Back leads

[slabber1]

Hi, can anyone shed some light on the use of back leads when river fishing, ie how to set the rig up and what are the benefits of doing it, just been reading an article in angling times about Martin bowler using one to snare a big barb on the Thames.

[basha(mark).]

never used em on rivers mate and surely would have to be a decent weight to benefit around these parts with the flow we have.dosnt mean to say they don't have there uses mind.seen a few lads fishing the bull stretch carp style on the swale and using backleads,but they are fishing out of the main flow,could certainely tackle the leaf problem we encounter this time of yr.they'd be pretty useless on the beats I fish.wouldnt like to think I had 4 oz ov lead on my tackle end and another 2-3 bk lead aswell.and dosnt really mean because he was backleading that he wouldn't have caught the fish in the first place without it to be honest.slow river systems I suppose it could have some benefits,but me, the old tried and tested methods does the trick around these parts,im a sucker for change and stick to my methods that work.why complicate things,ide be concentrating on location of the fish and baits more than anything,they are easy fish to catch without all the fandango's and tackle is simplicity in itself,the more tackle in the water the more tackle you lose,the more tackle to snag up.

just my thought on the idea,not saying it wnt work,just cant see the point apart from the leaf problem,most fish are caught at dusk so no need for pinny lines down.carp yes to illuminate liners etc.barbel arnt tackle shy and ones they get there heads down there's no stopping them ones they are on the feed.you know your stuff no denying,but stick to what works I say,ive had no problem catching barbell for 30 yrs,and I don't think a back lead would produce any more or less fella.

[ronny]

IMHO black leads won't work on some rivers due the contour of the river bed and varying depths, if u know the peg is flat and snag free then it may be an advantage, certainly on smaller rivers such as the nidd.

Kordas flying back leads maybe better than normal ones cause depending on what size u get depends how far it flys back, an over hand cast won't make the lead fly back to much so it would probs be a lot better, certainly worth a try

[basha(mark).]

just think on a fast flowing river unless it was heavey the balance wouldn't be rite specially if the lead on the far end was doing its job.the back lead would have to be something to handle the flow also otherwise your line wouldn't be strait or uniformed or direct to the end tackle.some bites are small plucks and could easily be missed aswell.

its a trial and error thing I certainely wouldn't use the idea anyways not around these parts.the nidd ronny can flow really quickly,and its so narrow the majority of it,its a pointless way of fishing most ov it your fishing no more than two rod lenghs.

[basha(mark).]

just been reading through a few posts.there use is minimal and better using them on larger rivers as to the smaller rivers around this area.plastercine seems the best way to go and its obviousely made to stop well before your end rig.unlike a carp rig were it more or less drops strait to the bottom,for barbel they travel further down your line.thats fine suppose again on slower rivers were say 4-5 ounce is enough with both leads as combined weight.plastercine suppose will drop off on retrieval in most cases so not so bad or if it gets fouled up it will pull away.still not my cuppa tea but everyone to there own.not recommended on snaggy swims either,so that puts my swims well and truly out of the equasion lol.

probabely be ideal for likes of the trent mind,you need between 4-6 ounces in normal conditions,specially on the tidal trent were a 5oz feeder is needed loaded your talking 6oz in some cases.better put thoughs 1.75-2.2 test away and get some bigger rods lol.

[slabber1]

Cheers for the help lads, I think he was using it so as not to spook any barbs getting liners. I fished the tees last night and was getting lots of whack rounds but nothing there, I was thinking this must spook them that's all

[basha(mark).]

ive had a lot of sessions this season mate on the tees and it seems to be a reacurring thing getting bangs and rapps that take your rod off.all I did was extend my tail up as 4-5 ft and I was hitting more bites.a lot are chub and trout can do exactely the same.can be a real pain.i just wait now until the rod goes and keeps going.could be you have more fish in your swim than your used to also.had a day on the swale with the above whilst fishing the weir pool at toppy for 3 hours I couldn't connect.i changed a few things and ended with two whiskers and 7 chub.

what baits were you using....sometimes it pays to gauge rite down to double caster or maggot or a single grain of corn on smaller hooks.ive had a lot of the above on pellet n meat before now,just switching smaller can prove a big bonus.

