I've never tied this before so noddy question time
The instructions on the website i found this on says " use a suitable knot" which is ..what,
blood, granny, half hitch, rolling hitch, japanese bight, etc etc,
one things for sure you don't want it to slip on the hook , so answers on a postcard or reply below
Yeah, this is almost the modern take of this classic rig, however using a light line hair from the bend of the hook, without the hair being a continuation of the hooklink which seems to make it stiffer, the light, long hair makes the point of the hook "heavy" and the hook is more unstable on ejection. Its similar to the very early hairs during their inception with lenny middleton the knotless knot/continuation of hooklink-hair is a relatively recent concept, the hairs were often lighter hairs tied seperatley on to the eye or shank of the hook. As the hooklink of the time was mono, dental floss hairs on mono links were one of the first hair rigs i ever used in the mid 90's
The "hook bend hair" is relatively forgotten about as being "old" but it can work. It looks pretty "hookable" i think with a curveshanked hook, this would flip over and dig in really well.
Build wise, many machine built rods will not be built using the natural spine of the blank. Aside from aesthetics, Where a custom rod really comes into its own, is the fact that its custom. You can have the handle length set up perfectly for your arm length, and the eyes positioned perfectly dependingon what reel you are going to be using.
its a totally safe rig to use mate,used to use it myself,had some proper carp on it aswell ,i would say that 95% of the fish i caught on it were hooked at least 2 inches back in the bottom of the mouth and bang centre,also don't think the man that invented it would have used it if it was dangerous to the fish seeing he's in the public eye alot(dave lane)
Point taken. Your advice is good, so a public thanks to you, and a public apology if I have caused offence to any others. None meant.
Good fishing all.
S