I've been meaning to write this article for some time now as I first started using this updated version of my semi-fixed running rig around 2019 and it’s now August 2024.
If you've not read the previous article on this lead system then go here first https://thecarpcatcher.co.uk/thecarpcatchers_blog.php?post=229
If you've not read the previous article on this lead system then go here first https://thecarpcatcher.co.uk/thecarpcatchers_blog.php?post=229
Back in 2019 I was fishing Cawcutts lake which is an Embryo fishing syndicate on the outskirts of Cambridge. Some of the swims required a long chuck and to be honest my old version of the semi-fixed running rig with the rubber tube lead attachment really wasn't up to really hard casting. On more than one cast the lead would fly off which led me to start thinking of changing things to ensure the rig would perform with the same rules as before but also take a really hard cast.
So to refresh our memories the basic rules are these (I had to drop rule #3 and add rule #7)
#1, it had to be simple.
#2, it had to be safe and all come apart.
#3,it had to use items I had in my tackle box and not specially made bits.
#4, it had to allow the carp to eject the lead easily yet retain enough tension to hook the fish.
#5, it had to turn into a running rig system once the lead was ejected from the rig.
#6, it should allow the lead to pull free of the running system should the lead snag.
#7, it should be able to immediately dump the lead on pickup if required
Rule #3 was dropped because I had to modify the leads that I use, rule #7 was added because some fisheries require you to immediately dump the lead on pickup.
#1, it had to be simple.
#2, it had to be safe and all come apart.
#3,
#4, it had to allow the carp to eject the lead easily yet retain enough tension to hook the fish.
#5, it had to turn into a running rig system once the lead was ejected from the rig.
#6, it should allow the lead to pull free of the running system should the lead snag.
#7, it should be able to immediately dump the lead on pickup if required
Rule #3 was dropped because I had to modify the leads that I use, rule #7 was added because some fisheries require you to immediately dump the lead on pickup.
img #1
The full system (ready for casting)
img #2 (on eject)
As you can see it now uses a modified inline flat lead, a pendulum lead-clip and a lanyard to connect from the clip to the rig via a hooklink crook swivel (this makes changing rigs etc a lot easier).
Here's the modification to the flat lead.
Take your inline flat lead and snip off the plastic insert tube level with the top of the lead (img #3)
Take your inline flat lead and snip off the plastic insert tube level with the top of the lead (img #3)
img #3
Hold a small screw-hook in a pair of forceps and discolour the zinc coating by heating with a lighter then attach a size 8 ring swivel and close off the screw-hook with a pair of pliers.
Finish by inserting a small drop of glue (I use gorilla glue) down the snipped off insert tube and then fully screwing the screw-hook home, leave to dry for a good 24 hours (img #4).
img #4
Running rig with safe dump on snag, or immediate dumping on pickup.
To accomplish this I use two types of lead-clip, one from ESP (img #5) and one from MCF (img #6). The ESP lead-clip is for the Running rig with safe dump on snag and the MCF lead-clip for immediate dumping on pickup.
The ESP lead-clip uses a peg to secure the clip to the swivel, if the peg is inserted and if the rubber tail is only just pushed on it will dump on pickup, however if I have to immediately dump leads I use the MCF Dumper lead-clip as it’s 100% reliable and to put it simply, it’s designed for that very specific use.
Important point to make here is that in tests lead-clips only work well with leads 2oz and above.
The reason I use the ESP lead-clip and not others is because without the peg it runs freely giving me a lead-clip that's also the ideal running rig (some lead-clips are designed without the peg and automatically secure the swivel in place). Again only just pushing the tail rubber on to the clip (or leaving it out completely) will ensure that the lead will dump if snagged.
To accomplish this I use two types of lead-clip, one from ESP (img #5) and one from MCF (img #6). The ESP lead-clip is for the Running rig with safe dump on snag and the MCF lead-clip for immediate dumping on pickup.
The ESP lead-clip uses a peg to secure the clip to the swivel, if the peg is inserted and if the rubber tail is only just pushed on it will dump on pickup, however if I have to immediately dump leads I use the MCF Dumper lead-clip as it’s 100% reliable and to put it simply, it’s designed for that very specific use.
Important point to make here is that in tests lead-clips only work well with leads 2oz and above.
