Helicopter rig for tench

[dr_matt]

What is your opinion about using a helicopter rig from this photo
http://www.anglinggazette.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/The-helicopter-rig.jpg
IMO it does not assure an effective strike. When striking the fish, the lower rubber line stop may easily slide down. Don't you think?

Most often I use one float rod and another one for ledgering (with bite alarm and a light hanger).
I always used this kind of anti tangle booms but I have to say don't like them so that's why I'm looking for some alternative and effective ledger/feeder rig for tench with red worms and maggots.

 

[trotter2]

The only advantage I can see is it would be less prone to the odd tangle!.... And the fish could pull the stop off, if the line snapped avoiding a fatality.

All I use for the vast majority of feeder fishing is a standard fixed paternoster rig,But if the above bothers you use a sliding paternoster like the type you use to form a sliding stop knot. Interested what everyone else uses also

 

[john step]

I have tried those plastic booms but found they are too cumbersome on the line and also prone to tangle. The less gimmicks and the more simpler arrangement the better.
I never use a helicopter rig for tench because I dont bolt fish for them. I prefer to float fish at closer range. But if I fish at greater range on a bomb this is what I do......
( I can see your concern about the stop sliding.)
I have banged on about Enterprise bits of tackle on this forum before but I can assure that I have no connection with them other than buying some of their products. SO...
If you use one of their ledger stops which are quite long and incorporate a bead this automatically acts as anti tangle as it throws the hook length out at 90 degrees away from the line. They are light and appear to have no "drag" effect to put fish off.
Now if you wish to fish helicopter type arrangement you can use a swivel and a short length of line above the stop to make a lead link ( with a float stop above the swivel)
Use a Enterprise LIGHT breaking strain lead attachment which will give way should the lead become snagged making it a safer rig.
I hope this helps.

 

[nicepix]

Those Enterprise ledger stops are the mutts nutts. Absolutely no slippage even on braid and with a built in anti tangle sleeve.

 

[Mr Cholmondeley-Corker (PaSC)]

Absolutely no slippage even on braid

So, by using one above the hook length the rig becomes a TETHER RIG!

 

[nicepix]

So, by using one above the hook length the rig becomes a TETHER RIG!

Well, it would be if you were daft enough to put one there. But as all the strain is placed on the lower stop then that is where I use it. The upper stop is a simple float stop on my helicopter rigs.

I don't know if you are aware of the Enterprise Ledger Stop, but you can arrange it so that it slips under pressure or is totally secure. Its all to do with how many times you put the line through the holes in the centre piece.

And, John wasn't referring to helicopter rigs when he mentioned the ELS and neither was I

 

[dr_matt]

While browsing the net I came across Drennan's in-line method feeder.
Have you ever used this 'contraption'?
Looks really interesting althought I'm not sure how it behaves with red worms on the hook

 

[benh]

Try drennan maggot bolt feeders. Excellent for when you want to fish maggots or worms with a bolt effect. Cant recommend them highly enough. Would add a link but dont know how to do it in tapatalk?

 

[john step]

Those Enterprise ledger stops are the mutts nutts. Absolutely no slippage even on braid and with a built in anti tangle sleeve.

I couldn't have put it better myself. What I have found also is you can use these without the winding back through as recommended if you only require a light bomb. Just in and out once( as the bishop said to the actress!)
I dont ledger without one nowadays.

 

[nicepix]

I couldn't have put it better myself. What I have found also is you can use these without the winding back through as recommended if you only require a light bomb. Just in and out once( as the bishop said to the actress!)
I dont ledger without one nowadays.

That's the way I'd recommend for a helicopter rig (below the hook) as it generally is strong enough to resist the pull of the bait when casting and gives adequate stoppage for bite indication but will slip down the line during the fight if a good fish is hooked. And unlike some stops it doesn't damage the line.

