I use this rig with a size 4 hook, currently use silicone but want to use an aligner. However, most of what I have bought do not, or are very difficult, to go over the eye of the hook? What do people recommend?
I use the designated Korda ones designed for this rig. As much as they are a pain to initially get over the eye, once there, they retain that shape forever and kind of click into place when changing hooks etc. I’ve tried using silicone, which seems to split and slip very easily. Also tried using other aligners form various companies, but even with just a bream on, they slide off the eye up towards the Albright whilst reeling the slimy things in and the loop pulls right up to the eye and can be a pain to unpick. So for these reasons I have reverted back to the Korda ones, as they stay in place on the hook better in my experience. Shrink tube would work well, but would defeat the object of being a quick hook change rig.
That is a size 4 Atomic Sabre in that pic fyi, my favourite pattern. The OMC Magaligners (large) go over the eyes very easily and are my favourite aligners for most other rigs on all size 4 patterns.
That is a size 4 Atomic Sabre in that pic fyi, my favourite pattern. The OMC Magaligners (large) go over the eyes very easily and are my favourite aligners for most other rigs on all size 4 patterns.
I also use the Korda ones in large, it’s not the same combi rig I use them on just a regular coated braid d rig.. they can be fiddly to put on my method is to hold the lead end of the rig in my teeth and the hook in my right hand and slide the kicker down onto the rig it’s quite easy when you get used to it 
P.s the hardest part is actually piercing the kicker in the centre to fish it line aliner style
P.s the hardest part is actually piercing the kicker in the centre to fish it line aliner style
In reply to Post #1
korda for me but I am starting to trim them down a little bit if I am using a smaller hook (6 instead of 4) I trim from the thick end, just a few mm. I do not think the faff of piercing outweighs the advantages...particularly if you have a blob of putty (even with a wafter) that should perform the job of turning the hook, in my view.
korda for me but I am starting to trim them down a little bit if I am using a smaller hook (6 instead of 4) I trim from the thick end, just a few mm. I do not think the faff of piercing outweighs the advantages...particularly if you have a blob of putty (even with a wafter) that should perform the job of turning the hook, in my view.
Cheapo temu kickers work well enough.
Used to like these ones from pb products
LINKY POO™ https://pbproducts.co.uk/products/x-stiff-short-shank-aligner-8pcs
Probably do other styles as well nowadays
LINKY POO™ https://pbproducts.co.uk/products/x-stiff-short-shank-aligner-8pcs
Probably do other styles as well nowadays
In reply to Post #4
I’ve never found them a faff to pierce tbh. I’ve got a really sharp bait needle which the barb snapped off of years ago, so I hold the aligner with the slight kick facing towards me and poke the needle in from the hook end, hold it up to the light so I can see through it and poke it out through the front about 2-3mm from the end (without stabbing myself 😁). This makes the pilot hole in the right place and can pull it out due to having no barb. Then I use a fine splicing needle and insert the same way I did with the sharp needle, out through the pilot hole, hook on the braided loop and pull back through, attach hook and ring swivel and you’re ready to put a bait on and cast out. I make the braid loop about 40mm in length with a size 4 Atomic Sabre and that gives me enough slack even with a small blob of putty on the Albright, to just butt up against it and change the hook.
I’ve never found them a faff to pierce tbh. I’ve got a really sharp bait needle which the barb snapped off of years ago, so I hold the aligner with the slight kick facing towards me and poke the needle in from the hook end, hold it up to the light so I can see through it and poke it out through the front about 2-3mm from the end (without stabbing myself 😁). This makes the pilot hole in the right place and can pull it out due to having no barb. Then I use a fine splicing needle and insert the same way I did with the sharp needle, out through the pilot hole, hook on the braided loop and pull back through, attach hook and ring swivel and you’re ready to put a bait on and cast out. I make the braid loop about 40mm in length with a size 4 Atomic Sabre and that gives me enough slack even with a small blob of putty on the Albright, to just butt up against it and change the hook.
