Which feeder line?

[paulfish_1]

What main line are you guys n gals using for feeders? I'm fishing on a fairly large Stillwater for roach. Using a small cage feeder most of the time. Using 5lb maxima at the moment. You think it would be beneficial for me to switch to braid? Lack of stretch n all that?

Cheers
Paul

 

[robtherake]

Much depends on the rod you're using, which should be a fairly soft one, what with roach being so adept at rolling themselves off a tight line. If it were permitted I'd be using braid for the roach fishing on my local pool, with the heli-rigs that I'm using.

 

[paulfish_1]

Much depends on the rod you're using, which should be a fairly soft one, what with roach being so adept at rolling themselves off a tight line. If it were permitted I'd be using braid for the roach fishing on my local pool, with the heli-rigs that I'm using.

I'm using a very light (and old) sundridge 9'6" feeder rod. Happy with the set up and tips for bite detection. Maybe I'm over thinking it. I use braid for all my pike and salmon fishing and I know the advantages. Was just curious if these would be worthwhile for roach. Bear in mind I am not a match fisherman. Just pottering about for roach in the hope of a big one.

What do you mean "rolling off a tight line"??

 

[rayner]

If you're happy with bite detection why do you need braid, braid accentuates the bites.
Main line I use for roach is 3lb to .12 or .10 hook length.

 

[robtherake]

I'm using a very light (and old) sundridge 9'6" feeder rod. Happy with the set up and tips for bite detection. Maybe I'm over thinking it. I use braid for all my pike and salmon fishing and I know the advantages. Was just curious if these would be worthwhile for roach. Bear in mind I am not a match fisherman. Just pottering about for roach in the hope of a big one.

What do you mean "rolling off a tight line"??

A hooked roach will often surface immediately and flap on the surface, where they find it infuriatingly easy to divest themselves of a small hook. The only way I've managed to prevent it has been to use a light and soft-actioned rod in combination with a very lightly-set clutch. Even set up in this way I'm still losing too many and it would make sense, I think, to find an even lighter-actioned float rod (perhaps with a long tip action, rather than progressive) than the old Drennan waggler rod that I currently employ. Similarly, my leger rod is a 0.5lb test Fox Specialist.

I'm experimenting with heli-rigs and short hooklengths, which seems to need a fairly tight line to ensure the rig works properly, relying on the tension to pull the hook in. If there's any slack; if the rubber stops slip or if the hook's not razor sharp, the rig is useless and they're away before you can pick the rod up. I'm pretty sure that braid would improve the set-up further, but I'm not allowed to use it on this particular water. I'm using larger hooks than I'd usually use on the float - fine wire 14s - which usually result in a stronger hookhold.

 

[paulfish_1]

A hooked roach will often surface immediately and flap on the surface, where they find it infuriatingly easy to divest themselves of a small hook. The only way I've managed to prevent it has been to use a light and soft-actioned rod in combination with a very lightly-set clutch. Even set up in this way I'm still losing too many and it would make sense, I think, to find an even lighter-actioned float rod (perhaps with a long tip action, rather than progressive) than the old Drennan waggler rod that I currently employ. Similarly, my leger rod is a 0.5lb test Fox Specialist.



I'm experimenting with heli-rigs and short hooklengths, which seems to need a fairly tight line to ensure the rig works properly, relying on the tension to pull the hook in. If there's any slack; if the rubber stops slip or if the hook's not razor sharp, the rig is useless and they're away before you can pick the rod up. I'm pretty sure that braid would improve the set-up further, but I'm not allowed to use it on this particular water. I'm using larger hooks than I'd usually use on the float - fine wire 14s - which usually result in a stronger hookhold.

This is very interesting thanks. I've been using the korum heli rigs with short hook lengths and size 18s. I was kinda thinking my hook up rate would be better with braid.
I think I might give it a try and see if there's a difference.
I have found the better fish come to the feeder as oppose to waggler? Do you find this too?

Cheers
Paul

 

[robtherake]

This is very interesting thanks. I've been using the korum heli rigs with short hook lengths and size 18s. I was kinda thinking my hook up rate would be better with braid.
I think I might give it a try and see if there's a difference.
I have found the better fish come to the feeder as oppose to waggler? Do you find this too?

Cheers
Paul

I've yet to contact the bigger roach with the maggot feeder heli-rig (a groundbait or pellet approach encourages the carp to gatecrash the party, so that's out) but the tiddlers have been conspicuous by their absence, so I'm hopeful. It's early days, though, with just a few previous sessions to go on, so I'm still at the bottom of the learning curve. I've had a few of the bigger roach on the float, where a sprayed maggot approach eventually fed off the small fish and alllowed the bait to get through. Cormorants have thinned out the tiddlers, though, so that approach no longer works as well.

 

[mikench]

I plan to use the Robtherake Heli rig method tomorrow with a small maggot feeder and maggot on the hook. I am extremely confident that it will be entirely successful my hook length will be fluorocarbon with a size 16 or 18 hook.

 

[nova12]

Id would never use braid for roach if only fishing for roach but your hitting clip alot id use 6lb daiwa sensor (my favourite line) sits amazing on the reel and 4lb hook length of GURU N Gauge hope this helps id only use braid if your casting big distances 80yrd etc.

 

[Philip]

A hooked roach will often surface immediately and flap on the surface, where they find it infuriatingly easy to divest themselves of a small hook. The only way I've managed to prevent it has been to use a light and soft-actioned rod in combination with a very lightly-set clutch. Even set up in this way I'm still losing too many and it would make sense, I think, to find an even lighter-actioned float rod

Try bringing them in with the rod low to one side , it usually keeps them deeper and they tend to plane in the same level of water rather than surface immediately. Only raise the rod when your actually about to net them if you can

...something to try anyway..

 

[binka]

What main line are you guys n gals using for feeders? I'm fishing on a fairly large Stillwater for roach. Using a small cage feeder most of the time. Using 5lb maxima at the moment. You think it would be beneficial for me to switch to braid? Lack of stretch n all that?

Cheers
Paul

In all fairness Paul, Maxima would be the last line I would use for any type of tip fishing, it's far too stretchy imo.

With the exception of distance fishing I also dislike braid as I find it accentuates half-hearted plucks too much and my efforts resulted in me striking the water to a foam trying to hit what appeared to be positive bites.

I reckon low stretch monos are the way to go in terms of a happy medium, Browning used to do a very good one which I'm still using on one of my reels in 6lb strength from around four years ago so it might be worth checking out their current range, if it's anything near as focused it will be a good tip line.

 

[Philip]

i just recently bought a spool of Drennen method/feeder line. Not used it much yet but will report back.

First & foremost i want a feeder line to sink. I wish more manufacturers would state this basic property (float or sink) on thier spools which the Drennen line does.

 

[shane99]

You cant really go wrong Maxima for feeder work.