get that RTR.
Im thinking Lob tails for Perch to avoid deep hooking - but are you coming from a match angle ?
I found a useful technique for banding worms using bigger hooks and a bigger, thicker band, again on a short hair. The worm is pierced by a fine baiting needle from saddle to mouth, then the band is hooked and stretched on the baiting needle and the bait slid up the band until the end of the tight band emerges at the saddle. Carefully turning the baiting needle to release the band allows it to return to its normal size and shape inside the worm's head, pinning it to the back of the hook. This leaves all the hook exposed and as a bonus the worms seem to find it difficult to reimpale themselves and mask the point. I see no reason why smaller pieces can't be banded in the normal way, though, and you may get away with using a smaller hook than usual, given that it's fully exposed. Give it a try.
The banded maggot trick isn't my own idea, but it works a treat. I was using a fairly fine hooklink on match-style gear, and it is a matchman's technique, but one that obviously has wider applications. There aren't many baits that you can't band - bacon rind is another great banded bait, one that's hard to hook but easy to band. Next time you're in the supermarket, pass your eyes across the displays of deli-display packeted snacks and you'll not believe how many potential new baits reveal themselves. Fridge Raiders are brilliant.:thumbs:
---------- Post added at 20:36 ---------- Previous post was at 20:26 ----------
I cannot get my head round that Rob!
It's just a mini hair rig with a band on the end of the hair. You simply open the band up as usual with a banding tool and gently squeeze the maggot to plump and immobilise it, then push it into the band. It looks clumsy and you'd think having the hook fully exposed would put the fish off, but bites are very positive. It's a winner on those days when almost every cast results in a missed bite and burst maggot.