Has anyone tried a rig like this? My theory is that it might be helpful when you are unsure of where the fish might be (thats me 100% of the time). I've not tried it yet, but will as soon as I get a chance. It should allow the trace and bait to slide up and down the mainline much like a sliding livebait, therefore covering a greater area in search of a fish.
Some one must have already done this, what would would be the drawbacks if any?
Posted by Chad on 11/8/2013, 11:25 am, in reply to "Experimenting"
The biggest issue will be how it slide over the swivel on your back bone to cover the water column, you will also need allot of rubber bands as a fish will pull the trace down and break them.
If your mainline is attached to your sinker, will it take the shock of the cast
If you trace is to light, and it is on the main line, with slidebaiting you get trace wrap, if this occurs you can expect to bust off on a solid fish as the two line will damage each other.
Realistically, unless fishing a harbor with high current, you bait will not move to far at all. Just a few things to think about. Wairoa Hawkesbay
Take Nothing For Granted
Re: Experimenting
Posted by racepics on 11/8/2013, 12:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Experimenting"
I was thinking of having the end of the shockleader right at the sinker clip. That way the swivel on the trace would slide freely up the shockleader and onto the mainline with nothing to go over except the shockleader knot. The rubber band is only there to hold the trace straight while casting. If a fish is hooked, the trace-swivel would just push the rubber band down to the sinker clip.
Tangles could well be an issue though
The other problem that might occur if using floats is the bait floating way up to the surface and snaring a gull..
Posted by Chad on 11/8/2013, 1:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Experimenting"
I think that is a misconception with some people surrounding line angles. Much like a river running down stream, 3-4 meters of rod over 100 meters, with a good line sag almost places you mainline on the deck for 20 meters. Most locations your casting into around 3-4 meters of water, so a 500mm trace with a float I cant really see it getting anywhere near the surface unless its substantially big and buoyant.
Personally I think having control of your rod and putting a bait exactly where you want is an important tool. Like whirinaki reef where you fish, you would know that that reef has crays and a decent sea life on it that will attract snapper from October when shelling ect... So getting your bait as close as possible would be the best advantage. Or Arapanui, putting your bait where the river mouth has soured out deeper hole when in flood, or fishing next to the foul. Or ocean beach, finding the calmest water for gurnard. Or kahawai, directly in the turbulence behind the waves...... Placing your bait exactly where you want it is an advantage. I think the experiment part is more on the rig itself. When you get a bait where you want it, what can you do to present you bait/baits in a way that more appealing. Like how can I clamp down a ledger rig that will cast well, and on impact with the water, maybe a design where a float holds the ledger upright off the bottom........ Maybe trying to have it so the rig is actually below the sinker............ Thats just an idea, but with the clips that are available now, you can get quite creative.
Another idea for your water column fishing is slidebaiting with non return clips and shaking the rod to push the bait out, your bait slowly jiggles to the sinker......
Wairoa Hawkesbay
Take Nothing For Granted
Re: Experimenting
Posted by Hangler on 12/8/2013, 1:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Experimenting"
Race, I believe the concept of what you are trying to achieve holds merit, however, it also holds a huge drawback.
Not all fish when taking a bait swim away from the shore, several will swim in toward the beach. If the trace is secured to, or through, the weight, as with a standard running trace, or a similar style rig, this take will still register. You will still see the take on the rod tip, or it can also drag the weight toward the shore (not wire grip weights) and give you a characteristic 'slack line' take.
By allowing your trace to move freely back up the line unimpeded, you will not detect a slack line bite, which in turn could cost you many missed fish.
I used to be quite successful in the match fishing scene in the UK. In those days the humble flounder was the main quarry as they were plentiful, sadly not now. With flounder, it wasn't common practice to get a bite that was noticeable on the rod tip, but a slack line take was common and unmistakable.
If you can see this may be an issue for the specie of fish you target, you could always consider putting a stop above the weight, but this would have to be outside of the top eye when casting. I have mentioned many times on this site, I love fishing light, I only use wire grip leads when I absolutely have to. When using a small three ounce sinker (my favourite) it is not uncommon for either a gurnard or a Kahawhai to slack line me. I would miss those takes if the fish could swim happily inshore, sliding the trace up the line without me knowing.
You have the basics of a good idea, but may take a little refining.
Re: Experimenting
Posted by racepics on 12/8/2013, 1:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Experimenting"
on 11/8/2013, 8:05 am
