[kermit]

I had an enjoyable session yesterday, but had a very annoying end to the day – so please forgive me for letting off some steam. On the plus side I managed one low double and two 15’s off the surface, so was pleased (one of the 15’s did a great ‘Stingray’ impression when I hooked it and I was attached to a flying carp - quality!).

However, as I was packing up it all went awry. I got a few bleeps and pulls on a bottom bait rod cast about 30 yards. I lifted into the rod and it all went odd, as I was immediately playing a fish in my own margins?!!? I thought I had maybe got tangled up in a fish trailing some gear. However, I was actually attached to a jack pike of about 4Ib that had bitten into my line, or possibly even tried to eat my back-lead.

Knowing that my main line wouldn’t last too long I tried my hardest to get the pike in ASAP. However, I had it right on the edge of the bank when the inevitable happened and it bit through my main line and swam off. I had a poke around with the net handle in the margins for a while to see if I could snare the snapped line, but no luck.

So, I now know that I’ve left a baited rig and about 25m of line in my local pond and I’m absolutely gutted to have done this, even though it was down to a freak incident. I hate the idea of leaving any sort of litter, especially that which could damage fish or wildlife. The rig was a helicopter set up and I’m confident it is as safe as any rig could possibly be and that any fish that gets hooked should end up attached to nothing other than a 5 inch hooklength. However, with 25m of line involved that the rig has to pass along to become free there is always the niggling doubt that the line could get tangled or tethered and the rig may not free itself so I’m not a happy chappy right now.

I know I get annoyed when I hook debris or catch fish trailing rigs. If, anyone should ever hook this bundle of line, or catch a fish trailing anything in this venue then my sincere apologies. It sounds lame - but it really wasn't my fault.

Mike.

I think you havent done anything wrong mate, I wonder how many people crack off and don't give a f**k, you have shown that you really care.
Don't let it upset you mate there was nothing you could do
And if the rig is safe like you said the fish that picks up the bait will be fine

[fatboyslim]

Originally Posted by amateurblanker

I think you havent done anything wrong mate, I wonder how many people crack off and don't give a f**k, you have shown that you really care.
Don't let it upset you mate there was nothing you could do
And if the rig is safe like you said the fish that picks up the bait will be fine

Well said Paul,

Its unfortunate but these sort off things happen from time to time and there's not a lot we can do about it.

This is why we must make sure our setups are spot on and very safe just in case something like this occurs

[mancity]

Least your rigs safe mate

Its people leaving mahoosive bunldes of line in their swims that really p1ss me off.

And as has been said, these things do happen. your not the first and you'll not be the last.

[Kezzo80]

Originally Posted by mancity

Least your rigs safe mate

Its people leaving mahoosive bunldes of line in their swims that really p1ss me off.

And as has been said, these things do happen. your not the first and you'll not be the last.

Mate of mine lost a fish on a tree stump last year in France. When he waded out the 120 or so yards to retrive his end tackle (as he didnt want 100+ yards of line in the swim), there were 2 carp tethered to the stump plus 50 (yes 50) or so rigs, leads, leaders, tubing etc.

Just goes to show the importance of safe rigs and lead ejection.

[shallowman]

I have had the same problems with pike using backleads on crime lake.
In one session I had 5 runs off the buggers! I'm convinced they pick up the backleads, although why, I don't know, but they do!

In your case, it's happened and you must be commended to report it on a forum such as this. Hopefully younger or in-experienced anglers will read this and the fact that you were so worried about leaving line and a baited rig out there will actually 'go in to' their mindset. It depends how you look at things, but every cloud has it's silver lining.


shallowman

[TEZZA]

i had the exact same thing thing happen to me last week, luckly the little sh!t didn't manage to cut me off.

[scotty]

weve all ad simular instances mate...i wouldnt dwell to much on it as you say if the rigs safe they can get rid of them in know time at all..

Originally Posted by Kezzo80

there were 2 carp tethered to the stump .

things like that make you wonder about fish that havent made an appearance for a while that they have been tethered...

[Bl4cky]

Originally Posted by amateurblanker

things like that make you wonder about fish that havent made an appearance for a while that they have been tethered...

very true.

you can't help it if stuff like that happens kermit mate. poo happens but if your rigs are sound it'll be ok. i wouldn't beat yourself up about it as these thing happen up and down the country every day.

[russ]

ive had similar things happen to me and in a situation like that theres absolutely nothing you can do
its just one of those things !

[zippy]

nice to see such a concerning angler

[MancCarper]

good to see so many ppl care about this .. i had a similar thing happen on a local lake where a back lead got stuck on the bottom on a rock or whatever it was and it just cut my line only i did manage to get the lot back ..

[russ]

Originally Posted by zippy

nice to see such a concerning angler

totally agree m8 !

[kermit]

Cheers for the replies guys. As you have said, one to put down to experience!

I am slightly shocked that pike seem to be quite keen on eating backleads in various lakes though. The only (far fetched!) explanation I can come up with, other than curiousity, is that surface ripples cause your line to vibrate slightly, these vibrations are transmitted to the back lead and the pike senses this and thinks it is food?

Plausible or utter rubbish - what do you reckon?

Mike.