Ledger rig for Pike

maver man · #1 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 18:41

Hi guys,
I'm looking to go pike fishing this winter on the Severn and Avon and am looking for a simple ledger rig for dead bait can any one recommend me one?

Regards,
Adam.

Dave Smith · #2 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 18:49

lead, bead, swivel, trace.

no need to over complicate, I might put the lead on a leger stem, or on a run ring but apart from that... simples.

captain carrott · #3 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 22:04

big heavy lead, heavier the better.

large bore run ring. bead, swivel, trace tis this simple. balance the bait runner so line is pulled off by the flow then tighten it up a couple of clicks.

geoffmaynard · #4 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 23:12

Fish with someone who has experience in unhooking pike too. Everyone needs lessons with this fish - they are a bit more complicated than carp but don't let that put you off.

maver man · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 10:42

Cheers everyone.

Yes i know Geoff i have caught pike in the past and have unhooked them the correct way and not been injured.

Do you think you could use a safety rig but instead of a hair a pike trace for dead bait?

Adam.

Coxy · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 11:43

You don't need to Adam,
use a weak running ledger link either in the form of a pop up ledger stem, a weak ledger link of lesser breaking strain mono than your main line (6-10lb) or you can attach your lead with a weak snap link (not the cross lock type) or even a paper clip which will unfold under pressure if you get snagged up.

Les Clark · #7 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 11:51

Maver Man , are you asking about the safety rig as in carp fishing : tethered carp lead breaks away , carp safe ? If so the answer is a big NO NO , if you think about it , that would mean the pike "safe " but with a trace and trebles in its jaws , not good .
If you are fishing snagy waters , you need to use something like the float paternoster rig , with a rotten ( 5 lb) line to your lead , so if the lead snags , it will break away , leaving the pike still on the end of your setup.
Google P.A.C. of GT Britain ,you will find a few rigs that you can use , as I`m not to good as explaining what I mean .

---------- Post added at 11:51 ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 ----------

Cheer`s Coxy , you explained it far better that I could .

Steve Spiller · #8 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 12:08

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a drop-off arm/indicator?

Nowadays this is a must for me, luckily for me some FM'ers convinced me to use them a few years ago when ledgering. I wasn't convinced until one day my stem got tanglelled on the cast but I didn't know it. If the pike moved away from me it would be fine, but if it moved towards me I wouldn't get an indication. On this occasion the arm 'dropped off' with the line still in it, the pike had picked up my bait and lead and moved towards me. I was straight on it and the pike was hooked properly. If I was just on the baitrunner the pike could have ended up deep hooked because I might not have noticed it.

I use the Fox arms with the sliding weight on the arm, you can move it along to allow for the flow on the river.

Good luck and tightlines.

maver man · #9 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 12:36

Thanks all.

Sorry if that last question raised a few eyebrows but it was just and idea and by the sounds of it, it was a rather bad idea lol.

Dont worry i will use a weaker mono than my main line to attach my lead.

Thanks,
Adam

Rickrod · #10 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 12:43

Have a look on the Pike anglers club of great britain www.pacgb.co.uk lots of good tips on there Maver man