Above: the pulley dropper works well for ray
Below left: a shortened pulley dropper type rig showing the various components
Below left: a shortened pulley dropper type rig showing the various components
Like many anglers, I have become a fan of the ‘dropper’ style rig for targeting bottom-feeding species. Last year I used the pulley variation of the rig for pretty much all my fishing for ray and found it effective enough to replace the rigs that I was using previously. I do have my doubts about whether the hooklength actually presents below the lead much of the time, but nevertheless, the rig design seems to ensure that the bait stays reasonably still on the bottom, even at shorter ranges or when fishing from up high.
There is one fundamental problem with the pulley dropper rig. The original dropper used a cascade swivel and was tensioned using powergum. The cascade swivel is not sturdy enough to be safely used in the pulley version, so an alternative swivel and clip gadget has to be found. Sakuma do make a rolling swivel with clip that is basically a beefed up cascade swivel. I have used these and have not had a problem with them, but I still consider them a bit too small and fine to be entirely safe. The common solution is to use a Gemini ‘bent rig clip’ with a sturdy swivel fitted on to it.
However, there is a flaw with the clip and swivel arrangement; the swivel hangs loose and does nothing to prevent the hooklength tangling with the rig body. The system would be ideal if we could find a way to stiffen the connection so that the hooklength could stand off nicely. I had seen an article in a magazine showing a continental style of lead link formed by an open ended wire link that opened and closed with a section of shrink tube and it occurred to me that shrink tube could be the ideal way to form a rigid connection between clip and swivel. After purchasing a packet of Mustad 3mm shrink tube and some brief experimentation, what I refer to as the ‘super cascade swivel’ was produced.
Now, I’m not claiming to be the first angler to have done or thought of this but as far as I’m aware, this kind of idea hasn’t yet appeared in any of the magazines or on the major websites. I do think that it should though, as it’s a nifty and safe adaption that improves the rigs efficacy in spades. Since beginning to use the super cascade, I have had very little problem with the rig tangling, even when fishing it ‘mobile’ using a plain lead in tide. Of course, the ideal thing all round would be for one of the manufacturers of terminal tackle to make a suitably tough swivel and clip, but until that happens, the super cascade is a worthy fill-in.
There is one fundamental problem with the pulley dropper rig. The original dropper used a cascade swivel and was tensioned using powergum. The cascade swivel is not sturdy enough to be safely used in the pulley version, so an alternative swivel and clip gadget has to be found. Sakuma do make a rolling swivel with clip that is basically a beefed up cascade swivel. I have used these and have not had a problem with them, but I still consider them a bit too small and fine to be entirely safe. The common solution is to use a Gemini ‘bent rig clip’ with a sturdy swivel fitted on to it.
However, there is a flaw with the clip and swivel arrangement; the swivel hangs loose and does nothing to prevent the hooklength tangling with the rig body. The system would be ideal if we could find a way to stiffen the connection so that the hooklength could stand off nicely. I had seen an article in a magazine showing a continental style of lead link formed by an open ended wire link that opened and closed with a section of shrink tube and it occurred to me that shrink tube could be the ideal way to form a rigid connection between clip and swivel. After purchasing a packet of Mustad 3mm shrink tube and some brief experimentation, what I refer to as the ‘super cascade swivel’ was produced.
Now, I’m not claiming to be the first angler to have done or thought of this but as far as I’m aware, this kind of idea hasn’t yet appeared in any of the magazines or on the major websites. I do think that it should though, as it’s a nifty and safe adaption that improves the rigs efficacy in spades. Since beginning to use the super cascade, I have had very little problem with the rig tangling, even when fishing it ‘mobile’ using a plain lead in tide. Of course, the ideal thing all round would be for one of the manufacturers of terminal tackle to make a suitably tough swivel and clip, but until that happens, the super cascade is a worthy fill-in.
From top: a Breakaway cascade swivel, a Sakuma rolling swivel with clip, and a Gemini bent rig clip with Gemini main line swivel
The ingredients for the super cascade: Mustad 3mm shrink tube, a Gemini bent rig clip and a Gemini main line swivel. I use a heat gun for shrinking the tube, but a hairdryer or boiling water from a kettle will work fine too. The pliers are to stop me melting my fingers! | Cut a section of shrink tube about a 1/2'' and slide it over the swivel and up on to the clip. This can be quite fiddly and slightly trimming the tube can sometimes help to get it on. The end product: a tough and reliable piece of terminal tackle. |