Bulk Up For The Deep Pegs

Use an olivette to help get your hookbait down fast.

- Dave Harrell

A LOT of anglers seem to think that bulk-shotted rigs should only be used in very deep water.

There are days, though, when a float shotted with a group of shot or an olivette close to the hook will catch you a lot more fish than a strung-out, lightly shotted rig.

Years ago, there were very few float choices for these approaches but, in more recent times, there are plenty of choices to suit a large number of situations.

All my bulk fishing is based around three types of float patterns, and while there are different designs within these families, the basic approach is the same with a bulk and sometimes (but not always) a drop shot.

I carry a big selection of floats for this sort of work and they range in size from 2g all the way up to a 10g. Add to this equation a mix of thicknesses in the hollow bristles or balsa tops and you will quickly realise that it’s a type of fishing that requires plenty of options if you’re going to cover all situations.

OLIVETTES OR SHOT?

FOR bulk-shotted rigs I prefer to use olivettes over shot. They are neater and less prone to tangling. The ones I use can be fixed to the line by pulling a small piece of tight-fitting pole elastic through the hole and trimming it flush with the lead.

This fixes the olivette in place and stops it moving, unless you actually want to slide it yourself.

I use these in sizes from 0.40g all the way up to 10g.