Whats makes a bomb rod a bomb rod

[Peter Jacobs]

Peter Jacobs.......As a matter of interest, what reel do you favour with your IM 8? I'm pretty sure we have similar rods, buts such is the finesse of the rod I'm wondering if I need a smaller/lighter f/s reel?
From memory I think the rod states a max of 3lb line, although I would favour 4lb bs TBH. No real weight at the business end if only using a small Drennan maggot feeder for example, but 4lb would make me a little more confident............

I only use my Shimano Stradic 2500's on that rod as I find anything heavier upsets the balance of the rod and it feels butt-heavy.

For roach fishing I opt for 3lb B/S mono main line and 2½lb B/S hook lengths, or finer, and have never had any problems even with the occasional chub who fancy my bread or maggot offerings.

 

[robtherake]

I've over-lined mine with up to a 5lb line, though whether there's any real benefit save peace of mind is debatable. That said, it's surprising how effective the rod's action is at subduing a stubborn fish and you can pull surprisingly hard, considering what a delicate thing it is.

On the few times that it sees use it carries a 50s Mitchell 308, which suits it perfectly.

 

[Tee-Cee]

John Step.....I cannot quite visualise your 'end' rig...I note that robtherake is suggesting a helicopter rig with very short hook lengths for his roach fishing which seems to wok for him, so I'm wondering why your rig ends up spinning................


ps This may well need another thread to discuss end rigs specifically for roach and what works every time without tangles. I shall have read of Peter Stones book 'Stillwater Angling' as he shows rigs, albeit out of date by todays standards, that worked very well with lead and small maggot feeders for very big roach..........

An interesting subject, nonetheless...............

 

[robtherake]

John Step.....I cannot quite visualise your 'end' rig...I note that robtherake is suggesting a helicopter rig with very short hook lengths for his roach fishing which seems to wok for him, so I'm wondering why your rig ends up spinning................


ps This may well need another thread to discuss end rigs specifically for roach and what works every time without tangles. I shall have read of Peter Stones book 'Stillwater Angling' as he shows rigs, albeit out of date by todays standards, that worked very well with lead and small maggot feeders for very big roach..........

An interesting subject, nonetheless...............

Right guy, but wrong book. It's "Gravel Pit Angling", which is where I first saw the technique. The rig in this link is virtually identical to the one I'm currently using:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=h...=jCszWJr0EaWdgAbM1rzgDQ#imgrc=JPwXfxrwqYKB8M:

Edit: I see that some very successful roach anglers have altered the rig slightly by replacing the rubber stops with little weights that also pin down the mainline directly beneath the hooklink: http://gardnertackle.co.uk/2014/02/helicopter-rigs-roach-rudd-alan-stagg/

 

[Tee-Cee]

Yes, of course you're correct on the book.....

Looks to be a very neat flexible set-up and I shall give it a good workout, ASAP!

Thanks for the info Rob....much appreciated!

 

[iain t]

Am surprised no one has mentioned an Avon rod as a bomb rod. I use mine for river fishing for Chub to Stillwater Rudd fishing. For smaller fish, i use a 1/2oz screw in a tip with up to a 3/4oz weight or a small feeder. With the though action of my 11ft 1.12lb rod i find it very good for bomb style fishing. I can see/feel every little knock.

The naming of rods can be very confusing. Just because it has for example Carp in it's title doesn't mean you can only use it for Carp fishing. Same goes for Bomb rods, i have seen videos Youtube where Bomb rods were used for other styles of fishing.

 

[robtherake]

Rather than use a quivertip rod, I've used a Fox Duo-lite specialist rod with mini-baitrunner. A Polaris butt-indicator provides visual indication and by winding it quite tight it shows up drop-backs really well. I'm thinking that the tight line enhances the bolt effect - bites are really quite savage!

 

[Philip]

Right guy, but wrong book. It's "Gravel Pit Angling", which is where I first saw the technique. The rig in this link is virtually identical to the one I'm currently using:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=h...=jCszWJr0EaWdgAbM1rzgDQ#imgrc=JPwXfxrwqYKB8M:

Edit: I see that some very successful roach anglers have altered the rig slightly by replacing the rubber stops with little weights that also pin down the mainline directly beneath the hooklink: Helicopter rigs for Roach & Rudd by Alan Stagg - Gardner Tackle

Hi Rob interested in your opinion. I was always put off using these sort of smaller species helicopter rigs where the hooklength is basically held by sliding float stops as my concern was that should I hook a better fish that pulls back the hooklink is going to slide the bottom float stop down the line under tension to the feeder at the bottom and then jolt to a stop.

I really didnt like the idea of anything sliding up and down the line like that as I am playing a fish if you see what I mean so have been put off them. Perhaps I have it all mixed up.

