Fixed or running lead

[jacques]

For the past couple of winters when it comes to chub fishing l always used a fixed lead,feeder or link ledger.
My rig is a large float stop, link swivel another two float stops and then the hook. The length from weight to hook easily adjusted. Note this set up wont work with heavy weights. The stops slip on casting.
So the only knot is to the hook. A very robust set up.
As we know chub can be very difficult to hook. Easy when theres lots of them and in competition for the bait. But single fish can tap tap at the bait not giving you a chance. Even resorting to pointing the rod at the bait and feeling for the bite.
So even with a running lead. Chubby picks up the bait and immediately feels the resistance of the rod tip. So with a fixed lead for sure it feels resistance but may hook its self against the lead.
Just how a chub can take a baited hook. Slam the rod tip around and not get hooked has always mystified me.

[Marc]

I think this is where a paternoster can work as the weight is on a separate line and when chub picks bait up there'll be a differential difference of resistant. Its a tricky one because I personally dont like a paternoster but end up having to use it for bites. I just tie a small quick link swivel to a fluro line on the link leger that way I can use either shot or lead/feeder and trap the fluro through a float stop and knot the other end so it cant come back through unless u give it a real tug. Then I put a float stop in front of it. You can buy some really good float stops now designed for this method but cant remember the name of them I came across them on the net in the summer

[Deleted]

My go to chub rig is a float stop,link swivel,and a buffer bead with a size 8 swivel inside for attaching the hooklength.
I move the float stop towards the bead to create more of a bolt rig if necessary.
I only use either a palomar or double grinner knot,2 knots I trust completely, and always tie hooklengths at home rather than on the bank when it can be cold or dark and mistakes may be made.
If I’m fishing somewhere snaggy or a new venue I’ll tie a figure of 8 loop 4 inches up the line for the hooklength and a snap swivel to the tag end for the link/bomb.
A dead simple paternoster that never tangles.
I know fixed rigs are frowned upon by some anglers but in 50 years of fishing I’ve never lost a fish to a break above the knot.
I always go for simple rigs that can be tied quickly especially when I’m often casting close to snags or up trees like we all do sometimes 😊.