HEAVYEAVY LEADS

Plus points

A weight of 4.5oz or more can really drive the hook home when a fish pulls against it. Many of the most successful anglers on wellstocked and pressured venues favour heavy leads and large hooks – not subtle but it certainly works. Obviously, a heavy lead paired with the right rod can also cast a rig much further.

Negatives

Casting big leads requires specialist kit whereas any carp rod will happily cast smaller leads up to 3oz. Anything heavier will require a rod with a 3.5lb test curve. Heavy leads are great at hooking fish but they can work to your disadvantage thereafter. If you don’t discharge the lead lead, then the swinging lump could easily work the hook out of position.