Legering with drilled bullets

[tiddlertamer]

This season, for the first time, the majority of my fishing on rivers has been based on legering techniques.

 

I've tried feeders with success but, more recently tried some straight legering when wanting to try a few different spots in the swim.

 

My set up has been extremely simple. A small drilled bullet behind a single bb shot about 12-15 inches from the hook.

 

And it's been successful too - I've had a couple of barbel and some chub from my last two trips to the river bank.

 

I now need to stock up on weights and wonder whether to continue with this simple method or are there better techniques out there?

 

I don't want to switch to anything too complex but did wonder if the use of a bomb might be more effective, by cutting down on the splash into the river when casting.

 

Alternatively, would a link leger be a better bet? Should I experiment with using swivels or fish straight through?

 

Are other set-ups more effective than legering with drilled bullets and should I think about using bombs or link legers?

[tiddlertamer]

This season, for the first time, the majority of my fishing on rivers has been based on legering techniques.

 

I've tried feeders with success but, more recently tried some straight legering when wanting to try a few different spots in the swim.

 

My set up has been extremely simple. A small drilled bullet behind a single bb shot about 12-15 inches from the hook.

 

And it's been successful too - I've had a couple of barbel and some chub from my last two trips to the river bank.

 

I now need to stock up on weights and wonder whether to continue with this simple method or are there better techniques out there?

 

I don't want to switch to anything too complex but did wonder if the use of a bomb might be more effective, by cutting down on the splash into the river when casting.

 

Alternatively, would a link leger be a better bet? Should I experiment with using swivels or fish straight through?

 

Are other set-ups more effective than legering with drilled bullets and should I think about using bombs or link legers?

 

 

Sory to bump this but I'm hoping this board is just the place to benefit from the wisdom of people with a lot of river ledgering expertise under their belt.

 

Did drilled bullets become unfashionable once Dick Walker had invented the Arsely bomb or are they still a really good way of legering for chub and barbel in rivers?

Edited August 15, 2010 by tiddlertamer

[arbocop]

Sory to bump this but I'm hoping this board is just the place to benefit from the wisdom of people with a lot of river ledgering expertise under their belt.

 

Did drilled bullets become unfashionable once Dick Walker had invented the Arsely bomb or are they still a really good way of legering for chub and barbel in rivers?

 

 

I think the main problem with bullets is that they roll. This can be an advantage when you want to roll under snags, or just roll your bait around, but you are restricting yourself to that method if that is all you use. The line going through the bullet also means that everything is very close to the bottom (may be an advantage) so your line will snag weed and debris where it runs through the bullet. Eventually, the bullet will damage the line too. Static fishing is only possible straight downstream of the rod.

 

Bombs will roll to, but less easily and they also have swivel which prevents kinking and damage to line.

 

I generally use a link leger using a short link of line - no more than 3-4". This keeps the hook length off bottom slightly, and permits the use of various leads without changing rigs. I can then be certain of beinmg able to attach a flat pear lead or gripper, or even just SSG's. I can even take the lead off altogether if need be.

[Newt]

Brass bullet weights are smooth enough to be pretty well harmless to line.

 

With significant current I tend to go with a drilled flattish shape though so it won't roll.

 

I normally like inline weights.

 

 

[tiddlertamer]

Brass bullet weights are smooth enough to be pretty well harmless to line.

 

With significant current I tend to go with a drilled flattish shape though so it won't roll.

 

I normally like inline weights.

 

 

Wow! Those are real bullets! Which have then been drilled.

 

A drilled bullet in the UK does I believe refer to a smooth, round lump of metal with a hole through the middle.

 

More like a large musket ball methinks.

Edited August 16, 2010 by tiddlertamer

[Newt]

Nope. Those are purpose made fishing weights. That style is pretty well standard for Carolina Rigs (a way of rigging soft plastic lures). They are available in lead, brass, and tungsten in a variety of weights.

[watatoad]

As far as I know the drilled or pierced bullet (the round British musket type) was and is one of the best methods for a rolling leger which used to be considered one of the best methods for catching Barbel and elusive Chub.

 

Before anyone asks yes I do quite a bit of river legering.

[Anderoo]

I've only ever used drilled bullets to cock pike floats It sounds like you're doing well with them though. Most of my river legering is using link legers, but this is mainly for perch and chub in autumn and winter, and sensitivity is key. I have no experience of barbel and not much of legering in summer. So I'm not much help I'm afraid.

 

With perch I use a lead heavier than necessary so it doesn't move, and have the rod pointing straight at the bait with a very light bobbin. With chub, I use a number of swan shot (sometimes enough to hold it static, sometimes less so it slowly trundles downstream, depending on the swim) and a quivertip. In both cases, running link legers.

 

Rolling baits for chub and barbel looks to be quite a specialised technique and worth perservering with. This is quite a good clip on youtube:

 

Youtube Video ->

[weirwulf]

There is no definitive answer to the question as much depends on thye type of river. One answer I prefer to give is keep it simple and I think I can achieve that without any problem. I am not so good with the pc and giving a diagram but hopefully my description will be enough.

Firstly get a pack of Drennan Grippa Stops. Cut a 8 inch length of line of a fairly high breaking strain just for stiffness(I usually use 10lb for most of my river ledger) and lay it alongside your main line with the 2 ends together. Next join the lines by slipping them together through the wire loop that holds the Grippa Stops and pull a stop off the wire and over the lines. You should now have a tag of line attached to your mainline. Pull enough of the short bit of line back through the stop and tie an overhand knot in it this should now leave you with a good link emerging upwards on the mainline which you can pull up to the stopper. This will prevent tangles as the line is stiff enough to stay away from the mainline. next wet the mainline and slide the stopper up the line as far as you want it (I usually make this about 18 inches) and tie on your hook. The link line can now be looped to attach leads loop to loop if you wish and if you leave a long enough tag a drilled bullet can be slid on to it and be retained by the tag. Alternatively some shot can be pinched on to the link. Either way if you become snagged the link will pull free of the stopper and you have a fully adjustable ledger system. You can use the same idea with a swivel and hook length if you wish . Tensioning the line till resistance is felt ensures the fish has twice the length of the link to pull the bait before the weight is felt by which time the rod gets wrenched round