Sidewinder bite indicator

slime monster · #1 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 18:55

I was so impressed watching an old retired angler using a Sidewinder on our deep club waters,he was in a parrot cage swim feeder fishing in 20 odd feet of water where a swing tip would not be much use due to the angle of the line ,quiver tips are pulled downwards for the same reason.
He put together a good net of fish in a howling gale and the next day I ordered one ,have any of you guys used one..thanks

Stealph Viper · #2 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 19:02

I use to use one years ago Slime, Before i taught myself how to use a Quiver Tip.

They are really good for fishing in tight swims, or if it is quite windy as you have the rod facing straight out in front of you instead of to the side.
I haven't used one for a good few years now though.

Are these the ones you mean ?

Sidewinder Bite Indicator - Review

Mark Hewitt · #3 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 19:09

Dad has one, and catches just as little with it, as all other methods............

So I guess they must work!

Skoda · #4 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 19:11

Slime

I have used a sidewinder for feeder fishing ever since I was blown off L. Iniscarra in an Irish gale ten years ago. I find they’re excellent in all conditions, particularly windy ones. The indicators are much closer to you and therefore easier to see small bites especially if you’re ‘getting on’ a bit. The new ones are taped to the rod with electrical tape whereas the older version had a clip and therefore less versatile. Tip fishing is great but not always possible, I can’t think of a situation when a sidewinder couldn’t be used.

Andy

slime monster · #5 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 19:20

Steph thanks for link ,I did not know there was a clipped type the one I saw was taped to the rod .

Stealph Viper · #6 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 19:34

I would assume it was taped just as a more permenant housing for the Side Winder attachment, but if you want to use your Rod for other Applications, then the Clip is more favourable.

I think you may be talking about the Polaris sidewinder.

Ultra Floats : For the Polaris range of leger floats, ultra sensitive bite detection to suit just about every situation - still water, running water, specimen fishing. We have it covered

I went from using the old Swing Tip to using a Side Winder, before, teaching myself how to fish with a Quiver Tip.

I miss fishing with a Swing Tip, but, i don't miss the Tangles around the Rod End ............

---------- Post added at 18:34 ---------- Previous post was at 18:25 ----------

What rod are you thinking of using it on ?

I think i used to use it on an old Shakespeare Leger Rod i had, you know the ones that had the Screw Thread in the end of the rod for attaching swing tips and screw in quiver tips.
Well i do know that the rod was Red

Rodney Wrestt · #7 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 20:54

I have a Polaris Sidewinder (MKII version), I think they're excellent for when the weather is too windy for standard presentations. You sink the rod top to get all the line under the surface and as others have said the indicator being closer to the rod but means it can be sheltered too and it's easier to spot bites.

One other thing, the MKII attachment is fitted on the rod and slid down towards the rod butt and it grips as the rod diameter increases.

The only problem I see is the pig tail line guides, as the review in Stealph's first link stated, a gate would be a better option........ I wonder where I'd get some?