Legering

Legering is a method of fishing that allows you to present a static bait on the bottom of the lake or river. At its simplest, it comprises a length of line with a weight and a hook bait, the weight ensures that the bait remains at the bottom of the lake or river, and also often acts as a self hooking mechanism as the fish take the bait and hook themselves against the weight. The main advantages of the method is that it allows a large area of water to be explored, as it is possible to cast a leger weight a long way from the bank.

It can also be used in conjunction with a feeder, which allows groundbait or loose offerings to be presented around the hookbait, again at a great range where required.

Legering is particularly effective on fast moving waters, where presenting a bait with a float can be difficult. It is also often the method of choice of specimen hunters, who use it in conjunction with bite alarms when a long wait between bites is expected.

In terms of rigs, there are numerous ways of attatching the weight and hooklength, the most effective way depends on the style of fishing you are engaging in. Obviously, there are hundreds of variations, but the main consideration is whether you are trying to create a rig where the fish hook themsleves, or one where sensitivity is a priority so the angler can detect bites and strike.

When creating a rig where the fish hook themselves (commonly known as a bolt rig), the basic principal is that when the fish picks up the bait it hits the weight and hooks itself, therefore the hooklength should be attached at a point below or alongside the weight on the rig. It is important to ensure that all the components of the rig can break away however, otherwise a fish can be left towing around a weight in the event of a breakage, which can eventually become tetherd and lead to death.

When a more sensitive rig is required, the reverse principal applies however, and it is important to ensure that the hooklength is attached to the mainline above the weight, so when a fish picks up the bait it registers by moving the line.

Methods of bite detection when legering vary, the most common is a quiver tip, which is basically a very thin tip, which is attached to the top of the rod and then tightend up to the weight after it has been cast in. A bite will then cause the tip to quiver, or pull round. A more archaic version of the same principal is the swingtip, with is basically the same except it is attached by a piece of silicone tubing, so it hangs down the line and rises when a fish picks up the bait.

Bite alarms are another popular method of bite detection when legering, as is the aptly named ‘touch ledgering’ when an angler literally feels the line and feels for bites.