Bolt rigs for roach etc

[Rusty]

So where did we get to with the bolt rigs discussion?

[Vagabond]

So where did we get to with the bolt rigs discussion?

Waiting for a bite ?

 

I would not like to be limited to one method for roach. Even in the same water, roach can behave differently on different days.

 

Thinking about the various methods for targetting roach, my first approach on still water would be float fishing at short range.

 

I might elect to use a free running leger if it were very windy and choppy (rod tip below surface) In the unlikely event of my wanting to fish at long range, then a helicopter rig, 2 oz lead and tight line makes sense, but I prefer to fish close in.

 

Again, on a river, float ( trotting ) would be my "go to" choice, but stret-pegging, laying on, or a running leger are useful alternatives. Having said that, one of my best river roach came to a free-lined lobworm (I was after chub).

 

One characteristic of my roach fishing, is that in still waters I find a nuisance carp is onto my hook within the hour, and when river fishing, after about the same time interval, I get a two-pounder plus to take the bait, and find I am into a chub.

[RUDD]

Stop and have a think about a semi fixed bolt rigs mechanics.

Compare to a free running set up and a float rig.

With the last two a big Roach sucks in the bait, feels resistance and ejects bait in a very fast split second.

This can and does happen with a semi fixed bolt rig when using small hooks and baits as the hook does not turn/flip as well as a bigger hook BUT if the hook goes into the mouth at correct angle the Roach still feels resistance, tries to spit out bait, pricks itself, bolts and hooks itself.

Another detail to point out is that most Roach on conventional methods are hooked in top lip.

Most fish on semi fixed bolt rigs are hooked in corners or bottom lip.

If targeting big Roach using a semi fixed bolt rig I personally would use a mag alignier rig on one rod and a semi bouyant rubber maggot on the other to see which works better.

Edited May 31, 2016 by RUDD

[Tigger]

Stop and have a think about a semi fixed bolt rigs mechanics.

Compare to a free running set up and a float rig.

With the last two a big Roach sucks in the bait, feels resistance and ejects bait in a very fast split second.

This can and does happen with a semi fixed bolt rig when using small hooks and baits as the hook does not turn/flip as well as a bigger hook BUT if the hook goes into the mouth at correct angle the Roach still feels resistance, tries to spit out bait, pricks itself, bolts and hooks itself.

Another detail to point out is that most Roach on conventional methods are hooked in top lip.

Most fish on semi fixed bolt rigs are hooked in corners or bottom lip.

If targeting big Roach using a semi fixed bolt rig I personally would use a mag alignier rig on one rod and a semi bouyant rubber maggot on the other to see which works better.

 

If you use a running rig and have taught lines it works just like a bolt rig set up anyhow, most fish caught with a quiver tip will be hooked without the need to strike.

[RUDD]

If you use a running rig and have taught lines it works just like a bolt rig set up anyhow, most fish caught with a quiver tip will be hooked without the need to strike.

A thought: running rig with tight line and just enough lead.

Fish picks up bait, hooklink straightens, lead is slightly dislodged causing taught line to move it backwards a few mm causing a self hook rig?

 

An article read lately indicated that many anglers fishing the method use two soft a quiver tip giving fish a chance to drop a bait.

 

Must dash, going for a rare dangle!

[The Flying Tench]

Too soft a quiver tip - thanks, that sounds like me.

 

Re your earlier post, what is a mag alignier rig?

A thought: running rig with tight line and just enough lead.

Fish picks up bait, hooklink straightens, lead is slightly dislodged causing taught line to move it backwards a few mm causing a self hook rig?

 

An article read lately indicated that many anglers fishing the method use two soft a quiver tip giving fish a chance to drop a bait.

 

Must dash, going for a rare dangle!

[RUDD]

Too soft a quiver tip - thanks, that sounds like me.Re your earlier post, what is a mag alignier rig?

http://enterprisetackle.co.uk/the-mag-aligner-rig

[Anderoo]

Agreed - allow softness or slack into the setup and it won't be anywhere near as effective. I'd still recommend swapping the quivertip for a normal rod, point it straight at the rig and clip on a very heavy bobbin.

[Dales]

I have never set out to catch Roach on bolt rigs but I often catch decent sized Roach and Rudd over a pound by accident when fishing bolt rigs with smaller boilies etc when after Tench and Bream on various pits and reservours to suggest it is a very viable method for big Roach.

 

However saying that there are the odd venue where this has never ever happened including a Kent pit I fish. If I total up all the hours I have fished at that venue it is quiet extraordinary that I have not fluked a good sized Roach on a bolt rig. i have had nice Roach and Rudd on float tackle so they are there but for what ever season they never show to me on bolt rigged baits. So maybe it might not be as good a method as I think it could be. It may be one of the those horses for courses kind of things.

 

I think as others have suggested if i where targeting Roach then I would go running rig with a tight line and heavy bobbin to get the bolt effect rather then a bolt effect off a lead or feeder.

[Anderoo]

The best way to research the method is to look up info on fishing at willow pond at Linch hill. From memory there's plenty on the web about it.