is placed inside the weight and a grub screw tightens it against the arm (in many cases). You could always get someone like Keith at Defiant MPS to make larger weights for you.

It would be much easier to use add on weights under a bobbin though.
Mji1994 Mji1994
Posts: 468
Post #12 20 May 2026 00:54
0
In reply to Post #11
I appreciate you finding them Vossy but I should have said im based in the Usa so wouldn't be able to get them.
DarthMullet
Posts: 321
Post #13 20 May 2026 10:07
0
Fox swingers with an inline lead glued onto the arm and a line clip glued into the top. Julian Cundiff did this early/mid '90's...
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #14 20 May 2026 15:35
0
In reply to Post #12
Never say never

Believe it or not, quite a few years ago I bought some Solar Tackle bits from was it BCT over there....at my own risk naturally p+p wise but all was fine
Waterfairy84
Posts: 22
Post #15 20 May 2026 18:20
0
The nash slap head swinger is a great indicator imo that's got interchangeable heads as well as a sliding weight on the arm. So yiu can have a 40g head with more weight added by sliding the weight towards the indicator head.
Mji1994 Mji1994
Posts: 468
Post #16 20 May 2026 22:45
0
In reply to Post #14
Thats funny you ordered Big carp tackle to uk i use them all the time they have the solar titanium in stock and where id be ordering from. Johnson ross are great and would ship to the usa ordered quite a few things over the years but now because of the tariffs and stricter imports requirements they say they cannot. I did have some freespirit his ive er built from the tackle box also I few years hopefully they are still shipping to the usa.
Defiant.one Defiant.one
Posts: 4,344
Post #17 21 May 2026 10:12
1
In reply to Post #11
The old Solar Quiver Lock was also seriously restricted in it's use compared to what it was based on (Scorpion)

As Martin (Locky) had to be able to pass the tension Rod through the centre of the 2BA stud Solar used, were as the Defiant Scorpion did not so you could fit different diameter/strength tension rods at will - made from Solid Carbon, Piano Wire, Welding Rods etc...... The design as not changed in almost 30 years now.

Amazes me how people still do not understand that Tension Style Indicators and Indicators that rely on weights are totally different "Animals" . Gravity (weight) does not change, a tension Indicators tension increases as it's bent further into a "U" shape and in doing so drives the hook home.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #18 21 May 2026 12:34
0
In reply to Post #17
Hope your well Keith.

I'm not sure I'd call the Solar Quiverloc seriously restricted for the average anglers needs. My carbon rods go up to 1.3mm and that applies some serious tension, in fact not using more than 3oz leads regularly I didn't order any larger ones as it was already getting difficult to bend. I'd probably of bought the Skorpion if I didn't have the SQs, maybe a consideration to the op.

I think tension arms are very overlooked nowadays, no one seems to like tight lines.
There's a art to balancing the tension so any movement of the lead drags the hook home, even more so when using back leads.
Defiant.one Defiant.one
Posts: 4,344
Post #19 21 May 2026 12:59
0
In reply to Post #18
Fine thanks JP, hope your well. That was the restriction - you could only ever fit thin Carbon Rods, with the bigger bore a multitude of cheap alternatives could be fitted - some a lot better than Carbon.


I use tensioned Indicators for most of my fishing regardless of range, some as strong as a 7oz loading at the Alarm.




Mji1994 Mji1994
Posts: 468
Post #20 1 Jun 2026 01:13
1
Got a chance to use the solar titanium today I used them with one of my elstow bobbins and a spare older solar bobbin id had for years they worked great i could move a 4oz gripper lead way before i could fully tension them. I did order the solar titanium indicator heads with them but found they was either too tight or loose and then found they damaged the line when I was trying to set them up which was disappointing. I have a friend coming over in a few months I might order some defiant bobbins to use with them and have him bring them over does anyone know if they would be compatible?

20260531-074625
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #21 1 Jun 2026 02:18
0
In reply to Post #20
Great to hear your happy with the Ti arms

I dont have the newer Solar gear so maybe best to await confirmation from someone who does, but Solar as far as I'm aware use 2ba thread for indicators. (Think they always have)

Might also be worth dropping Keith a pm or e-mail as he might have recommendations for you re bobbin type, he's on the forum as user defiant.one
MrNuvawun MrNuvawun
Posts: 2,443
Post #22 1 Jun 2026 17:36
0
In reply to Post #21
You are indeed correct mate, all Solar fittings are 2BA thread, as are Matrix and the old now defunct Muddy Waters/Cygnet. I cannot vouch for the later Trakker ones when they took over the Cygnet brand.
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