The Rigs Page – Rik’s Helicopter Rig

Firstly thread on a couple of float stops, then a bead (make sure the hole in the bead isn’t too big so that the float stop gets jammed in it), then your rig swivel, then another bead, then another float stop. Finally tie on a quick release clip.

Make sure that there is a small gap between the beads to allow the swivel to rotate.

It’s the hooklink rotating in the fashion of a helicopter blade that gave the rig its name.

The rotation avoids tangles.

The very last float stop allows the whole rig to be pushed further away from the swivel and held in place to give a variation on the presentation.

For instance, how about a cage feeder and three foot hooklink? Or maybe a blockend feeder and three inch hooklink?

I have also used this set-up when carping, trapping the swivel between the two halves of the Cox and Rawle beach beads so that there is less stress placed on the line, although I’ve never had the line part at the swivel.

Concern was raised a few years ago that the swivel caused the line to be at a very acute angle and that this was a potential weak spot. I say that’s complete rubbish, for the weakest spot is the knot, as always.

Never use this rig with a shockleader; its safety factor is that should you snap the float stops will pull off the line and not leave the fish tethered. A shockleader knot will stop the float stops from pulling off, thus creating a tether rig.