Tench fishing how to: Maggot helicopter rig

Spoiler alert, double figure tench and huge bream caught!
In this video I show you how to tie the maggot helicopter rig for specimen tench and catch some specimens along the way.
Very easy to tie and to fish but deadly effective, the maggot heli rig has to be the number 1 method for catching specimen gravel pit tench

[@fishwithandy]

Wow what a Great Video , and what a amazing session , that eel looked huge , l am planning on feeder fishing for tench and perch again and this has fired me right up ,

[@PaulScowen]

@@fishwithandy thanks Andy. Good luck 🎣

[@carpypete]

That rig looks worth a try on a tricky water I fish. Thanks for the ideas. Great vlog.

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Pete. Let us know how you get on 🤞

[@Rob-zq8sy]

Another enjoyable and instructional vid Paul thanks.

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Rob

[@pjg4615]

That has to be one of the best KZbin fishing videos I've ever seen. Thank you! Very well filmed and very informative. I assume you just unhooked the eels and returned them as soon as possible. The more that can be saved the better due to their being on the endangered list!

[@PaulScowen]

PJG thanks, that’s very kind of you. I love eels, they are certainly all returned alive.

[@EricPollarrd]

I utterly dread catching an eel 😩

[@rogerhopkins8193]

superb video Paul, thanks and well done

[@danprice6270]

Nice tips I’m on a weedy syndicate this rig is the one I’ve been thinking of in my head nice to see how to do it properly 👍

[@PaulScowen]

The rig works best on natural gravel pits and is great if you are fishing over a bit of chod. Good luck!

[@jangojango4823]

Brilliant video! - a refreshing change from carp which seem to be the only species that matter to most anglers today - I’m not anti carp but sadly so many once decent big tench/bream/roach fisheries are now simply shadows since being (over) stocked with mud pigs. Your terminal set up certainly seems effective! - I’ve always been wary using fluorocarbon having had hooklinks snap for no apparent reason although the inherent stiffness certainly aids hooking potential with pop up rigs ( with the right hook patten) - Perhaps I’ve been unlucky (?) either way you’ve given me the incentive to try again!! Personally I’ve tended to rely on “Tring” style light line helicopter rigs with 4 to 6.6 Silstar links and super spades fished on a power gum leader - great confidence rigs that produce lots of bites in clear conditions but I doubt as efficient your pop up arrangement. Anyway top angling! All the best.

[@PaulScowen]

I totally agree about carp. They certainly have their place (the water in this video is a carp syndicate) but unfortunately so many anglers have carp blinkers on. I have also had issues with 8lb fluoro hooklinks snapping at the eye with a knotless knot when chub fishing but have not had any problems since using heavier hooklinks. Confidence is half the battle, if it's working for you stick with it. It's worth having this in the locker if you think you are getting done as it is ruthlessly efficient.

[@davidsimpson1957]

Excellent video been a float fisherman for year will try the rig on the canal thanks

[@PaulScowen]

David Simpson you can’t beat catching them on the float if conditions allow. Good luck!

[@properpiker3219]

Thanks for the video Paul I’ve recently took up fishing again and need videos like this to help me learn about setting up and bate presentation so thank you and I look forward to trying this method on the lakes of Ireland 🇮🇪

[@PaulScowen]

Darren Stanley good luck

[@tenchmagic]

Excellent video Paul. Really enjoyed it. Cracking looking venue 👌

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Chris

[@bradboj]

What a great rig. Will give that a try. Thanks.

[@PaulScowen]

Good luck 🎣

[@baldvale5418]

Great video Paul, I will have to give that rig a try, it looks very effective.

[@denvermoises1483]

a tip : you can watch movies at instaflixxer. I've been using it for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@billyhoward9643]

@Denver Moises yup, been watching on instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@carloscolton92]

@Denver Moises Yea, been using instaflixxer for since december myself =)

[@jacobjavion9346]

@Denver Moises yea, been watching on InstaFlixxer for since november myself =)

[@kanedario7639]

@Denver Moises yup, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since november myself :)

[@gee3883]

Cracking video mate and great rig, thanks

[@MrTim207]

Nice one, great fishing.

