Split shot pattern. Help please.

[N8orDie]

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice on different ways to arrange split shot on a float rig. My current rig looks like this: spinning reel spooled with 8-10lb. Nanofil with a 6 ft. length of 8lb. Maxima Ultragreen connected to it via uni-uni knot. My float goes on the Ultragreen above a micro swivel to which I tie a 12" to 24" 5lb. flouro leader. After lots of experimenting, this is the line setup that I like with my spinning gear but my question is:

Is it better to arrange all of my weight on the mainline (in my case, the 8lb. section of Ultragreen) ABOVE the swivel and use a shorter length of leader or is it better to place enough weight to balance the float above the swivel and then stagger some bb shot BELOW the swivel on a longer leader?

I've seen lots of different options, from bunched shot/inline sinkers/egg sinkers above or at the swivel with only a couple of bb shot on the leader to fully staggered patterns mainly below the swivel on leaders up to 4 ft. long. What's your opinion?

Thanks,

- Nate

 

[pop-vlado]

This will help:

www.anglersinternational.com/Shotting%20Patterns.pdf

 

[N8orDie]

Thanks for the reply! I hadn't been able to find that document in its entirety.

 

[Dozer]

I try to keep my flouro lead shot free however if I've got some very buoyant rubbery worm on my hook I will throw shot on my leader to keep it down. Also, keeping the shot off the leader saves time when you lose that leader by not having to put new shot on.

You've got it all down pat - all methods work and you will have to adjust to various conditions. Have fun

 

[N8orDie]

Awesome. Thanks for your help.

 

[rich_ace_G]

Depending on the water you're fishing and depth. There are spots that I don't put shots on my leader, then there are spots where I put 1 last shot 12inches above the hook.

 

[miles]

For years I fished a weight free leader but I did away with that some time ago, I now I often put more than one on my leader. For most of the water people fish on here (smaller slow moving creeks) I personally would rarely add shot

 

[fishing89]

i fish without a shot on the leader. unless the current is SUPER fast and deep, there is no need to stress the leader or add extra visibility. Many others have put shots on their leaders with no problems, its all preference I suppose, however I prefer a very clean and simple set up. Mine is the "Standard" setup as depicted in the first link provided, except that I have 2 0.6gram shots directly below the float and stagger 5-6 0.4gram shots to the tip of the swivel.

 

[CraigsonJ]

Hers a good link w info n diagrams for shotting.

http://www.anglersinternational.com/Shotting%20Patterns.pdf

 

[instapump416]

I always struggle with my shot patterns

 

[Jason15]

http://www.raventackle.com/shotting_patterns.php

 

[cork]

I bulk shot under the float on the main line then bulk shot further down the main line with very small shot, the amount of shot here is determined by the speed of the current and the distance here from the float is determined by the depth of the river, then I add a small swivel immediately after the shot and tie on a 24" leader usually 4lbs with no shot, sometimes when I fish shallower water I might go with a longer leader and very rarely add 1 small shot.

 

[N8orDie]

This is great. Lots to work with here. Thanks!

 

[fenwickfisher]

Pick yourself up the raven float fishing guide I find it useful for shotting patterns I refer back to it every now and then just to keep from forgetting(have a horrible memory lol) but it tells you what floats are useful in what situations and I certainly picked up a few tips from it when I first started out

 

[steelhead101]

one mistake i made when i was a beginner was just putting the shot in the right order from biggest to smallest. if you see your roe bag getting caught in the current and drifting a foot under you float you won't catch anything. for what its worth you could use a big ol egg sinker on the bottom as long as your bait gets to the fish, steelhead and salmon rarely will move much especially when pressured

 

[BERRRG]

If you put too much shot on your leader, your presentation might literally be below their line of sight. I'm no expert but I keep the leader free of shot, and the shot on the shotline or mainline. I just started a similar thread if you want some more reading on this topic. I use pre-made shotlines to make rigging up and switching rigs on the water quick and easy.

http://www.ontariofishingforums.com/forum/topic/25493-leader-shot-line-and-float-rigging-question/