What size of lead do you use?

[S34MH1]

I use 3.5 ounces of lead under any circumstances. Is this reasonable?

[framey]

If that suits your fishing then it’s fine

[S34MH1]

8 hours ago, framey said:

If that suits your fishing then it’s fine

If we now go back to the mechanics of the hair rig: The fish sucks in the bait, and attempts to spit it. The bare hook pricks its lip and it “bolts” off. Now with a heavy fixed lead in place, as the fish bolts the weight of the lead pulls the hook more firmly into its mouth and the fish is on before you have even seen the bite. To achieve this you need at least 2 ½ ounces of lead and I prefer 3 oz or more.

https://www.ontariocarpfishing.com/carp-fishing-made-easy.html 

(I don't know how to choose, I listened to this person.)

[Carpbell_ll]

Depends on the test curve of the rods you are using, if your rods are 3lb TC a lead between 2-4 oz would be ideal anything more would bottom the rod out, anything less will not load the correct tension in the rod leading to more violent jolting takes and pulled hooks if the rods are on the stiff side.

[salokcinnodrog]

For a 3.25lb test curve rod, I use either 3 or 3.5 oz leads, and always the same on any trip. 

Basically I work out which one I need to get the distance I require on my furthest cast. At the moment the longest I can cast due to the weed is 50metres, so I'm using 3's.

If I need to cast further, 3.5's cast maximum distance on my rods. 

 

If I'm fishing closer-in with my Specialist rods, maximum lead will be 2oz.

[...]

I use 3oz Leads now, use them on running rigs. 

[Pete Springate's Guns]

4-4.5oz for most purposes on lead clips. If I’m chodding I’ll drop right down to 1oz if its castable.

[bluelabel]

As light as I can get away with.... having seen carp deal with heavy leads, I believe they have more trouble dealing with lighter leads... 1.5oz being the heaviest, 12 grams olivettes quite often, or sometimes just a single swan shot... and I often freeline... My methods don't work for everyone, but I often feel carping has become slightly formulaic in its approach, so doing summat different from the norm can often pay off...

[elmoputney]

On 02/10/2020 at 09:09, Pete Springate's Guns said:

4-4.5oz for most purposes on lead clips. If I’m chodding I’ll drop right down to 1oz if its castable.

Not played much with the chod but when I thought it might be a good method for something I had a little look again , I read a thing by Nigel sharp and he was saying about it being a bad idea to hit the clip when using a chod set up as this will make the line tight and the rig not move freely, that had never even occurred to me so I thought I would share it 😁 I also hadn't thought about a light lead being better that's maybe why I didn't really get on so well with that set up 😁👍

Ive started using 4oz on a lead clip recently, or 3oz inlines btw

[Pete Springate's Guns]

4 hours ago, elmoputney said:

Not played much with the chod but when I thought it might be a good method for something I had a little look again , I read a thing by Nigel sharp and he was saying about it being a bad idea to hit the clip when using a chod set up as this will make the line tight and the rig not move freely, that had never even occurred to me so I thought I would share it 😁 I also hadn't thought about a light lead being better that's maybe why I didn't really get on so well with that set up 😁👍

Ive started using 4oz on a lead clip recently, or 3oz inlines btw

I tend to let a chod rig ‘drill in’. I only ever use them over weed or casting to showing fish in an area I’m not familiar with. Not much point in clipping-up; I won’t be ‘spot’ fishing and secondly they are pretty much tangle proof.

[pablo7uk]

I use 2.5oz at the moment. My rods are 2.75lb and I find this to be heavy enough for use on these rods especially if I'm ever fishing solid bags too. Anything heavier seems cumbersome to cast. I once read something about ideal casting weights for a rods TC and that's why I settled on this weight. Add to this it's heavy enough to be roughly in the range of what most people use on lead clips and that was enough evidence for me to feel confident using them.