Quote:
Originally Posted by striper774
I do some bait fishing from shore and was wondering if these rigs that attach the hook to a plastic bumper so everything is all together really allow more distance.
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I have used Breakaway components for many years and yes, properly used they do add significant distance.
Those plastic pieces are called Impact Shields and those rigs are generally known as "Clip Down Rigs". The theory is that the bait rides in the slipstream of the sinker instead of flopping around,twisting and "helicoptering" just dragging distance down.
The easiest rig to use is a Pulley Rig which might, at first glance, resemble a fishfinder / sliding sinker rig but the attachment points are different. Definitely not the same as your egg sinker rig. Once deployed a pulley rig acts like a sliding sinker rig allowing the fish to take the bait and travel a bit before coming up against the sinker.
Here is a diagram I drew of a pulley rig deployed.
My diagram shows the next generation replacement for the Impact Shield called the Imp; it does the same thing, allows the hook and bait to be clipped down just above the sinker when being cast.
Here is a close-up of the Imp.
It has a pivot point to release the hook upon hitting the water instead of relying on the larger surface of the Impact Shield.
I tie all my own rigs and don't use the Impact Shields anymore, it is all Imps except when I use a Breakaway Sinker with the Impact Shield integral in the sinker. These are the best and have the most reliable performance (no early release and no failed release). They fly like a bullet and with Breakaway legs hold incredibly. Unfortunately the sinkers aren't sold in the USA anymore (big $$$ shipping from the UK) and I guard the last few I have.
My favorite structure to bait fish is a cut in a bar and I always like to place a bait outside the mouth of the cut especially if there is a scour hole or an outgoing rip set up. I cut my bait precisely, tie it securely and with a 200 gram weight (7 ounces) it can be cast 450 feet, usually good enough to reach any nearshore rip or other soft structure.
I do Bunker the same way and can get good distance (not as far as the clam foot).
I buy the Imps from Breakaway Tackle in the UK along with other "bits and bobs" for distance fishing.
These are Gemini clips that do the same sinker-snap/bait-clip thing without any mechanical do-dads . . .
They are great for smaller baits especially worms.
There are many configurations of custom rigs, this one is called an "up-n-over" that allows a true fishfinder / sliding sinker action. This one is a favorite of mine for fluking with a long leader and double hook and strip bait.
Fully deployed:
I even tie a hybrid top-n-bottom pulley rig . . .
Hope that wasn't too much, just offering an overview of what's possible. I can take some pics and post some step by step directions if you want; I have ironed out a lot of kinks and problems over the years.
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