Anyway ..interested in your & others thoughts.

 

[binka]

Hi Rob interested in your opinion. I was always put off using these sort of smaller species helicopter rigs where the hooklength is basically held by sliding float stops as my concern was that should I hook a better fish that pulls back the hooklink is going to slide the bottom float stop down the line under tension to the feeder at the bottom and then jolt to a stop.

I really didnt like the idea of anything sliding up and down the line like that as I am playing a fish if you see what I mean so have been put off them. Perhaps I have it all mixed up.

Anyway ..interested in your & others thoughts.

I was always of the same frame of mind, preferring to tie my own heli rigs with a swivel as a lower stop.

I tried the Korum complete rig thingies that you slide off the hair all in one go and they've been great, I've had some rogue carp into lower double figures and for some reason the sleeves just don't seem to budge in my experience.

 

[robtherake]

I'll echo that - as long as the stops are a reasonably tight fit on the line there isn't any slippage. The Drennan Grippa stops need a little lubrication before moving them (on 6lb main line) and seem perfect for the job. The helicopter swivel is one of these: 30pcs Ball Bearing Swivel Solid Rings quick fast link connector Fishing Hook | eBay

 

[sagalout]

What size of those swivels do you use Rob?

To stop the stops slipping could you sleeve from the bottom stop to the feeder?

 

[robtherake]

What size of those swivels do you use Rob?

To stop the stops slipping could you sleeve from the bottom stop to the feeder?

I bought the ones in the link, thinking that they were a cheaper version of the Cralusso connectors I use for floatfishing. They're a bit big for that job, but seem perfect for heli-rigs. The quick-change end looks flimsy but is perfectly secure. I'd guess they're around a size 10.

 

[sagalout]

I bought the ones in the link, thinking that they were a cheaper version of the Cralusso connectors I use for floatfishing. They're a bit big for that job, but seem perfect for heli-rigs. The quick-change end looks flimsy but is perfectly secure. I'd guess they're around a size 10.

I followed the yellow brick road I mean the link and it was to a multiple listing of small, medium or large.

 

[Keith M]

Am surprised no one has mentioned an Avon rod as a bomb rod. I use mine for river fishing for Chub to Stillwater Rudd fishing. For smaller fish, i use a 1/2oz screw in a tip with up to a 3/4oz weight or a small feeder. With the though action of my 11ft 1.12lb rod i find it very good for bomb style fishing. I can see/feel every little knock.

The naming of rods can be very confusing. Just because it has for example Carp in it's title doesn't mean you can only use it for Carp fishing. Same goes for Bomb rods, i have seen videos Youtube where Bomb rods were used for other styles of fishing.

I have several different sizes of rods that I could quite happily call bomb rods; from a small 9ft winkle picker for catching Roach etc. which takes very small SSG link legers and half ounce aresley bombs, through to my 1.5lb/2lb multi tip rod which I use with weights of between a few SSG shot up to around 1.5oz; plus my barbel rod on which I use similar weights. These can all be quite easily classed as a bomb rods, even though they will all also take feeders. even my winkle picker will take one of those tiny feeders taking only a few maggots.

At a push I could also loosely call my Carp rods 'bomb rods' although they are stretching the definition a little bit too far Lol.

But strictly speaking I would probably call a light-ish leger rod a bomb rod.

Keith

 

[robtherake]

I followed the yellow brick road I mean the link and it was to a multiple listing of small, medium or large.

I'm pretty sure they're the smallest size. The pic shows the rig I'm currently using. The feeder is 35g, not 32g, as I stated earlier.

 

[mikench]

Do I need some of these Rob

 

[robtherake]

Do I need some of these Rob

I bet you do! I've got tons of little items that I "just had to have" but these are genuinely useful. Shame they aren't blued, but they are very cheap.

 

[Tee-Cee]

I have just had a practice run with the set up shown by RTR following a visit to the tackle shop this afternoon to buy bait...

Hopefully tomorrow it will get it's first run out, providing I can find a swim free of leaves.....Grrrrrrr

 

[Philip]

I'll echo that - as long as the stops are a reasonably tight fit on the line there isn't any slippage. The Drennan Grippa stops need a little lubrication before moving them (on 6lb main line) and seem perfect for the job. The helicopter swivel is one of these: 30pcs Ball Bearing Swivel Solid Rings quick fast link connector Fishing Hook | eBay

Not trying to knock the setup Rob (loads of people use it so what do I know) but if the stops are not slipping during the fight and the line breaks above the hooklink wont the fish be tethered to the lead/feeder ?

 

[mikench]

Bought some Rob; you have not been wrong yet! .....and for 99p delivered!