Ledgering - Now a Deadly Method.
Going back a few years I think it's fair to say that ledgering was frowned upon by some anglers. It was regarded by some as chuck and chance it fishing. However ledgering techniques have now been developed to such as extent, that it is now seen as an "equal" method of catching fish to float fishing.
I was talking to a bloke fishing a few months ago. I just forget the exact conversation, but one of his comments was "ho no, I'm not ledgering I'm using a swimfeeder"? To get the terminology right, if the line from the rod goes down to a swimfeeder or a ledger, then it is classed as ledgering.
Types of Ledgers and Swimfeeders.
There are a number of different weights you can use when ledgering. They come in different shapes and sizes, but the ones listed below give you the main types.
Arlesey Bomb.
The most common type of ledger. It gets its name from Richard Walker who developed it for use on Arlesey Lake. Older anglers still refer to it as a "bomb", others just call it a "ledger" or "weight".
It's available in sizes from a quarter of an ounce up to several ounces.
It has a swivel at the top, to attach it to the line.
Blockend Swimfeeders.
Also called the "Maggot Feeder"
As the name above says this feeder is used to carry maggots. The black cap is on a hinge, which is opened and the feeder filled with maggots. Make sure you put your hook bait on first before you fill the feeder, or by the time you have messed about with the hook bait, all the maggots will have had time to crawl out of the feeder.
Once it lands on the bottom of the pool, the maggots crawl out the the holes in the feeder, near your hook bait and attract fish.
The feeder is attached to the line by means of a swivel or some have a small ring. In either case the line is simply threaded through.
Open End Swimfeeder.
This feeder gets its name from the fact that it's open at both ends, it is in fact a tube.
It is used to carry groundbait. The groundbait is packed into the tube and the feeder cast out. Maggots, corn etc., can be carried by the feeder but they must be mixed in with the groundbait, which holds them in the feeder during the cast.
Again the feeder is attached to the line by a swivel.
The swimfeeder on the right is still an open end feeder, but is known as a "cage feeder". You only have to look at it to see how it gets its name.
The principle is exactly the same as the green open end feeder shown above. However because the "cage feeder" is more open, it lets groundbait out of the sides.
As a guide I would use the green feeder above if I was using groundbait to carry maggots, or the cage feeder if just using groundbait or groundbait and sweetcorn etc.
Method Feeder.
With the method feeder groundbait is compacted around the feeder. The hook bait is either pushed into the grounbait as well or left loose as normal. Free offerings or other baits can also be pushed into the groundbait.
The feeder gets it's name from the fact it was first developed by carp anglers. The method was so good at catching carp, it be came known as "the method". Like a lot of things that catch fish, it is now banned on many waters.
Setting Up a Ledger Rig.
The above drawing shows how to set up a ledger rig.
The feeder or ledger is first placed on the reel line by simply threading the line through the swivel. I then put a plastic bead on the reel line and tie the line to another swivel which joins the line on the reel to the hook length. To tie the reel line and the hook length to the swivel I recommend the "Palomar" or "Grinner" knots (for details see the "Knots Page").
The plastic bead helps the hook length sit away from the feeder or ledger, so it helps prevent tangles. It also helps protect the knot that joins the reel line to the hook length swivel, as it stops the swivel belonging to the ledger or feeder rubbing against it.
How long you have the hook length is up to you, but I normally use hook lengths between 8 to 12 inches. It's a case of experience and trying different things as you go along.
Improving the Basic Rig.
The above rig is OK, but what would be nice is if we could change the feeder or ledger during fishing. Without of coarse have to snap everything and start again.
The photo on the right shows a snaplink. The nearest one is closed, the one on the far right open.
All you need to do when first setting up the rig is instead of putting the feeder or ledger on the line at first, put the snaplink on instead. Threading the line through the snaplinks swivel of coarse.
Set up your rig as normal, except that now to attach the bomb or feeder, you open the snap link, attach it to the built in swivel on the feeder or ledger, close the link and away you go. You can now change the feeder or bomb at will.
Common Mistakes.
Please do not tie the ledger or swimfeeder on so it can't move. Also please don,t lock the ledger in place with split shot either side. If your rig it is set up correctly as shown above the swivel that joins the reel line to the hook length will stop the ledger falling down to the hook. The line needs to move through the ledger or snaplink swivel so you can see bites correctly.
Also please bear in mind this. If the line breaks between your ledger or swimfeeder and the reel and your ledger is tied on or locked in place with split shot, then the fish is left pulling your feeder or ledger around and may well die.
If it is set up as above, the line can break anywhere and if the fish is still hooked, it leaves the ledger behind.
In the animation above, the top rig has the lead tied or locked in place on the line. The carp is left pulling the lead around after the line snaps. The carp below is able to leave the lead behind, as there is nothing locking it in place.