[@barbelbert4543]

Great footage and tips..really enjoyable..😊

[@WERONEfishing]

Excellent vid the heli your take on it was devastating one fish after the other great fishing will be using your rig

[@PaulScowen]

Rishi it’s a very effective pit rig and well worth a try 👍

[@andrewsharp6227]

Really enjoyed that as a tench fan thanks

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Andrew

[@paulmayne3216]

bare feet in 4 inches of water sloshing around a heavy duty leisure battery!......you are quite mad sir!, nice fishing all the same, but hose feet so close to that power supply gave me the willies lol⚡⚡😉👍

[@PaulScowen]

At worst the battery may short but a shock from a 12v leisure battery is unlikely. However, I concede I am probably guilty of being quite mad 😜 😆

[@andrewtate8303]

AS a carp angler who enjoys other species as well the heli type rig is unbeatable for anti anti tangle when fishing a reasonable distance out but close in It can stick up at a very acute angle so allways change to a inline bolt set up .

[@PaulScowen]

andrew tate I totally agree. It’s not a rig for fishing the margins or holes in the weed. It definitely works best on pre spawn gravel pit tench which are frequently at a reasonable range and fished for in April-May when the weed is still reasonably moderate. As the fishing started later this year due to the lockdown I’m working on a video for tench fishing from June with inlines.

[@justinmorgan494]

Brilliant video! More please!

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks C & J. I’m working on a ‘how to catch specimen eels’ video at the moment

[@adambacker8178]

I like that rig and nice vid Paul, impressed

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Adam

[@michaelsmith9408]

Fantastic fishing Thank you.

[@jackmilligan6460]

Nice video and I shall be trying out your rig on tench next season !

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks. It's especially good early season ;)

[@ryescott9445]

Love this guy and this channel,

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Rye. Love you too 😊

[@markhepworth4804]

Very enjoyable,some beautiful fish and I'm subbed.Fished the St Ives lakes day only ticket last season,found the two lakes I fished very moody,and although beautiful surroundings,maybe I should be looking at a single pit carp syndicate like you have here...good tench waters are hard to come by in the north Essex area...😔 Great stuff,I appreciate the effort you put in to bring us this!

[@PaulScowen]

Mark Hepworth thanks Mark. There is certainly some good fishing for most species to be had on many ‘carp’ syndicates. They can be expensive though so you want be sure they hold your targets before joining

[@markhepworth4804]

Paul Scowen Sage advice Paul,I shall do the due diligence. I'll keep my eyes open for your next post!

[@skittles13fun]

Mark Hepworth, just read your post, regarding tench waters north essex, wasnt gosfield lake and naseby res brilliant tench waters back in the day? I would suggest yiur best bet in that neck of the woods is definately the lea valley! Good angling paul, i am a carp angler but i still like to fish for other specimen fish.

[@markhepworth4804]

skittles13fun Only just seen this reply Skittles,from what I've heard Gosfield lake doesn't hold much in the way of decent tench these days,the lea valley is an area I'd like to look at. All the best mate👍

[@johnfryer3149]

Thanks for reply Paul. Is a syndicate where membership is Available?? As I’m 65 now and only working 2 days a week, so have plenty of time to fish now. 👍👍

[@ryandigings7335]

Hi Paul. After watching this, I landed my first of the season so thanks! I copied this but used a push stop and worms on the hair due to small Rudd etc. Just wondered if you have as much success with worms or using fake maggots on the hook?

[@PaulScowen]

That’s great to hear, well done on your tench. Worms are a fantastic tench bait and the worm kebab has perhaps caught more big tench by design than any other method over recent years. I don’t tend to use a lot of plastic but they unquestionably work and catch a lot of tench so if rudd are an issue I wouldn’t have any concerns using them

[@ryandigings7335]

@@PaulScowen Thanks Paul! very informative

[@johnfryer3149]

Hi Paul. Great catch. Any chance you would say where you were fishing. Cheers John

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks John. It's a carp syndicate. I am sure they must all think I am mad as I mostly target everything but the carp on there!

[@00markelliott00]

Stunning captures. Great explanation.

[@fishert4948]

Very interesting video . I have used this system on many occasions and the heli rig just works fine! However, I believe that in (very) deep water the main line makes an angle with the bottom therefore the hooklength does not lie flat on the bottom. DO you agree with that ? Would you consider leadcore ?

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Fisher. The rig is ideally suited to gravel pits and larger tench when you are casting far enough that the natural sag in the line will resolve this. If you are concerned use light bobbins (I do anyway) and fluoro mainline (I’ve not found a need to). If fishing it in the margins fish it on a slack line (although I would favour a float close in). I’ve got no issue with lead core and use it in other aspects of my fishing but find there is no need with this rig

[@ianberry1713]

Just subscribed and what a fantastic first video to view! Some cracking Tench. Thanks for the rig info, definitely one to try come the Spring.

