Sleek, tangle-free, and built for performance, there are few rigs that match the helicopter when it comes to fishing over silt, weed, or debris-strewn bottoms. Whether you're after bream, tench, roach, or carp, this clever setup gives you a serious edge when bites are hard to come by and presentation matters the most.
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Why choose the helicopter rig
The helicopter rig is a fixed rig that stands out in scenarios where more traditional setups have limitations. Its design allows the hook link to rotate freely around the mainline, minimising tangles during casting and ensuring optimal bait presentation. This rig is particularly advantageous when fishing at long distances or over challenging substrates like silt or weed.
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The components
You can purchase the rig ready made, and you can simply slide the stops and swivel directly on to your mainline in one go, but if you prefer to construct the rig from scratch here is how to do it.
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Mainline: A robust monofilament line.
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Beads: Specialised helicopter beads or line stops to secure the swivel.
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Swivel: A small, high-quality swivel, hooklength or 'heli' swivel to allow free rotation of the hook link.
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Hook Link: A short (4-6 inch) or fluorocarbon or stiff mono.
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Feeder or Lead: Depending on your target species and fishing conditions.
Tying the helicopter rig
1 of 3Slide a float stop onto your mainline
2 of 3Follow with a small hooklength or 'heli' swivel, which will hold your hook link. Adding an anti tangle sleeve will suppress tangles further. Secure by adding another bead below the swivel to sandwich it between the two beads.
3 of 3helicopter rig
Attach your chosen weight or feeder to the end of the mainline. Connect your pre-tied hook link to the swivel. Ensure that the beads are positioned to allow the swivel to rotate freely, enabling the hook link to spin around the mainline without obstruction.
Getting the best out of the rig
Adjusting the bead positioning is where the helicopter rig really comes into its own. Shift them closer together and you tighten up the rig for precision, spread them out and you give the hook link more freedom to spin and reset on the bottom.
It’s a simple adjustment that can make a world of difference. Add to that an anti-tangle sleeve, and you’ve suddenly got a rig that not only casts cleanly but lands perfectly too, no mess. Just a tidy setup fishing effectively every time.
When to use the rig, what species to target
The beauty of the helicopter rig lies in its versatility. It’s a setup that lends itself just as well to targeting specimen roach and rudd as it does to tench bubbling over a silty margin, or big bream holding up in weedy holes. Scaled down, it’s perfect for delicate silverfish work; scaled up, it becomes a robust carp catcher that can hold bottom in open water or tight up against snags and gravel bars.
It’s this adaptability, to suit your target and the conditions, that’s earned it a permanent spot in so many anglers’ repertoire.
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