| There are many bait clips on the market. | | | | is the market leader for simplicity and |
| Everyone including myself seems to be asked | | | | effectiveness. However since then there have |
| which is the best bait clip and what makes it | | | | been new designs brought to the table allowing us |
| different from the rest. Well in this article I will go | | | | the angler a spoilt choice of bait clips to try out. |
| through the pros and cons of bait clips and how | | | | Here are some pointers to look at: Cost, |
| they may improve your fishing. | | | | Effectiveness, Set up time and how well they suit |
| What is a bait clip? | | | | your needs whilst fishing different methods. The |
| A bait clip is a device that allows you to clip down | | | | Breakaway Impact Shield can be added to any rig |
| your snoods or trace lines on your rigs thus | | | | design of your choice with a simple rubber tube |
| reducing the risk of tangles and also to present | | | | holding it in place. Unfortunately it is not the |
| baits effectively at distance. The use without a | | | | easiest bait clip for large baits at distance and |
| bait clip can result in your bait being thrown off | | | | sometimes can fail to unclip if you go down that |
| the hook during a power cast or even worse | | | | route. For Sandeel squid and worm baits it's a |
| hitting the water's surface and coming off the | | | | great all round clip to use and very easy to apply. |
| hook without realising and then you sit there | | | | These clips are used a lot in distance rigs. |
| watching your rod tip for bites thinking the bait is | | | | Breakaway Imps, these are quite smart, The |
| presented nicely on the bottom when in fact it's | | | | advantage with these is that there is no need to |
| been eaten ages ago by a school of Bass. Anglers | | | | incorporate the clip into your rig design, This clip |
| refer the use of a bait clip to a distance rig; by | | | | clips onto a Breakaway Fastlink which connects |
| clipping down the trace and bait it makes your rig | | | | your rig to your lead weight allowing you to use |
| more aerodynamic thus giving you a better | | | | any sized weight and rig design you wish. |
| distance when casting out. | | | | Disadvantage with these is that they don't offer |
| Main design types on the market | | | | as much protection during the cast as the famous |
| Breakaway Impact Shield | | | | Impact Shield. |
| A simple hook over system which physically | | | | Gemini Alpha Clips are great for large baits and |
| ejects the baited hook on impact with the water. | | | | also multiple hook rigs as they have a nice long |
| The cone shaped cap above the hook acts as a | | | | wire that sticks out with plenty of space to clip |
| windshield to protect your bait from being broken | | | | the hooks down. The only thing with the Alpha clip |
| apart by the rapidly passing stream of air during a | | | | that I found not to my liking is that in the winter |
| cast. | | | | when your fingers feel like they are going to drop |
| Breakaway Imp (Imp2) Miniature combination | | | | off or for people who have no patience! This clip |
| impact bait clip which works in conjunction with a | | | | can be fiddly to setup and clip down baits. |
| fast link Easy to use with fool-proof hook release, | | | | Breakaway Relay clips are a simple solution to a |
| excellent in flight stability and offers bait | | | | problem! It's just a clip! They could not be easier |
| protection during the cast. They can be used with | | | | to use. They have no mechanism or release |
| any type of sinker. | | | | system, and can be incorporated into any of your |
| Gemini Alpha Bait Clip | | | | rigs, however because there is no function as |
| A streamlined, releasable bait clip, that has the | | | | such they sometimes can fail to release baits at |
| advantageous option of the one slider holding and | | | | short distances. Breakaway Impact Leads are my |
| reliably releasing one or two bait clips, or placing | | | | personal favourite and is the newest clip on the |
| two single clips in line for larger baits. | | | | market, this clip very rarely fail to release the |
| Breakaway Relay Clips | | | | hook, they are very streamlined because they |
| A neat plastic bait clip which is fitted on to the | | | | are incorporated into the lead, and as with the |
| trace line preventing it from accidently pulling out | | | | imps they can be added to any rig to make it clip |
| of the rig tubing also this clip is very adjustable. | | | | down. Impact Leads are available in different sizes |
| Breakaway Impact Lead A combined lead and | | | | and types ranging from Grip Lead styles to |
| bait clip system. Very well designed as a | | | | Flatfish leads. The only problem I have found with |
| streamlined lead which allows you to create a | | | | these is if you fish a beach that has very coarse |
| streamlined rig in seconds by securing the baited | | | | sand you may need to clean the sand out from |
| hook so that good casting distances can be | | | | under the cone to stop it jamming before you |
| achieved. As soon as the lead hits the water the | | | | cast it back out. Otherwise the plastic cone |
| coloured plastic tip is forced upwards releasing the | | | | cannot push your hook off the clip on impact. |
| hook so that the rig is free to fall into its intended | | | | Overall this clip is second to none! |
| formation in the water. | | | | Remember what ever bait clip you decide to use |
| So which one do I use? | | | | make sure you are comfortable with it and that it |
| To start they are all priced differently with the | | | | does the job. However for all you Impact Shield |
| relay clip being the cheapest and the Imps & | | | | Anglers out there, why not try something new |
| Impact Leads being the most expensive. Most | | | | this year and see if it can improve your fishing, |
| Anglers would of heard or be using the | | | | with so many new designs you might just find |
| Breakaway Impact Shield bait clip for years as it | | | | the cure to your bait clipping problems or needs. |