THE RIG DEBATE

OK guys this is where i would like you all to post YOUR OWN views on the subject of rig safety. As most of you know we had our first quarterly meeting not so long back, and the subject for the talk that night was RIG SAFETY. Presented quite admirably by our head bailif...It is a subject that will run and run, and also one that will see many a heated exchange i have no doubt, and as such i will be monitoring it closely to ensure things dont get out of context,and none of us fall out!!!! As long as we all adhere to the basic principals contained in Johns talk then i can see no need to remove anyone from the syndicate for using a potentialy fish killing rig. but be warned i wont hesitate to do so if the need arises!!! neither will any of the bailifs. If in doubt then just ask!
There will be many ideas put forth here, some of which will call for the banning of this and that, others quoting the latest magazine article or the opinion of so and so famous angler.. all are welcome but please try and keep it to what YOU really think on the subject. i will try to keep my input to a minimum, replying to the whole thread when sufficient material has been posted, so that i dont slow down the natural train of the topic.
So there it is an open invite to one and all to get involved in the fishery management side of Tardebigge, and please dont be offended when some one (a bailif ) asks to take a look at your rigs, as they are simply doing what i have asked to ensure the continued progress of the venue for years to come. Looking forward to all your replies. ....Wonder who will start the ball rolling???????

My views on this are pretty simple.No matter whether it's leadcore, leaders or tubing behind the lead, my own opinion is this.........



1. CLIPS

Lead MUST be able to come free under moderate pressure.

No backstops on the line/leader/leadcore.



2. INLINES

I prefer to fish them "drop off" style, anyway, but if you fish them semi fixed, then nothing behind to stop the lead from sliding off (I think this Shokka rig is stupid, and in the wrong hands, could be a killer). Lead must be able to slide off leader/leadcore, so with this set up, I don't think it's appropriate to have putty (to aid sinking) on the leader/leadcore, as cold water solidifies the putty, and could impede the lead coming off. If I WAS going to fish with semi-fixed inlines, I'd only use rubber inserts (to aid the swivel pulling free of the lead) and certainly NOT the hard plastic ones, which can get jammed pretty easily, I've found, with sediment.


3. HELICOPTER/CHOD

We all know that the top bead needs to be able to slide off under LIGHT/MODERATE pressure from the hooklink ring swivel. The bead MUST be able to EASILY clear the leadcore splice at the top end. I don't tend to use either, so this has no relevance to my fishing.


For me, it's common sense. If you "crack off" with a baited rig, or you get cut off by mussels etc, my thoughts are (a) the lead must come free easily (b) how can you design your rig/terminal set up, so the fish is left with THE MINIMUM of set up to get rid of/trail until it's next caught.


THIS NEXT BIT IS IMPORTANT..........

I was speaking to Jim tonight, and he raised a VERY good point. Jim is checking his mainline meticulously as he thinks that his line is getting "nicked" on mussel beds. He proved it, and had to strip a fair bit of mainline off. There was a lot of fraying on his line. With the water being down significantly at the moment, mainline is more likely to be on the bottom of the lake bed for longer distances, and therefore, more likely to come into contact with snags, chod, mussels on the chod and out and out mussel beds. I think we've all been amazed by how choddy the margins are on the far side, and how many glass bottles there are in the lake.

Check your mainline lads. It may be worth casting out without a rig (away from your spots) and then feel the line back through your fingers. We can all do this to minimise crack offs.

Just my two pennorth. More like f'ing War & Peace !!!

Feel free to comment, chaps. Don't worry, I've got thick skin (is it !!).

cheers

Keith

Had a feeling it would be you or jim on first keith.!!! and to start with, a very good point about checking the mainline each and every time we reel in. I do it as a matter of course as i use x line and i like to clean the sediment off it and warm it up as i retrieve it so it casts a little better. the problems were encountering due to the mussels and other debris will continue as the weed comes up.( One more reason to make 15lb line the minimum.?)so i would like to re-inforce your comments. CHECK YOUR LINES EVERY TIME GUYS... A totally safe rig with a weak trailing line of say, 50yds long is not a healthy rig over any kind of weed. now ill leave you all to comment ... well done jim/keith for caring and sharing

Dont be affraid fellas........ POST YOUR THOUGHTS....

I spoke briefly to both jim and isit on this very topic on Friday night...This debate is very popular at the moment in the angling press and centers largley around the use of lead core leaders with a whole host of fisheries banning it Mid Kent fisheries the latest!
Its hard to coment on the reasons why such fisheries have imposed such bans but if one fish is found tethered then im sorry its one to many and i would support an out right ban.
Now ive only been a part of the syndicate for little over six months and have never herd of a fish beeen found tethered. This indicates to me that the members are fishing as safe as possible and that the future policing of terminal tackle/main lines is a step in the right direction!

On the subject of checking main lines russ and i found an over hand knot 30 yards from my lead and when i pulled for a break at this point the breaking strain was reduced at a guess to around 6 pounds.
So guys check your your main lines if in dought change it!