In reply to Post #5
I have found quite a few of the TEMU 'rubber items' to be a bit bright (green) for my liking.
The tail rubbers I got I now use in my pike kit
They might not make a difference, the carp might not care, but I can't sit behind them not knowing as hours of my life tick away...as I get older every session is another session closer to my last. Not meant to sound depressing, it makes me fish less lazy which is a good thing👍
I have found quite a few of the TEMU 'rubber items' to be a bit bright (green) for my liking.
The tail rubbers I got I now use in my pike kit
They might not make a difference, the carp might not care, but I can't sit behind them not knowing as hours of my life tick away...as I get older every session is another session closer to my last. Not meant to sound depressing, it makes me fish less lazy which is a good thing👍
In reply to Post #7
Quote: I’ve never found them a faff to pierce tbh
OK....I just need to find something suitable to make the pilot and I have loads of splicing needles that I use for various rig tying jobs....I'll have a little play about. Whenever I was using shrink tube for a standard line-aligner in the past, I was always insistent that I pierced the tubing with a darning needle, then I'd snip the end of the tubing at an angle, just behind the exit hole, to neaten it all up. I liked the way it sat....I relished a bit of "faffary" back then!
I guess once the aligner is in place you don't need to take it off again, it is only the hook and bait ring swivel if you need to change the hook.
I predict I'll end up stabbing myself at some point but I'll deffo have a go.
Quote: I’ve never found them a faff to pierce tbh
OK....I just need to find something suitable to make the pilot and I have loads of splicing needles that I use for various rig tying jobs....I'll have a little play about. Whenever I was using shrink tube for a standard line-aligner in the past, I was always insistent that I pierced the tubing with a darning needle, then I'd snip the end of the tubing at an angle, just behind the exit hole, to neaten it all up. I liked the way it sat....I relished a bit of "faffary" back then!
I guess once the aligner is in place you don't need to take it off again, it is only the hook and bait ring swivel if you need to change the hook.
I predict I'll end up stabbing myself at some point but I'll deffo have a go.
In reply to Post #8
I agree the colours can seem a bit less concealed, but when you see the korda team and others using red or yellow kickers you have to wonder if all this camouflage thing isn't just about selling extra products.
I agree the colours can seem a bit less concealed, but when you see the korda team and others using red or yellow kickers you have to wonder if all this camouflage thing isn't just about selling extra products.
In reply to Post #9
Something like this will do the job, just squash the barb down and try not to stab your finger lol 😂
Something like this will do the job, just squash the barb down and try not to stab your finger lol 😂
In reply to Post #11
Quote: Something like this will do the job, just squash the barb down and try not to stab your finger lol 😂
That looks ideal....
....it also looks like an accident waiting to happen, with my track record and sharp pointy things😢
Quote: Something like this will do the job, just squash the barb down and try not to stab your finger lol 😂
That looks ideal....
....it also looks like an accident waiting to happen, with my track record and sharp pointy things😢
In reply to Post #12
lol, when I can see the point is where I want it, I fold the end of the aligner down onto the needle and through it, rather than actually poking the needle through it if that makes sense?
lol, when I can see the point is where I want it, I fold the end of the aligner down onto the needle and through it, rather than actually poking the needle through it if that makes sense?
In reply to Post #13
Quote: when I can see the point is where I want it, I fold the end of the aligner down onto the needle and through it, rather than actually poking the needle through it
Got it 👍
Quote: when I can see the point is where I want it, I fold the end of the aligner down onto the needle and through it, rather than actually poking the needle through it
Got it 👍
In reply to Post #12
I have a guru micro fine baiting needle which would be perfect for the job without making the hole too big
Sure other companies will make them 👍
I have a guru micro fine baiting needle which would be perfect for the job without making the hole too big
Sure other companies will make them 👍