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Ian. It will soon be tench time again!

[@EricPollarrd]

Wherever I go using maggot, worm etc I just get plagued by tiddlers. I’m relatively new to fishing so am wondering if that’s just becuz of the time of year? Loadsa new fry after a later than usual spawn time..?

[@PaulScowen]

Maggot and worm are not viable hook baits on all waters. If small fish are a problem the alternative is to fish scaled down carp tactics with baits like corn, plastics or boilies.

[@simonhatton2683]

Great thanks for sharing

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

Excellent video. Particuarly appreciate you showing how the rig sits in the water. Think I'll give the rig a go. One thing - I'll be fishing a gravel pit which gets very ready. Do you adjust the length of your hook link above the weed or leave it at 2-3 inches?

[@PaulScowen]

thejudge 1897 thanks. The venue this was filmed on was also very weedy but this rig really requires you to be fishing on a clear spot. That’s where the boat and aquascope come in. If fishing in the weed for tench I’d turn to solid pva bags or method feeders. Good luck. I’d love to hear how you get in

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

@@PaulScowen Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately we are not allowed a boat on the venue. I'll have to either find a clear patch or rake a swim. I have heard of people using a small maggot feeder with fake caster which when cast actually sits on top of the weed! Think I'll go for raking a swim. You got on the bank for tench yet this year?

[@PaulScowen]

You can certainly catch them in the weed and they will often clear an area for you once they get on the bait. Pre-baiting a few spots will help. I very much flit from species to species throughout the year so most likely won’t start seriously targeting tench until May.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

Its hard to go home when the bites are still coming... 😂 That bream looked like a right old warhorse... did u weigh it ? 🤔 I like that rig... I'm a big fan of hair-rigged plastic corn, had an overnight session last year in may & had 24 tench in the 24 hr period... ALL on the plastic corn 🤗 Over here in Ireland we don't get tench of that weight as its all wild fish in natural lakes, no carp so no bulk feed going in for the tench... 😒 My PB is 6lbs 1oz... quite respectable for over here... 🙄😏 8.15lbs is the Irish record , commercials-caught fish don't count (we have a very small number of commercials over here) 6lbs is a "specimen".... 😚 Lovin the vid man, keep it up... subbed & liked ! 😎👍☘️

[@PaulScowen]

Peter Fitzpatrick it was 12.7, very skinny and down a pound on the previous year. Sadly I suspect that was its last spawning season. I wouldn’t complain about a lack of carp. They certainly have their place but it’s not everywhere as is the case over here. Plastic can be really effective, it just needs that initial leap of faith. Thanks and good luck with the tench this year 🎣

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

@@PaulScowen Thanks Paul...btw... that braid needle with the green button u mentioned re. not stabbing yerself 🙄😏 I have the same tool & found that if you push the button forward to pierce a bait/foam/plastic , instead of fully extending it before use, its less likely to bend & also less likely to stab you... (hope that makes sense) ......tight lines my friend 😎👍☘️

[@PaulScowen]

@@peterfitzpatrick7032 too late, it's already a bit bent! I use it for everything from piercing baits to tightening knots. It's a handy little tool.

[@harryzammit3031]

Paul what was you baiting up with at the beginning of video

[@PaulScowen]

It would’ve been pellet, maggot and maybe a little hemp

[@adamfrancis8210]

What a great video, thank you.

[@PaulScowen]

👍

[@redzed40]

good video :)

[@vmaxzile]

Good angling buddy. I just subscribed to your channel.✌

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks mate 👍

[@harryzammit3031]

Loved it what’s the lake called

[@PaulScowen]

Sadly it’s now an invite only carp syndicate with maggot and worm banned so is no longer available to tench fisherman.

[@timknight4271]

Nice vid and some lovely fish. What Shimano reels are u using ?

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks tim knight. They are the dl 4000FB. Great for anything up to about 60 yards (90% of my tench fishing) but if I were to buy them again I would go a size up so I could give it a longer chuck if needed

[@coldchickenpizza]

What tackle box are you using in the video?

[@PaulScowen]

It’s made by Wychwood. I got it several years ago so I’ve no idea if they still do them

[@bodybuildingABC]

do you recon i could use the same rig but use corn for the bait on the hook?

[@PaulScowen]

You could but I’d only consider using anything else if silvers were a problem.

[@antsmith8588]

Nice vid matey... Would you say your rig as improved tour catch rate at all....

