Back Leading

Moggies don't like to feel any resistance when they pick up the bait! I tried it last year soon knocked it on the head for the same reason. I only use about 1oz or 1 1/2 oz of lead when live baiting as well, just enough to stop the bait roaming too far, to try and reduce resistance. If you use a large dead bait try free lining.

I use a backleading set up but only when freelining large baits, its worked ok for me so far.
I dont think i would use it for any other set up though.

You confirmed my suspicions fellas cheers.

i missed quite a few runs on my last trip and put it down to the lead size as i was only using a 1oz to dead bait. i thought uping my lead to a 3oz square on a short hook length so the cat near enough hooks its self would be the answer is this a no no then?

If they feel it they will drop it! I never use more than 1 1/2 oz if I have a large dead bait then I free line it.

if you fish with backleads then you're no longer using a running rig. i use backleads but then i use the sacreligous bolt rig so it makes very little difference.

if you fish with backleads then you're no longer using a running rig. i use backleads but then i use the sacreligous bolt rig so it makes very little difference.

Bollox, why is it not running rig when using a back lead it still runs though the back lead.

the line has to take a new course through the water, so unless there is zero resistance on the bank, the backlead moves. it also forces the line to pass over any weedbeds which adds resistance. i once cast on to the far bank to drop a livebait discreetly in the far margin, i put a backlead on with my normal set up, a slack line and light bobbins, and you'd be surprised how much resistance there was.

also, there is a lot of friction where the line passes through backlead itself.

Yes but its still a running rig & that was my point.

true it is technically a running rig, but mono passing through the eye creats friction. i've had takes before with a running rig where the line actually saws through the backlead to a degree, and that was pike fishing on the thames with an open bale arm, and if you wind in too fast the backlead actually sometimes heats up a little.

if you use a backlead that's made of metal and a braid mainline then the effect is probably reduced a little. im not sure where exactly the resistance comes from when using a runing rig, but there is definately resistance there.

To be honest i think that is getting over techinical. You either hook the fish or you dont and if you keep missing the fish then stop using it like i have done. Point in case, tried freeling my baits today with about a meter of leadcore just to hold bottom and banked every take apart from one that was a bit half hearted anyway. In fact of the 5 we had at willowbank today all but one came to this method, it works so i will carry on using it, only using leads if i am fishing distance. The takes were some of the most confident i have ever seen. Freeline with leadcore works and fishing the ounce lead was loosing me fish, thats all i need to know.

true. i take it all these fish were in the daytime? mind if i ask what bait?

Half frsh rudd, and sections of fresh eel. All natural baits caught on the venue and put straight on the hook. You cant go far wrong by using what they are naturally feeding on.

and in the daytime? well done m8. i saw an intersting article about carp fishing on the net while researching eels for the other forum. apparently the water gets more silty on days when i's raining hard, so mybe the cats will feed a bit in the day when it's just stopped raining.

The cats at this venue will feed all day round. The water is very murky but you can even take them on the surface in thirty degree heat at lunchtime. I am very lucky to have it on my doorstep but believe me its not as easy as it sounds, bait selection here is critical. Never blanked on this venue unlike some more famous anglers, ha ha, but it has took some working out to be that confident on it. Like any venue you need to do your research before you fish it, I did and have never looked back.

I know its off topic but don't forget that the rain will increase the oxygen content of the water (especially in small shallow and silty ponds) the effec t is likely to give the fish a burst of energy.

With rgds to back leads a mate of mine has been trying and while I think the added resistance is an issue he has continued to catch fish even when the going has been hard - one thing that I have seen though is that by using back leads you are increasing the chance of damage to the fish as the lead slides down the line during the fight - I have seen two cats cut through rolling on the lead.

carl

true with clip on and flying backleads, but the static ones that sit attached to your pod on a bit of line and fall of on the strike are much better, but there's even more resistance.

Try the Fox captive backleads availible from 1-3oz no chance of them sliding dowm the line.

A very interesting thread now, but I am still a line of least resistance merchant. My set up is geared to give as least resistance as possible I have the added advantage in that I don't even have any rod rings! So everything is free running. I have tried the fox back leads but I still think they give some drag.