FISHING RIG GUIDE | SAFE PIKE LEGER RIG

While it’s always nice to watch a float, there are lots of days when legering is a much more efficient way of deadbaiting for pike.

Perhaps the fish can only be caught at range, or the wind is so bad that floats are difficult to see. Even fishing several swims with very different depths can mean that legering is the better option.

Whatever the reason, using strong tackle that enables the hooks to be straightened before the line breaks is a must, especially in snaggy swims.

Another important consideration is to protect the line above the leger weight. Often because of the weight of the bait, the trace will land in a coiled heap above the weight, which can lead to pike picking up the line in their mouths with the risk of a bite-off.

To combat this, an uptrace above the weight should be incorporated into the rig. An uptrace is simple to create, and can even be bought ready-made if you prefer. Combining strong line, wire and an uptrace will ensure that your rigs are safe and enable you to enjoy trouble-free piking.

1. A 90cm length of wire makes the uptrace. Heat the last 3cm until it glows orange-hot, making it easier to twist

2. Bend the last 3cm over 180° and thread through swivel. Pass through the loop to lock the wire in place

3. Use a Twiddlin’ Stick through the eye of the swivel to form tight turns in the wire, locking it in position

4. The finished wire twist should look like this. Alternatively, you could crimp the wire in place

5. Thread a Swivel Cover on to the wire and pull it over the end of the swivel. This helps to prevent tangles

6. Thread an XL Buffer Bead on to the end of the wire, with the bulbous end pointing downwards to the free end

7. Attach Cross-lock Swivel to the wire via the Twiddlin’ method. Pull the XL Buffer Bead on to the swivel

8. Attach Flat Pear Lead to an XL Run Ring and slide ring on to the uptrace. The ring should clear uptrace swivel

9. Attach a two-hook semi-barbless trace of your chosen hook size to the Cross-lock Swivel on the uptrace

10. Tie the swivel on the top of the uptrace to the mainline braid using a doubled-over four-turn grinner knot