[@PaulScowen]

it definitely has. I think they pick the bait out much more quickly, you can be confident it's always presented well, even if it's landed on a bit of chod, the hooking efficiency is right up there and even if you were to get done you know it resets and is fishing effectively. I think it's also much more likely to pick up those tench that often just hang/cruise over a baited spot (especially when most the bait has been eaten) and it completely does away with those frustrating early season sessions where you know the tench were having it but were constantly doing you

[@leahmay1011]

Your heli rig do you use a leader lead core fluroetc to pin line down

[@PaulScowen]

Whatever you do you need to be sure the hooklink can easily release should you suffer a break so you’re not going to tether a fish. If there is no weed between the spot and you, fluoro l would work well but that’s unlikely so it’s more realistic to fish the front edge of a baited spot. I have used a length of tungsten tubing free running on the line (it really doesn’t travel up the line on the cast) but having checked it from the boat even surprisingly light weed can hold it up so your spot needs to be fairly clear. Because of this, the heli rig is not ideal when fishing deep margin spots, small holes in weed or later in the season when there is a lot of weed. It is ideal for fishing gravel bars, humps and plateaux’s

[@leahmay1011]

@PaulScowen that's fine I understand the pop up maggot rig. But if using inline with stiff braid or mono could there be a chance of it getting stuck up on weed. But if your fishing soft braid there is also a risk of braid folding over feeder

[@PaulScowen]

@@leahmay1011 if you mean for the hooklink, I would stick to fluoro. If you mean for the mainline then, yes, it has its limitations and is best when you can fish it direct without the line getting hung up on weed. For that reason when fishing deep margins, weedy gravel pits later in the summer and for fishing small holes in the weed it’s not ideal but this time of the year (May) when the weed is manageable and when fishing bars, plateaux’s etc it is extremely effective.

[@leahmay1011]

@PaulScowen yes the hooklink meterial I'm fishing mainly through Canadian weed but have a few casts with a weed rake but can't clear it 100percent just don't want the hooklink sticking up not looking natural

[@PaulScowen]

@@leahmay1011 the rig in this video is a pop so is designed to stick up vertically. If you are raking I’m assuming that you are fishing close in. This rig will work fine as long as the margins aren’t too deep/steep causing too large an angle in your main line. It would be good to hear if you get many. Good luck

[@WERONEfishing]

oh Subbed as well pls more rigs and tips thanks

[@leahmay1011]

Do you catch many through the night

[@PaulScowen]

The odd one but generally first light up to lunchtime is best. Many tench anglers will wind in at night and get up before the crack of dawn to put their rods out ready for bite time. I struggle with waking up early so by having my rods out all night I’ll often get roused by a screamer at first light, although I’ll also often swap the tench rods for eel rods at night

[@stevewomble2337]

excellent vid, do you find you get hassled by smaller f1's a lot with the rig?

[@PaulScowen]

steve adcock the rig is best suited to low stock pits like this ☝️ if you’re on a venue where smaller fish are an issue you would probably be better advised to fish something like corn on the method feeder.

[@stevewomble2337]

@@PaulScowen Cheers Paul, I'll give bith a go and see how I get on.

[@Anguilla87]

This assembly works for eel fishing?

[@PaulScowen]

You may pick up eels if they are there but it wouldn't be a rig that I'd choose to use if specifically targeting them. In fact during May I will often use this rig during the daylight for tench then change to eel rigs at night as eels will often be attracted by the bed of maggots that has been built up.

[@greenfingers9471]

what TC rods do you use ?

[@PaulScowen]

I made this video a few years ago now but I think I was using the rods I still use now which are the Drennan distance tench and bream rods. They are 2lb tc but even though they are designed to cast further they are still soft enough not to worry about hook pulls with size 12 or even 14 hooks. Having said that I tend toward 12-10 when popped up now or size 8-10 when fishing bottom baits.

[@MrSLYTendencies]

Jesus christ this the brits way of fishing? Lol they don't put up hard fight at all their like lethargic this is boring, you guys need the Aggresive large mouth bass we have in the states now that's fishing they don't even fight when you pull them out

[@PaulScowen]

G MONEY!! Horses for courses as we say over here. From what I’ve seen you crank those bass in so fast over there that you skip them across the surface 😉 Seriously though, I love lure fishing and here in Europe we have adopted of lot of the developments you guys have made in lure fishing to fish for perch, zander and pike. Those bass are 100% on my to do list.

[@rockybarbel]

I think you've put 2&2 together and got 5 or as you'd say faaaaave