|  Although pike anglers are always dreaming up rigs to
deal with specific situations or to overcome particular problems there are a couple
of simple rigs that are easy to set up with the most basic of tackle, and are
both successful and safe for the pike. They will also work well in most circumstances!
Neither
of these rigs involves the use of specialised tackle, and because they incorporate
floats you will have no need for expensive bite alarms to detect takes - provided
you keep a close watch on the floats! The
first rig is a float leger rig for use with deadbaits. Set the rig up as shown
on the right, with the float slightly overdepth. As soon as the float starts to
move off or goes under you should strike. With
all rigs ensure that your main line is at least fifteen pounds in breaking strain,
and that your wire traces are well made from wire of
at least 30lb test. Use a reliable knot to join trace
to line. | 
NEWS
The
second rig is a paternoster which can be used with dead or live baits. With the
paternoster link tied to the eye of the upper treble (as shown on the left) a
livebait cannot swim up and around the mainline - and so the risks of a pike biting
through the line when it takes the bait are almost nil.
By removing
the float, stop knot and two of the beads from the float leger rig you have a
straight leger rig. In very windy conditions this will hold your bait in position
more efficiently, as a float can be dragged by the waves. The leger weight can
be increased to two, or even three ounces, with no loss of sensitivity of the
rig as it is free running. If the bottom you are fishing over is snaggy add a
short