Dropper loops - landbased.
So guys (and gals), what is your preference for dropper rigs (paternoster), for landbased fishing.
I usually do the standard dropper loops. I try to get them around 15 – 30 cm long and occasionally use a twisted dropper. I like being able to change hooks easily. Just loop them on.
I often wonder if the double line in the dropper loop will scare fish away. Would it be better to do a dropper knot with single dropper line instead of a loop? I think some sort of blood dropper knot is used???
Or even use 3 way swivels and tie the droppers directly to the swivel (which I do use for larger rigs for tailor, salmon etc).
I never seem to catch as many fish using a dropper rig, and I wonder if it is the doubled loop that the fish can see easily. But I definitely like the idea of presenting 2 different baits.
In particular I am talking about rigs for fish like skippy, tarwhine, salmon trout, maybe whiting (when not using the typical running ball setup).
Thanks for your thoughts. What do you use?
Pembo
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Work
They work fine pembo. It's horses for courses I use a double twisted dropper in heavy surf conditions due to the strong water movement so your bait is pushed away from the mainline and this method doesn't tangle too much. It's important to use a swivel above your sinker as this will cut alot of line twist out especially when your winding in. From experience I would say mulloway dont seem to go for this rig but tailor and other species wont be effected.
If your fishing snaggy ground be aware that the line will break normally at one of the dropper loops so if you want to fish with a light leader to your sinker you will need a 3 way swivel or a joint.
A 3 way swivel will give your bait a more natural presentation but Its prone to more tangles. Use the swivels that have a ring in the middle, not sure what they are called but they work better for this application. I know you were asking this for land based fishing but when it comes to boat fishing I recently retired the dropper loop for 3 way swivels and have found they tangle less which makes sense due to the additional swivels and they work better for that application.
When landbased I usually fish 2 rods one has a double dropper loop and thf other a running sinker rig
cudbfishn
Posts: 1311
Date Joined: 06/04/09
3 way cranes??I only use a
3 way cranes??
I only use a paternoster when fishing small. I find paternosters dont cast to well for mulies. I use a clip down rig for casting distance and it is a running sinker style. Ive never had problems with catching fish, even using wire trace.
sea-kem
Posts: 15273
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Never had any trouble with
Never had any trouble with dropper loops for skippy,Herring etc. I try and eliminate as may swivels as I can. But with Tailor rigs it's unavoidable 3 way swivels and personal choice if you run the gang leader longer than the sinker or shorter. I prefer shorter so I can keep it off the bottom and reasonably avoid rays.
Love the West!
pembo6
Posts: 175
Date Joined: 21/08/11
Some good advice there guys
I am pretty much doing what you guys have suggested. I have always used 3way swivels when rigging for tailor or larger fish (unless using a running sinker rig). And usually only use a typical dropper/paternoster style rig for smaller fish. I will just keep persistning with the normal dropper loops and see how I go.
But I will definately take Rigs advice re: swivel at the bottom sinker. Never thought of that before. Makes perfect sense.
Pembo
cudbfishn
Posts: 1311
Date Joined: 06/04/09
I usually use a big snaplock
I usually use a big snaplock crane swivel. Then you can just unclip and clip on a new sinker, makes storing rigs easier too. The snaplock takes most spoon sinkers too and I have never had one open when casting.
Alan James
Posts: 2324
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Remember a dropper loop
can very simply become a single strand. Simply cut one of the strands close (not too close) to the the dropper loop knot. I think the surgeons knot is the more common knot used to tie a single strand trace to the mainline.
BORN2FISH66
Posts: 1
Date Joined: 01/09/11
Fishing knots
Go to - Animated Knots by Grog - (Google?) - Log in - Scroll down to - Find Knots by Name -
171 Knots - How to tie them and what they are used for.
Hope this helps!
BORN2FISH66
pembo6
Posts: 175
Date Joined: 21/08/11
Hey Rig
Hey Rig. you mentioned that you sometimes use a twisted dropper paternoster setup in the surf.
How long do you get your twisted dropper? Does it work with a gang OK, or just singles?
I assume you just hace 1 or 2 twisted droppers and then a sinker a tthe bottom??
Thanks mate,
Pembo
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Droppers
Pembo most of my twisted droppers are about 150mm long and I more often that not attach a gang to that but singles are fine also. I use the same rigs on my tiny whiting setups with a long shank hook. If your using small hooks you may need to use small clips as the leader might not fit through the eye of your hook. I use 2 droppers for success rate ie have to mulies better than 1, but just 1 will cast further and it is basically then a paternoster rig with the sinker at the bottom use a clip swivel to reduce line twist, Any more questions just ask mate.
I had to edit this today as some spelling was wrong, I responded after getting home from the pub lol