which indicators?

[Arffer Roach]

hi,

I'm going to be fishing for large tench and bream in april, using feeders on 4 rods between 40 and 80yds with 1 3/4 tc rods. its a 100acre water, rather exposed and can cut up rough at times. but as I have not used butt indicators much I need to find out the most suitable/versatile ones, be they swingers, hangers, monkey climbers or whatever.

they dont need to light up or do anything fancy, I like to keep things simple, but I am interested in what attributes/advantages the various types have.

I would appreciate any advice on counter ballance weights, release clips etc

[stuart mitchell]

Hi Mate.....i fish a very similar size water for tench and bream also,which cuts up very rough in a wind.....if you use a swinger type indicator this will help as it vastly reduces lateral movment ......however....my personal preferance is to use hangers whenever possible...if you use a flying back lead as well this will help stop movment caused by undertow as more of the line is pinned to bottom, but the best advice is to experiment with two or three different types and find what works best for you on any given day...as for counter balance...always have just enough to keep hanger/swinger from lifting....as always experiment.....one final thing to consider is bank height from the surface of the water as this can have a dramatic effect on which system of indication works best....low bank ...hangers.....high bank swingers....as a genaral rule of thumb....but yet again experiment and you will soon find what suits you best.

[Arffer Roach]

thanks Stuart, that's just the kind of info I was looking for.

the water levels vary by about 10ft or so from summer to winter so at times the rods will be up on a high bank, so a swing arm would be better then. incidently, why do you prefer hangers when conditions suit?

I've never used monkey climbers but I'm guessing that they are pretty stable in wind, but would they be as sensitive?

also what type of release clip? ball clip, line gate or other?

[Mark Reid 5]

I do the same kind of thing, i used the fox swingers before, but have changed over to the Defiant MPS LG Banshee, i have the light weight bodies and you can use the solar weights to add some extra weight if it gets windy.

[Ray Daywalker Clarke]

Hi Arffer,

I like many other's on FM fish the same kind of waters.

I used to use Solar hangers but have gone over to Matrix.

Matrix hangers come in two sizes, Hot Head hangers, these are the large size, or Dinky Hot Head hangers, I use the Dinky hot heads myself.

You can use solar add on weights or the Matrix weights, plus you can get different length chains or Areo cord, this you can cut to length.

I use the dinky hangers with cut down areo cord, and have found that I don't get problems from the weather.

Have a look at the Matrix web site, www.matrixinnovations. or look on the Johnson Ross Tackle web site, they make Matrix.

Good luck.