Arlesey Bomb’s
I like to keep things simple and one of the simplest bits of kit an angler can use is an Arlesey bomb. To perceive the Arlesey bomb as just a casting weight is to miss it’s potential. Originally designed for fishing at long range, the aerodynamic shape allows the bomb to fly further and without tumbling in the air.
The aerodynamic shape also keeps the bomb travelling nose first under water. The bomb will usually land on the lake or river bed with the swivel at the top. This is perfect for a running ledger rig. The nose of the bomb is buried and the swivel is poking above the mud. Size of the lead and the softness of the mud need to be considered, but remembering the bomb will usually land nose fist into the mud can be useful.
I often fish a very silty lake for Roach using a paternoster rig with an Arlesey bomb. With the rig cast out and my feeder rod in it’s rests, I tighten down until the tip bends. The tip will be exerting a pull on the bomb, not enough to pull it free, but enough so that the added pull of a Roach bite will cause the lead to release from the mud. As soon as the bomb moves, the rod tip will spring back straight indicating a bite.
With a little trial and error on the day, this rig can be very sensitive giving a positive indication to quite a tentative Roach bite. Clearly a line bite could cause an indication, but on the whole it’s usually Roach eating the bait. The size of the bomb and the strength of the tip can be varied to take account of conditions. I have found this simple idea to be most effective.
