Float legering

[John Milford]

I do this very often when pike fishing, but hardly ever when coarse fishing. Until yesterday.

I was fishing a shallow lake in a stiff breeze and was struggling with my usually effective waggler approach due to the bow in the line dragging the bait.

A switch to a 1/4 oz running bomb and a Drennan 'Windbeater' proved an excellent solution - leaving me wondering why I've not tried it more often?

Like the swingtip, it just doesn't seem to be a coarse fishing method I've seen in use or written about for many years?

[Will Smith]

Funny you should post this John,as coincidence would have it, I was thinking about exactly the same tactic myself earlier today for one of my waters.

Will.

[Bob Watson]

I do it quite regularly in the form of polaris or locslide floats.

Bites are always positive sail aways and lifts.

[John Milford]

I do it quite regularly in the form of polaris or locslide floats.

Bites are always positive sail aways and lifts.

I like the curved, semi-locking float link attachment in deep water (piking) Bob, but use a fully fixed float just slightly over-depth in shallow water.

Like you say, very positive indication either way.

I prefer the lightest bomb practical to tighten down effectively, but not much more, when float legering. When heavier leads are needed I dispense with a float and fish a straight running leger with indicators.

[John Milford]

Funny you should post this John,as coincidence would have it, I was thinking about exactly the same tactic myself earlier today for one of my waters.

Will.

Great minds . . . etc., Will

[davelumb]

When I've done it (a long time ago) I used a swan shot or two on a piece of nylon looped over the main line above a no.6 shot.

[Nobby C]

When I've done it (a long time ago) I used a swan shot or two on a piece of nylon looped over the main line above a no.6 shot.

Link leger, a method from back in the mists of time. ☺

[John Milford]

One of the (great?) things about this forum, is that quite a few of its members also hail from somewhere "back in the mists of time'!

I had something of an extended break from regular fishing a few years ago - I still went (very occasionally) but did not keep up to date with magazines etc.

When I resumed (keener than ever) I could scarcely believe how much things had changed! 'Big pit reels', 'captive back leads', special rods, just for spodding and marking! Admittedly, it was mostly carp and match fishing that seemed to have gone completely off my known scale, so I wasn't too bothered.

I eventually figured it was mostly trendy b.s. to sell tackle and the latest 'wonder bait'' plus increasingly desperate looking 'new' ideas to fill magazine columns.

[Will Smith]

The term 'reinventing the wheel' comes to mind John, .

Will.

[Mike J]

Last time I did it I used a coffin lead, who under 40 remembers them?

Yes it was that long ago, something like...

good grief, 50+ years!

[jack]

I certainly remember coffin leads, though I've no idea why they were that shape.

[John Milford]

I certainly remember coffin leads, though I've no idea why they were that shape.

So that they wouldn't roll.

IMG_20190808_180132.jpg

(If you were really posh, you had 'Capta' leads (flattened, three sided pyramid shaped weights, with a swivel).

[jack]

Ok John, thanks. I presume square or rectangular leads weren't as aerodynamic?

[Mike J]

The Capta lead came much later John.
Capta were a follow-on of Dick Walker's Arlesey Bomb which Walker didn't actually invent but did modify by adding the swivel instead of the through hole and wire loop.

From memory the Arlesey bomb was 1953 or 54, Capta leads were early '60's

[Will Smith]

The Capta lead came much later John.
Capta were a follow-on of Dick Walker's Arlesey Bomb which Walker didn't actually invent but did modify by adding the swivel instead of the through hole and wire loop.

From memory the Arlesey bomb was 1953 or 54, Capta leads were early '60's

Fcuk me Mike, thats some memory you have there fella .
You must have fantastic recall, something I fail miserably at, although I do know a few people with very good recall just like yourself.

Will.