What is a Helicopter Rig?
A Helicopter rig, also known as a Heli Rig or Rotary Rig, gets its name from the fact that the hook length is attached to the mainline in such a way that it is free to spin around the mainline without tangling.
Helicopter rigs are most effective when fishing on waters with a silt or weed waterbed.
The hook length is attached to the mainline using a swivel, the swivel is then held in place by beads on either side of it. The spacing of the beads can be adjusted giving the hook length freedom to, not only spin, but also move up the mainline.
Allowing the hook length the freedom to move up the mainline means that fishing a waterbed that is covered in silt is easier. The lead or feeder will sink in the silt but the hook length will remain above the silt of weeds, keeping your bait presented rather than it sinking in the silt.
Another benefit of using the Helicopter rig is that bites are very noticeable as the feeder causes a “bolt” effect, causing a significant pull on the line
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Hair Rig your Worms
Tench love worms, but worms have a tendency of wriggling off a barbless hook. The Hair Rig allows you to present a tasty worm and not have it wriggle off your hook.
Tench, like Carp, cruise around the waterbed slowly. They suck up food, sort it in the back of their mouth and flush out anything that isn’t food, such as leaves, twigs and other debris on the waterbed.
When a Tech sucks up your baited hook it will feel the hook and flush it out as it would do if it were a twig.
Using a Hair Rig means that the Tench will swallow the worm, not feeling the hook.
The Hair Rig is best placed through the thicker middle section of the worm, as this secures it more effectively.
You could also use some scissors to snip the end off the worm which will help to release essence in the water to attract the fish.
Go Big on the Oval Maggot Feeder
You want to be attracting the bigger fish to your swim, a standard maggot feeder would be a great choice if fishing for the specimen Roach; but for Tench, go big on the oval feeder and load it with mixed maggots and chopped worm.
Get your Hook close to the Feeder
But not too close! The hook length should stop just above the feeder, get too it too close and there’s a very good chance that you’ll get in to a tangle when casting. Having said that, don’t go to short either, you want your hook close to the feeder bait, but not so close that it could hook the feeder by mistake.
Don’t go Fine on your Hook Length
Using a line with a higher diameter will help prevent tangles; but remember to ensure that the hook length has a lower breaking strain than the mainline.
12 Turn Whipping Knot in the Hook Eye
Presentation is key when fishing for fish such as Tench and Carp. Using an eye’d hook and a 12 turn whipping knot will present the hook in a very favourable angle. Should a fish take your bait, then this method will increase the chances of your hook being affective.
Lose the Weight on Deep Silt
The helicopter rig is one of those that are more suited to fishing on a silt waterbed. If the waterbed is covered in deep silt then go light with the feeder, even removing the weight completely if necessary. This may mean that you can’t cast as far, but have a feeder sink too deep in silt can severely affect the bite response you’ll get.
Quickstop Hair Rig
- Thread a quickstop on to the end of the hook length.
- Tie a small, double loop, around the quickstop.
- Thread an eyed hook on to the line.
- Tie a whip the tag end of the line around the hook 12 times.
- Thread the tag end of the line through the back of the hook eye, and then through the front.
Basic Helicopter Rig for Tench
Things you’ll need:
- For the hook length, cut off approximately 20cm of Powerline.
- Tie on an eyed hook using a 12-turn whipping knot with a quickstop hair rig, as mentioned previously.
- Thread a Helicopter Rig Sleeve on the line with the tapered end towards the hook.
- Using a grinner knot, tie one of the smallest swivels on to the end of the line and then cover the swivel eye with the sleeve you previously put on the line.
- Thread a line-stop on to the mainline. Remember; the mainline should be heavier than the hook length to avoid a breakage that could lead to the feeder remaining attached to a fish.
- Thread the hook length swivel on to the mainline, followed by another line stop, leaving a small gap.
- Add another sleeve to the end of the mainline, with the tapered end away from the end of the line.
- Tie a feeder on to the end of the mainline, using a grinner knot, then cover eye of the feeder with the sleeve.
- Position the line stops and hook length just above the feeder, but not so close that the hook can touch the feeder.