The reason I use the ESP lead-clip and not others is because without the peg it runs freely giving me a lead-clip that's also the ideal running rig (some lead-clips are designed without the peg and automatically secure the swivel in place). Again only just pushing the tail rubber on to the clip (or leaving it out completely) will ensure that the lead will dump if snagged.
img #5 ESP lead-clip with peg
img #6 MCF dumper clip
To be honest I’m always in two minds about immediately dumping leads if it’s not a requirement on a fishery. I’m acutely aware of the impact that we have on the places we fish and can only imagine how much tackle must lie on the bottom after decades of fishing.
So if I can get a lead back safely then I’ll use the running rig otherwise I immediately dump using the MCF dumper clip.
Nowadays I only use the running rig on runs-waters where I’m expecting more than a few bites and it’s safe to use, however If I’m fishing a difficult water where runs are few I always dump the lead immediately (to be safe and sure).
So if I can get a lead back safely then I’ll use the running rig otherwise I immediately dump using the MCF dumper clip.
Nowadays I only use the running rig on runs-waters where I’m expecting more than a few bites and it’s safe to use, however If I’m fishing a difficult water where runs are few I always dump the lead immediately (to be safe and sure).
Setting the lead system up is fairly straightforward.
Attach your leader to a size 8 swivel and thread on your line clip and rubber tail pulling the swivel home.
Tie a swivel with a hooklink crook to one end of your lanyard (made with leader material).
Attach your leader to a size 8 swivel and thread on your line clip and rubber tail pulling the swivel home.
Tie a swivel with a hooklink crook to one end of your lanyard (made with leader material).
img #7
The Running rig lead-clip.
The Running rig lead-clip.
img #8
The MCF dumper clip and tying off the lanyard
The MCF dumper clip and tying off the lanyard
Stretch out the lead attached to the clip (see img #8) and insert the hooklink crook swivel on the lanyard into the other end of the inline lead.
Then tie off the other end of the lanyard to the swivel in the lead-clip leaving a little slack, this is important as you don’t want to place any tension on the lanyard whilst casting as it’ll pull the hooklink swivel out of the lead. This is the reason for the lead clip as much as anything else, it’ll take the full weight of the lead on casting without pressure on the lanyard and hooklink.
I use a four turn blood-knot for the lanyard knots.
Then tie off the other end of the lanyard to the swivel in the lead-clip leaving a little slack, this is important as you don’t want to place any tension on the lanyard whilst casting as it’ll pull the hooklink swivel out of the lead. This is the reason for the lead clip as much as anything else, it’ll take the full weight of the lead on casting without pressure on the lanyard and hooklink.
I use a four turn blood-knot for the lanyard knots.
The leader material I use
Once again as with many 'ideas' this is not solely mine but incorporates attributes from other setups I and others have used.
You may ask why I have gone to the trouble of coming up with this lead system and the modifications I have made, however it’s quite simple really.
In-line lead systems provide you with a very effective way of fishing the rig straight off the lead, as soon as the hooklink is picked up the lead will immediately come into play pulling the hook home fast, it’s a very effective rig especially on the cleaner harder bottoms of lakes and rivers. I have absolutely no doubt that this rig will always out perform a standard pendulum setup over cleaner harder bottoms
For more information and to see the previous articles and films on this lead system visit https://thecarpcatcher.co.uk/thecarpcatchers_blog.php?post=229
or https://thecarpcatcher.co.uk/thecarpcatchers_blog.php?tag=semi-fixed-running-rig
Ok that’s it for now but if I do think of any improvements i’ll try and get it up quicker next time.
Be lucky, have fun.
Steve Whitby
You may ask why I have gone to the trouble of coming up with this lead system and the modifications I have made, however it’s quite simple really.
In-line lead systems provide you with a very effective way of fishing the rig straight off the lead, as soon as the hooklink is picked up the lead will immediately come into play pulling the hook home fast, it’s a very effective rig especially on the cleaner harder bottoms of lakes and rivers. I have absolutely no doubt that this rig will always out perform a standard pendulum setup over cleaner harder bottoms
For more information and to see the previous articles and films on this lead system visit https://thecarpcatcher.co.uk/thecarpcatchers_blog.php?post=229
or https://thecarpcatcher.co.uk/thecarpcatchers_blog.php?tag=semi-fixed-running-rig
Ok that’s it for now but if I do think of any improvements i’ll try and get it up quicker next time.
Be lucky, have fun.
Steve Whitby