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Like @yonny I do not like using backleads, for the reasons he states. If you add a backend, you add an extra angle, and angles reduce indication. I will only use them if there are boats on the water I'm fishing, where I need to get the line below the boat hulls or engine. When I do need to use them, it is the Gardner Tackle Captive Back lead for me. The majority of the time I can get the line running along the lakebed by sinking my rod tips below the surface. That is on reservoirs and lakes. Add in any distance above 40metres and the line runs along the lakebed anyway, unless there are features like gravel bars between your rod tips and the end tackle.

I don't quite get it. We only use it to weigh the line down into the water, not to set the hook.

It wasn’t FOX. I came across two very unique backleads on YouTube back then. One was the Multifunction Backlead 2.0, and the only thing I remember about the other one is that it had hints of green and also flipped over once submerged in water. I’m not sure if it was a British, German, or some other brand—it was extremely niche.

There are no hard/fast rules but generally you'd go heavier for longer distance work and lighter for close-in stuff. I personally am not a fan of back leads. They reduce sensitivity and if there's any weed or debris around they can cause big problems. I remember watching a lad having to land a fish in a boat a few years ago.... his back lead had snagged in the weed. Once released, the rig/fish was also weeded up. It was like a spiders web of line around his swim, looked like a nightmare. He lost the fish. If I had to use one, I'd use a flying back lead. The important thing is getting that last few feet pinned down.

https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/fox-captive-mk2-back-leads?itemId=111949&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21966736211&gbraid=0AAAAAD_NdB5cC_jHX-VAImKGqQro1xmrr&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxjVenr904uw0ZMAuntXYbEYwzTU7171tN7TDjWDrNmXdhD6Ds9I470aAgA-EALw_wcB Possibly this one?

I’ve noticed back leads come in a wide range of weights. How do I pick the right one for different fishing scenarios? ------------ Also, I once came across a type of back lead on YouTube. I remember it’s designed to flip over upon entering the water, and it automatically releases from the line when a fish is hooked or when you lift the rod. I thought it was really well-engineered. The only thing I recall is that it has a bit of green on it. Does anyone remember the model number? I just can’t find it anymore.

https://tacklebox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TB6030-Line-Test-PDF-Issue-15-190526.pdf The previous link is no longer valid; the above are the latest working links.

I’m a member of Hastings and bexhill angling club and Clive vale club, send me a PM if you’d like any information on these tickets mate

You know what... you're right mate. I ditched them on Northey because it's all close in stuff. They'll be great on the big pit.

Be handy on the pit when the wind is up. You might have to dig them out so I can see what ancient relics look like 😂

Yes! I have a couple of sets of these. They look great but the heads are very heavy. No good for close range stuff. I ditched them for some of the original Solar heads. So, so light.

About £15 a pop, and Korda 3x 25mm were the cheapest for my Solar heads. I had to buy 3 to fit my old Solar indicators after I broke an IPRO head. Perfect world I now want some clear shrink tube to go over them... Custom Reel King or Matrix might be worthwhile.

Thank you so much. Frantic googling will now ensue ! Cheers Ian

I think Keith @ defiant mps does them

Hi having returned to using light weight swingers from using bobbins on chains for many years. The swing arms I have purchased have a 5mm male thread at each hinged end. I would like to carry on using my old illuminated bobbins (Osprey Kryptonites remember them?) As a result I am trying to find an adaptor that is 5mm thread female down to a 2BA male (3 of). Ironically Solar do one that goes 5mm male to 2BA female lol. Anyone know of anywhere that can supply these as putting isotopes in the supplied heads doesn`t appeal, have you seen the price of isotopes these days !!!! Cheers Ian

Also think groats, bit of an old skool thing, might also soak this stuff up too, if you can be bothered with it all now

I remember those days mate, "You can add these liquids to your spod mix, your particles, your powdered groundbait, your pellets." Agree with the groundbait, maybe glugging air dried boilies too, if anyone ever does that now? Tbh, otherwise a waste of time and effort...... Tin hat on! 👍

Not always like that Ian, A fantastic swim for floater fishing back in the day, before flying rats arrived 👍 Just if anyone is actually interested, back then it was an early fox bed chair, think an Argos sleeping bag and a blanket on top...... did me ok at the time 😟

I can see why it's called Winter Bay. Ian.

There you are , Newmarket , David Sullivan gone ! . 😃

Based in West Sussex mate, My main venue now is a certain group of club lakes off A27, have to say it's not what it used to be ...... sign of the times I guess, lovely big beds of pads ripped out and slowly turning into brown puddle lakes ☹️

not sure on the one in blackboys

Yes Myles I believe the owners name is; very small lake. There's also Park Fishery up near Blackboys if you know it?

i’ve heard of it, run by mayfly aqua care i believe. Not much info around on it though

Do you know about Longreed?