Many of the site's members will have seen these 'Splash Down' bait release clips, this write up is for those who haven't.

I took delivery of these from Tackle Tactics acting on advice from Phill, and I have to say I am so pleased I did. I have tried many forms of release clips and I have yet to discover one that doesn't on occasions release the bait in mid air, well this one can't. Is there anything worse than a premature ejection?

Like all good ideas, the concept is simple. As the name implies the clip can't release the baited hook until it actually hits the water. Now impact shields are made on the same principal but alas on occasions, they too, can release prematurely.

The 'Splash Down' clip actually locks the hook into position, and apart from a total clip failure the baited hook just cannot escape from the clip.

At a little over $5.00 for a packet of five they are extremely affordable, they are also reasonably aero dynamic, more so than an impact shield. I have just tied a dozen traces to suit my rig and a $2.00 CD storage case from the local $2.00 shop holds them securely and again, more importantly, tangle free. One other added bonus: unlike other systems the 'Splash Down' clip is not supporting the inertia of the cast, the sinker is supported by the main line ... as it should be. This means you tie the trace to a length where it is slack at the time of casting, the trace has no bearing on the effort required to put the end gear out into the fishing zone.

If you use the popular Black Magic style hook or something of similar robust size, then these clips are not for you. If like me you are a fan of fine wire hooks, as I have used in the pictures to show the clip in use, the holding ability is perfect.

If the manufacturers were to ask for an honest criticism then I would say they have left very little room on the end where you attach the sinker, to get the clip to open to allow the sinker's swivel to be locked in position would be a sod of a job with cold hands on a winter's evening. However, that is a minor quibble, one that is easily overcome by mounting the clips to your sinkers before you go off for a session.



In the close up below, you can see the edge of the stainless plate that holds the hook into the clip. You cannot release the hook by any other means than the flat shield being raised to move the locking plate ... a brilliant idea.