How use a Hair Rig - advice please

[andrew kennedy]

I have started using a hair rig for tench. The lake I fish has good size tench, when I am catching them 4/5 Lbs is the usual, howerver....I AM LOOSING A LOT OF BITS!! Can anyone give me some advice please. I am only fishing 20 or so yards off the bank in light weed, using luncheon meat with a Pop Up peice of seet corn. I'm happy that I have made up the rig correctly, its knowing when to strike and how much slack and length on the bobbin line I should allow. The lake is not fished very much so the fish are quite confident. Perhaps someone knows of a good artictle on the web I could read. Andrew

[Wayneuk]

If it was me i would always fish a slack line as not to spook any fish in the area. I'd also strike at any movement on the bobbin. But if your concerned about when to strike why not fish a fixed or semi fixed bolt rig and then hopefully the fish will hook itself on the weight of the lead or feeder.

[andrew kennedy]

Many thanks for yours. I have been fishing with a tight line from rod tip to ledger weight and the leader 'from the ledger to the hook just 6/8 cms' as my unerstanding is that tench feed in a stationary mode i.e. one needs to know when they have taken UP the bait It would make sense to me to use a method that they might hook themselves.....could you please explain SEMI FIXED BOLT RIG and would be grateful if you could explain exactly how to rig it up. I appreciate you input!! Andrew

[Wayneuk]

ok, the rig i use starting from the hook and working my way back is about a 12" hook length tied to a swivel. Then tie your feeder/lead to a different swivel and thread that onto your main line, then tie your mainline to your hooklenth swivel. Slide your feeder/lead down towards your hooklink to stop at the swivel, then 4-6 inchs up your mainline attach a stop or a shot. That way when the fish picks up your bait the feeder/lead will hit the stop and pull the hook into the fishes mouth.

[Wayneuk]

I should mention aswell that a semi fixed lead has a safety clip where if you were to get snagged or broken off the lead would come away from the mainline so that the fish isnt carrying a lead round.

[andrew kennedy]

Many thanks for yours.....very much appreaciated!! If you have any other advice about fishing within weed for tench I would be please for any advice. Will gear up with your suggestion and start 'anew' on Monday. Andrew

[carphunter11]

this is what i would fish in your situation,
korda 10lb green subline,
green safezone leader, (which will dump the led if it has to)
and for easyness , an IQ ready made rig on a size 8 hook , this may seem a bit big but if you are worried about bites then go a size higher or 2, only up to about october,
and a nice , bright 10mm tutti fruity bottom bait or a pineapple for later in the year , and for summer a strawberry 10mm,
this is my perfect combo for the perfect tench fishing day :)
happy fishing guys