[slabber1]

Cheers bash, I was using hair rigged sausage squabs from lone angler ( trefor west) connected with 2 chub, but got the feeling there was barbel in my swim and my line was spooking them, perfect mild conditions for em as well, I also used garlic spam, I was getting rattled and small pulls from chub (I think) but had the rod nearly off its rest a few times thinking I'd hit the jackpot but nothing there

[basha(mark).]

try not to introduce any maggot or caster bud and try the above on the hook,double magg/caster or a grain ov corn on the hook.try a strong 16/14 hook something like the korum experts.i reckon u'll hit more fish could be the baits your using that's spooking them specially if its going in all the time.a lot of fish now are cumming to magg/caster on the swale and not so many on the larger baits.introduceing a few through a feeder will be ok mind,but build it up more with crushed hally pellets and a strong method mix with the above on the hook it works a treat and there's enough in there to keep them interested fella.give it a go and let me no how you get on.im out hopefully back end of the wk or nxt so might squeeze a sesh in with ya mate.

gd luck matey.

[basha(mark).]

www.fishingmagic.com/news_events/match_news_and_reports/15867-barbel-fishing-%E2%80%93-attacking-the-swim.html

have a read ov this bud,same tactics I use fella with solid results

[ronny]

I love it when u get going bash, get some good tips

[basha(mark).]

its just what ive tried and tested mate over the yrs.been fishing these methods now for a long time bud,probabely before the link I put up to be honest.before it was pellet ide used crushed beef dog buiscuits the type you soak before serving lol.they worked a real treat with a small amount trout pellet paste added and an egg to stiffen it all up.i have tried all the fancy riggs and to be honest my returns havnt been any better or worse.just don't see the point complicating setups when its not need.this is wen I was fishing the trent teme and seven more like and it worked on thoughs back in the 80's fine and the population of barbell were a lot less then,it was mainly chub with the odd barbs thrown in.so just use the same tactic here and it works.the tees is still a mission to crack though,a lot different to other rivers ive fished and I think ile never truly crack it to be honest.be thankfull for one fish and one bite.but if the fish are in your swim in numbers then the method above is a certain winner.its all about scent trail,not as much as the fish being directely on top ov you.ide much prefer to fish away from them and draw the fish in.a longer line in the water is far better than a short line it will settle itself on the bottom if fished that way,were as if your sat say 15 yds from your initial cast then u will have line trailing through the layers.a longer cast and a lower rod position is better than a short cast and rod in the air in my book anyways.

[slabber1]

Cheers mate thanks for the advice,I just had a feeling there was a few fish in front of me that's all, all
Through dusk I got that sort of electrical 6 th sense that something special was gonna happen !! I think it was a missed opportunity on my part anyway, I should have stayed out longer but didn't want to get barred from the club.,i think the weathers gonna get cooler from midweek mate so that might put a dampner on things for a barb but I'm up for a sesh mate after next weekend if weathers right.

[basha(mark).]

there's still a window when the temps drop,just means upping sticks mate and get yourself on the swale instead.fish can be caught.what you don't want is snow water coming through,all chances ov a bule or anything else will diminish until it settles.but don't rite the whisker off completely.ile still be fishing for winter barbel but its not a bad idea to keep your tackle sturdy on set pegs ov the swale.ive certainely caught bules from December through till febuary when the rivers are up.ile just switch to fluro's.if chub are feeding there every chance a whisker will move over,not always but ive encounterd it a few times and lost a few fish to scaling down to much.keep on plodding away and the rreturns will come.your doing nowt wrong,your just fishing a river that dosnt let its secret out to much.

[ronnie]

You know some shit Basha, and I mean in the best way. Some great tips there, all gained from experience.