DAI’S SIMPLE HELI RIG FOR ROACH
HELI SET-UP
The great thing about fishing these days is that there’s so much gear that’s ready to use from the pack. I’m a huge fan of the Korum Ready Heli Kit that allows me to set up my heli rig in seconds.
The kit is slid straight on to the mainline and comprises two rig stops and beads either side of a rotating quick-change link which I use to attach my hooklink to. This is covered with an anti-tangle sleeve to help kick the hooklink away from the mainline.
MAINLINE
Casting heavy feeders puts quite a lot of stress on the mainline so I like to use a robust line such as Korum Xpert Reel Line or Gardner hydroFLO in 6lb breaking strain.
DISTANCE
By moving the rig stops up or down the line the distance between the hooklink and the feeder can be varied.
I start with it about 6ins away, and if bites are not forthcoming I will move it further away on one rod and closer on the other.
On some days the fish will show a distinct preference for one or the other but on other days it appears to make little or no difference.
SHORT HOOKLINK
This rig works best with short hooklinks of no more than 3ins.
Over the years I’ve tried many different lines and have found Preston Reflo to be the best.
I generally start with 0.13mm Reflo (4lb 12oz) as I have found this to be a good compromise between fine presentation and strength.
On occasion I will drop to 0.11mm Reflo, particularly in clear, shallow water and in bright, sunny conditions.
I used to tie my own hooklinks but nowadays I use Preston PR 355 hooks to nylon, in size 16 and 18, using a loop tyer to shorten the line to just 3ins.
It is then a simple matter of threading on a rig sleeve and attaching the hooklink to the quick-change bead.
FEEDER LINK
My swimfeeder is attached via an Avid Quick Change link tied to the end of the mainline.
I like to use a quick change clip for two reasons – it enables me to change the feeder easily and the feeder can be removed at the end of the session, which makes it easier to pack the rods away still set up.
HOOKBAITS
My number one choice is maggots. I like to use a mixture of red and white maggots and invariably start of with one of each on a size 16 hook.
If bites are not forthcoming I will try just red or white maggots and in really cold weather it’s even worth trying a single maggot on a size 18.
I never go below a size 18 as big roach are strong fighters that jag around a lot and I feel that a smaller hook increases the likelihood of a hook pull.
I’d rather hook fewer fish but have a better chance of landing them.
FEEDER SIZE
The rig is best fished with a fairly heavy feeder to maximise the self-hooking properties of the rig and I use 50g Preston Quickload feeders in both medium and large sizes.
FEEDING
In many waters, big roach are thin on the ground so it is important not to overfeed them, or you can ruin your chances of a bite.
I usually only introduce bait in the swimfeeder and am wary of recasting too often and putting a lot of bait into my swim.
I want any roach present to pick up my hookbaits rather than fill up on free offerings, so typically I’ll only recast every two hours or so.
The beauty of this rig is that it very rarely tangles ,so you can be almost certain it is fishing effectively for that length of time.