there were 30 people charged last fall by the mnr for beads 3 inches up from the hook, the chances of u snagging a fish or foul hooking it like that is greatly increased. There is a very fine line.
and btw, the gap in your hook should be the same size as your bead. so if u r using a huge 10 or 12mm bead u should pretty much be using a #4 or a #6 if u can believe that.
I could ever bring myself to use a hook that size.
Mitch, u can fish however u want. Ive been fishing with a centerpin for 15 years and if u talk to any accomplished centerpinner they will tell u that it takes 5 years to perfect float fishing presentation!
believe me when I tell u, using beads as a beginner, u will loose lots of fish.