Backleads can be useful when you want to pin the line between rod and rig to the lake bed, so that carp are not likely to be spooked by either seeing or running into it. Also, on days when you seem to be getting constant line bites, using a backlead can eliminate the problem entirely. Fish may feed more confidently when your line is running along the bed of lake out of the way of any cruising carp. We have all seen carp after carp turn away just when they are about to cross your line, in a situation like this by using a backlead the carp would not see the line and continue cruising undisturbed without being spooked.
Another advantage of a backlead when using more than one rod, is that when you are fighting a carp on one rod there is far less chance of it kiting across and tangling in the line of the other rod, as the line is held down out of the way of the ensuing fight.
Lastly in South Africa some dams have problems with obstructions (on the water) as well as a continious problem of Hyacinth. When fishing with a back lead you reduce the chance of these obstructions causing line mamangement problems. i.e. Roodekoppies and Roodeplaat.
Picture of No Backlead Used:
After casting and before tightening up slip the back lead onto your line and slide it down into the lake. A spare length of line or braid should be tied to the back lead and the other end attached to your pod or bank side It can then be retrieved if it comes off on the retrieve or in a fight with a carp.
There are basically 2 types of backlead, one is a ring on a weight with a slit to allow the lead to be slipped on the line after casting, this type of lead stays on the the line during retrieval and any fight with a carp. With this type of backlead it is probably better to not attach it by line to an object on the bank, but just have the lead on the line sliding freely. The other type has a has a screw fitting and 2 arms for gripping over the line. This type is designed so the line jumps out of the backlead on a strike, the fight then continuing without the backlead attached to the line. With this sort it is essential to tether the lead to an object on the bank by line so it can be retrieved.
One disadvantage of using backleads is that after striking there can be more slack line to pick up before making direct contact with a fish.
Picture of Using a Back Lead:
To use a backlead or not to use a backlead. If you need to make direct contact with a fish as soon as possible, then using a backlead can be a disadvantage, However, if the fish are being spooked out of your swim or you are experiencing line bites, then give backleading a go. It could result in more fish on the bank.
A back lead can be constructed effectivly with what you already have in your box. When requuired I use (what we call) a P2 sinker. I then use a clip on swivel onto the P2 with the non clip end attached to the P2 ring with a piece of braid. Once the line is in the water, I then take the clip part of the clip on swivel and clip that to the line and drop the P2 1 to 2 meters into the water thus pinning the line to the bed.
