Advice on helicopter rig setup

[shakey]

Just wondering if you guys could impart some pearls of wisdom with regards to helicopter rigs.

 

I've never really fished with helicopter rigs in the past, but the last few weeks i've notice fish topping at a distance that is at the top end of my casting range. I have brought some fox pre-made leadcore helicopter rigs and I was planning to fish a 6"supermantis hook length, and whack them out as far as I can to the showing fish.

 

Any tips, advice, pitfalls etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Shakey

[neilscatchin]

The most important point is to ensure that should a break off occur that the hooklink can free itself off the leader/lead(apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.)

I personally don't think that in my circumstances fishing heli rigs gains me any extra yards and would be quite happy fishing standard lead arrangements and if properly applied then tangles are avoided.

TBH you done the best thing possible by buying a leadcore/rig components as a complete kit by far the safest option.

[russell1]

The fox ready mades are very easy to pull the hook link off infact to easy if your'e gonna cast them hard, tie a bit of pva tape or string just above the top bead it will stop every thing flying up the lead core on the cast

[salokcinnodrog]

The most important point is to ensure that should a break off occur that the hooklink can free itself off the leader/lead(apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.)

I personally don't think that in my circumstances fishing heli rigs gains me any extra yards and would be quite happy fishing standard lead arrangements and if properly applied then tangles are avoided.

TBH you done the best thing possible by buying a leadcore/rig components as a complete kit by far the safest option.

 

I agree with Neil on most of that, although I've yet to Prove/Disprove the Distance being any better, but it seems that because the Lead is going out first at Maximum Velocity it should pull the Rig along a little bit further than your usual Cast.

 

The only thing I would change would be to go to the Solar Helicopter Rig Kit:http://www.solartackle.co.uk/.

 

The other things I found to work well were Cox and Rawle Rig Beads in the Sea Fishing Section. They are a Dumbell shaped Bead where one end slides off to put the Swivel on. Just make sure the End that slides off is Upline or the Rig may become a Death Rig

[shakey]

Russell, thanks for the tip about the pva string. I was worried that the top bead might move in the cast.

 

Neil/Nick, i'm not sure that the heli rig will give me any extra distance but I'm going to give it a go. I have observed the carp regularly for the last few weeks from the bank opposite (nick they are on the arm by Noah's car park going towards pine point), and I would put the distance I have seen them at about my maximum casting range. I'm hoping that this may add a yard or two to put me on those fish, i'll have wait till Saturday to find out

[salokcinnodrog]

Russell, thanks for the tip about the pva string. I was worried that the top bead might move in the cast.

 

Neil/Nick, i'm not sure that the heli rig will give me any extra distance but I'm going to give it a go. I have observed the carp regularly for the last few weeks from the bank opposite (nick they are on the arm by Noah's car park going towards pine point), and I would put the distance I have seen them at about my maximum casting range. I'm hoping that this may add a yard or two to put me on those fish, i'll have wait till Saturday to find out

 

Thats a Heck of a Range Mate! No easy way from either side to get to them.

 

If you can get your Baits as small as Possible as well it may make a little extra Distance. If you can get away with no PVA Stringered/Bagged Baits which also cut down on distance. You've said that you are using Mantis, as Stiff a Link as you can get away with to reduce the Potential for Tangles and as short a Hair as possible as well.

 

Keep any Shockleader Knots to the Back of the Spool when Casting, because if at the front, Line can "trip up" on it and either reduce Distance or cause a Crack off.

 

Mind you, you probably know this as well as me, but others who read this don't, so hope it helps them as well.

[shakey]

Thats a Heck of a Range Mate! No easy way from either side to get to them.

 

Sure is. I estimate that they are showing at about 120+ yards from the bank. The carp have definately found a bank of naturals out there, and I think that when I see them roll, it is when they are cleaning themselves after feeding on those naturals in the silt. I'm hoping a single hi-vis pop up, cast as close as I can get to them, might just pick one up as the move off from that feeding ground.

[shakey]

Tried my new helicopter rig yesterday and they seemed to work well