An indepth look at Pegging Vs Banding trout beads for STEELHEAD

With so many ways to rig up for your steelhead drift... what's the difference between pegging a bead Vs Banding? I have a preference towards Banding. here's why
www.creekcandybeadcompany.com

[@valpal7824]

Thank you for sharing info!!

[@morighorashi9580]

Mark what a video!!! This is gold. I will definitely try it and let you know

[@mehlbeck]

Glad you benefitted from the information 😃👍

[@morighorashi9580]

@@mehlbeck what size band do you use and where do you get yours. Also, I know you have a very nice bead container that probably a lot of people ask for it. Can you please let me know if I can get one.

[@mehlbeck]

@@morighorashi9580 I'll have more cases for the spring season. Hit me up in February 👍 as to the bands... buy a kit from Creek Candy Bead Company or try some small bands from the craft store 👍

[@morighorashi9580]

@@mehlbeck awesome!! Big thanks.

[@TheMrMused]

Thanks, Mark! I've been fishing beads for over a decade, but hadn't come across banding. We've used pegs and we've used stopper (nail) knots to allow the bead to free-float on the leader. I'm pretty excited to see how banding does for fall browns & steelhead here in upstate NY.

[@mehlbeck]

You will slay brother. Keep switching color and size until you hit the magical combo. Pegging your bead ensures you will keep on fishing the same set up way too long

[@TheMrMused]

@@mehlbeck It'll be faster than our current method (loop connection for leader .. no need to re-tie which is fast, but still time-consuming and sucks when it gets *really* cold!), but I'm really interested to see if that extra freedom of motion turns into extra fish. I'm strongly suspecting it will!

[@mehlbeck]

@@TheMrMused 100%

[@TheMrMused]

@@mehlbeck had a chance to spend the morning on the water. No steelhead to be had (by anyone!), but I'm now confident I didn't leave any bead options on the table. Figured out that in a pinch, bead pegs can be used for banding, no problems! Thanks for adding a new trick to have up my sleeve!

[@FishonFishgone]

Hey Mark, very informative video ! Question for you, when you band the bead is the rubber holding the bead as strong as the pegged bead does? Or you have to adjust the position of the bead more often compared to the pegged bead ?

[@mehlbeck]

You will adjust the position more often with a banded bead, yes. After a bead take and set... the bead will slide down to the hook, so repositioning will be required. It also means more hookups though because the bead slides more quickly to the hook 👍

[@FishonFishgone]

@@mehlbeck , thanks for the clarification!

[@tomm.9893]

Great video! But where did that steelhead decal/sticker come from? Very cool!

[@mehlbeck]

@creekcandybeadcompany

[@alexargyros7186]

Great video, Mark. Two questions, if you don't mind: 1. Do you find that you get fewer solid hookups with the banding method (because the bead sticks out on one side of the tippet)? 2. Could you tell me where you get your red rubber bands (and what size would be appropriate for 6mm beads)? Thanks, Alex.

[@mehlbeck]

Actually the hookup percentage increases if anything because the banded bead slides down to the hook easier when taken. The band are available through www.creekcandybeadcompany.com or you can use small thin bands like "rainbow loom" bands fur 6 mm beads

[@alexargyros7186]

@@mehlbeck Just read your reply, Mark. I'm confused. I though that when the bead slides down to he hook the result is fewer hooked fish because the bead interferes with the hook, even one with an offset eye. But, if the bead remains in place, then the fish takes the bead and the angler pulls the hook into the fish. Am I wrong?

[@mehlbeck]

@@alexargyros7186 in slow water with stationary fish, they will "mouth" the bead and the result will be a tiny unnatural movement of your float. If the bead is pegged you will sometimes miss that tiny little take. Whereas a banded bead will slip on the take and find purchase in the lip more often.

[@alexargyros7186]

@@mehlbeck I see. Thanks.

[@deanazarnush884]

does this prevent line shredding with glass beads? im tired of shredded leader line from glass beads

[@mehlbeck]

Yes... the line runs on the outside of the bead and only goes through the band 👍🏻

[@RKMxMedia]

Are the frog water reels hard to find?

[@mehlbeck]

Look on Canadian centerpin groups... they're not cheap but they are sooo good

[@thomasnorthrup9990]

@melbeck I'm willing to try anything, I change bead colors a lot, and am now doing single hand spey casting and swinging the bead, however I'm having difficulty with the soft bead not sliding down to the hook from the force of the cast. I will certainly give this a try but I just don't see how you're not going to be losing a lot of beads without the line actually going through the bead completely. As you show to change the bead color "just pull the line out", I would think with the force of a steelhead against your fly rod it would pull that line right out of the bead?

[@mehlbeck]

A couple things to un-pack Herr. First... band sizing. When you get the correct thickness of band, you will not lose beads during hook up. The line runs straight and the band holds. However... if you are spey casting, you may want to peg. Hit up @johnnybow1001 on insta. He is the premier guide on St Mary's rapids and spey casts beeds 12 months a year. He will switch between pegging and banding depending on the style of cast. Hope that helps

[@thomasnorthrup9990]

@@mehlbeck Thanks for the prompt reply Mark, yes it helps, I'm definitely going to give it a go! Going to check out your pro pack.

[@mehlbeck]

@@thomasnorthrup9990 and reach out to @johnnybow1001 on insta... he'll have that specific answer for banding or pegging for spey casting. An honest opinion from someone who does it 12 months a year is gold

[@thomasnorthrup9990]

@@mehlbeck absolutely will, I'm in central Ohio St Mary's is on my bucket list, may look him up for guiding as well!

[@pokemaster1234567899]

When you get a bite on a banded bead and set the hook, do you notice that you lose your bead when you bring the fish in? Both techniques work well but banded is definitely quicker.

[@mehlbeck]

Thanks for the GREAT question. That's a common misconception. Actually no. Not often. If you over trim your band ends then yes you'll lose a few but you are either using undersized bands or over trimming your band ends if you are losing them often.

[@Amir-zx5xh]

Doesn’t the line break easily that way vs pegging?Thanks

[@mehlbeck]

The opposite... the line does not ruin through the bead. There is far less pressure/ tension on the line Vs pegging

[@alexargyros7186]

I just returned to this excellent video, and two questions arose: 1. What brand/model/size hook would you choose for use with 6mm. beads? 2. How far from the hook do you place the bead?

[@mehlbeck]

Daiichi 4225 Salmon Egg There are many others but stick to wide Gap when possible. Bead should be 2 fingers width up from the hook. Happy fishing

[@alexargyros7186]

@@mehlbeck Thank you. Now, could you tell what size Daiichi 4225 hook you would choose to fish with a 6mm egg?

[@mehlbeck]

I usually run size 10 or 12 but each supplier Has a different interpretation for sizing.

[@alexargyros7186]

@@mehlbeck Sorry to keep bugging you, Mark, but I couldn't find a good source for Daiichi 4225 in the U.S. Do you know of a source? If not, could you suggest some alternate hooks that would work well with your banding method?

[@mehlbeck]

@@alexargyros7186 you won't have trouble finding Raven Specimen. Try those 👍🏻

[@fjin1]

Where can I buy that tool? Thx

[@mehlbeck]

www.creekcandybeadcompany.com/apps/webstore/products/show/7855948?siteId=131402807&locale=en-CA The tool will also come with the pro pack or pro guide pack if you order beads

[@alltroutdout7746]

good luck with frays lol, for thiker leader it an work, for 8lb down good luck dealing with line frays