BTW; I don't use a helicopter rig for tench. I haven't fished for them for some years now, but a mate is stocking his lake with tench this year so I might yet get the chance. When I do it will be float fishing Mr. Crabtree style

 

[Mr Cholmondeley-Corker (PaSC)]

Well, it would be if you were daft enough to put one there. But as all the strain is placed on the lower stop then that is where I use it. The upper stop is a simple float stop on my helicopter rigs. I don't know if you are aware of the Enterprise Ledger Stop, but you can arrange it so that it slips under pressure or is totally secure. Its all to do with how many times you put the line through the holes in the centre piece. And, John wasn't referring to helicopter rigs when he mentioned the ELS and neither was I

Ah my mistake. I thought you were referring to the stops in the OPs rig photo.

Some of the rubber stops are pretty solid too, especially when doubled up. What I was referring to is when a rubber stop is positioned above the hook length. Yes you may be able to slide them by hand but they can jam in some situations. In this case just one slightly larger stop above the link is better.

A mate puts a tiny blob of Kryston heavy metal there instead, which can break away if needed.

 

[sagalout]

While browsing the net I came across Drennan's in-line method feeder. Have you ever used this 'contraption'?

Several manufacturers produce in line flat bed method feeders. The "method" is a great method of feeder fishing, mind you whatever feeder type a manufacturer makes one of the consultants will be there telling you it is a fantastic way to catch more fish. I have yet to prove to myself that a method feeder is any better than a cage feeder.

There are also banjo feeders and pellet feeders that we are assured will catch more fish.

 

[dr_matt]

Just bought the Drennan's in-line method feeder. Looks nice. Will give it a try.
As I can see it comes with a connector to connect the main line with the hook length. The connector sits quite tight inside the feeder so I assume that this rig is intended to self hook the fish.
And my question is - do you think it's better to use a fixed bolt rig or a running rig when fishing for tench with red worms?

 

[Ray Roberts]

Try drennan maggot bolt feeders. Excellent for when you want to fish maggots or worms with a bolt effect. Cant recommend them highly enough. Would add a link but dont know how to do it in tapatalk?

I made some feeders very much like these some years ago when I was comparing the effectiveness of artificial baits to the real thing. The central tube on the ones I made were a bit longer and I super-glued a rubber bead on the feeder side of the tube, the swivel of the helicopter hook-link then went on the tube followed by another bead pushed on to keep it in place. This has the advantage of the hook-link swivel running on the plastic tube rather than the mainline. It worked a treat. I also used another short hook off the bottom swivel, allowing me to fish two different baits within inches of one-another. I also used the same set up with similarly modified cage feeders. Bites were very positive and I caught hundreds of fish on this system without any problem at all, I am aware some don't like multi-hook rigs but I can say in all honesty I never encountered one problem.

 

[sagalout]

fixed bolt rig or a running rig

I always feeder fish as a semi fixed bolt rig, because I always fish the feeder as a sleeper on the beeper whilst I float fish a second rod.

 

[chub_on_the_block]

Ive also used the Drennan in-line method feeders in a free running way, using an old school loop to loop hooklink (or mainline straight thru) below a leger stop which fits the internal tube of the feeder. I like the anti-tangle properties of the inline feeders but prefer not to use bolt rigs unless they are the only effective method (in my experience they are not).

 

[dr_matt]

OK guys, Drennan in-line method feeder is already on my rig for tomorrow fishing
This test rig is created exactly how it is described in the attached instruction. In-line semi-fixed, with a short hook-length of 4'' made from fluorocarbon.
We will see how it works.

Maggot bolt feeder is currently not available in my fishing shop, so maybe I will be able to give it a try next weekend.

 

[jasonbean1]

what you tend to find with inline feeders fished at distance with small baits is the hooklenght does not ping forward and causes tangles when the wind is in your face, thats when a helicopter works best. its a trial and error ring depending on how you set it up i ended up with the hooklength just coming straight off the top of the feeder. found it tangled less and still got the same bites.

jason

 

[sagalout]

inline feeders fished at distance with small baits is the hooklenght does not ping forward and causes tangles

I bury my hook bait in the feed to prevent this from happening, with the method burying the hook bait is standard practice and I always set my hook bait into the end of the cage feeder.

 

[jasonbean1]

Sagalout, agree on method/groundbait feeders...my mistake i shoud have said in line maggot feeders such as the drennans