Beads above hook?

Ontario Fishing Forums

Help Support Ontario Fishing Forums:

MATTD

Active Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2013
Messages
36
I see a lot of people using beads which appear to be tied 1-2" above the hook.

Why is this versus closer to the hook?.....and does anyone use this setup when fly fishing?

I am New to this style of fishing and will be visiting in mid October from NS.
 
Beads were actually "desinged" to be used on a fly rod, they were intended to replace the glow bug.

The idea behind this is that when fish are heavily feeding on eggs a glo bug tends to lead to deep hooksets, The bead is placed above the hook so that when a fish eats it the hook can then be set to the corner of the fishes mouth.

Great concept, great tool.
 
I've heard that the hook itself isn't very attractive to fish, which is why beads are so successful compared to other single egg presentations. I keep it an extra few inches above the hook with pretty good results.

inb4 bead snagging debate
 
I place my bead 1.5" or 2" above the hook. beads are hard plastic and if you place it right next to the hook. it would be hard to set the hook.
 
^good call on the inb4 brah.

I fished a 10mm the last few weeks for chinnys and had the diddlers (troutlings 6-8inch b@stards) absolutely smashing it. I was running hook 1inch below bead. First of all, the bead is exactly the size of these guys mouths, dont know whats going on their head about how they are going to swallow it... but.. to the point... every single hook set (dozen+) were ALL clean in the jaw.

Beads + clean fishing for the win. It just works. I think you hit looganville once you get over the 2 inch range though. Personal opinion. I could be wrong but I think there is regulation from the ministry about having naked hooks (and the range a bead has to be to it for it to be a legit rig). Someone might want to pull this up.

And to OP and the guy about fly fishing... beads were introduced on the fly to replace fly eggs, yup. Here is a GREAT read on why beads > egg flies.

http://www.hatchmag.com/articles/5-reasons-beads-are-better-egg-fly-patterns/771963
 
I've been having one heck of a time finding them. I tried Sail, Lebaron, nothing. CT has nothing also. I am in Ottawa so not much here. I saw a bunch that you guys stock on Fisheads but shipping is a bit much for small packages.
 
If you put your bead farther than 2 inches. big possibility to hook them in the eye or gills(from the outside) I'd rather put them 1.5" it may result on poor hooksets but this is going to improve in practice. most residents hit bead even if it's not spawn period.
 
Thanks guys,,,so on a fly rod set up i would have my indicator, then some split shot....then the bead followed by the hook ?
 
Paul1913 said:
I've been having one heck of a time finding them. I tried Sail, Lebaron, nothing. CT has nothing also. I am in Ottawa so not much here. I saw a bunch that you guys stock on Fisheads but shipping is a bit much for small packages.
just go to the dollar store and get the generic arts and crafts beads that are about the same size and in either red, orange or pink. I use them and see no reason to pay a premium because they have trout in the name
 
This technique is deadly here in AK. Regulations state that the bead must be attached 2" above the hook. I have caught countless rainbows and dolly varden using beads and it is a really clean hookset.

I purchase the already painted beads in various sizes but modify some if my desired color prefrerence is in low supply. My go to bead is a tangerine mottled bead with the blood dot in sizes 8mm to 10mm. I have come across this already packaged but it is always hit and miss. So I just purchase just the tangerine mottled beads and use my wifes red nail polish to place the blood dot on it. It works, catches the rainbows with reckless abandonment.

People understand here when you are a guy and buying up nail polish......
 
MATTD said:
Thanks guys,,,so on a fly rod set up i would have my indicator, then some split shot....then the bead followed by the hook ?
Why don't you just convert to float fishing then. You're basically doing it the hard way.
 
SS I don't own a float setup since it is not a common method of fishing here in NS. My plan is to swing and drift flies but if that is not working i may explore the bead technique......to each their own.
 
4-5 inches above the hook will earn you a fine with most CO's for fishing with a bare hook. 1-2 inches is considered legal.

Paul, check this site out for beads www.steelheadbeads.com pretty good value for what you get, and in tons of colours, sizes and shapes
 
Paul1913 said:
FF thanks.. You have any experience in ordering from them

none at all, a good friend of mines, cousin is a rep in bowmanville, Brandon McQuaid, if you have any problems, let me know. I see him every week, i'll get a card tomorrow and post it up here as well.


he also happens to be a pretty damn good mountain bike racer as well, i think either top 5 or top 10 in canada
 

Latest posts

Back
Top