Used for catching big carp in France, Chas Cook shows us how to make an effective Helicopter Rig using an inline lead. Obviously, this is just as effective for UK carp fishing. For distance work, you may like to consider the Distance Lead Helicopter Rig, which is set up to drop the lead in order to minimise the potential of the hook being freed by a bouncing lead and any damage to the fish itself. Ed
Both the Inline Lead Helicopter Rig and the Distance Lead Helicopter Rig have, once again, been used to great effect when fishing to open water marks using the bag and double foamed hook length, so that neither rig sinks into the silt. They are particularly effective when fishing to far banks, islands and lily pads over lake bottoms of sand and gravel. Takes result in drop backs on swingers and single beeps on buzzers as the carp leave the bank and islands on the reverse. The weight of the lead rapidly transfers to the point of the hook; in these situations 12lb fluorocarbon mainline is used, 30lb low profile leaders and semi tight clutches – not bait runners.
Bottom baits are used when carp are feeding along the far banks, but in the summer when temperatures are higher, they spend more time in the pads or on the surface under the trees along the far bank and so 40-60mm pop-ups are used on a chod set-up. Zig rigs can also be used off both helicopter set-ups, fishing to variable depths of water wherever the carp are lying in the lake and using 30-50mm pop-ups apple core shaped. The zigs are designed to put the rigs as close as possible to the basking carp; even if they are not feeding, carp at rest will naturally try to take a pop-up if a zig drops close to them.
Inline Lead Helicopter Rig (set up retaining the lead)
Component Parts
3oz-5oz inline lead – Standard tail rubber cut @ 45-degrees – Swivel with wide bore one end
Standard reverse inline lead helicopter set-up – Swivel placed onto extended sleeve – 3oz inline lead
Tail rubber placed on lead sleeve but NOT pushed tight
30lb low profile fluorocarbon leader with swivel already attached passes through the centre of the lead – Q ring attached – Longer hook length (shown) is a bottom bait set-up – A shorter hook length (not shown) would be a pop-up or a chod set-up
Hook length attached to Q ring – Funnel web bag attached to Q ring – Bottom bait of hook length set up
Chas Cook, Vaux
Fishing Holiday in France at Vaux
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