Weights – leads in UK fishing terminology – are used to cast further, anchor the bait, and create resistance for self-hooking in bolt-rig setups. The type of weight matters because different shapes behave differently on the lake bed: a round ball lead rolls on gravel, a flat pear lead anchors in silt, and a distance lead flies further and truer than either. Getting the weight type and size right for the situation reduces lost tackle, improves presentation, and in bolt-rig fishing, directly affects how well the rig hooks fish.
[Image placeholder: A selection of carp fishing leads laid on a carp mat – inline pear leads, distance bombs, square pear leads, and a helicopter lead – showing the variety of shapes used in UK carp fishing]
Shot (Split Shot)
Shot are small, round, pinched-on lead or non-toxic weights used in float fishing and light ledger setups. They come in a series of sizes, with each step approximately doubling the weight:
| Size | Approximate weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| No.4 (BB) | 0.40g | Bulk or bulk near float |
| No.6 | 0.28g | Mid-rig |
| No.8 | 0.06g | Tell-tale shot near hook |
| No.10 | 0.03g | Very light near-hook shot |
| SSG (Swan) | 1.70g | Heavy, used singly or as bulk |
| AAA | 0.80g | Second largest standard size |
Non-toxic shot: UK legislation (The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot)(England) Regulations 1999) prohibits the use of lead shot in specified SSSI waterways. Many anglers now use non-toxic (tungsten, bismuth, or steel) shot throughout for environmental reasons. Most manufacturers sell non-toxic shot in the same size range as lead.
Using shot: Shot are pinched onto the line with forceps or a disgorger. They must be removed by opening the split (not by sliding off the line, which damages the line). Never crush shot so tightly that they cut into the line.
Leger Weights and Arlesey Bombs
For ledger fishing (presenting bait on the bottom without a float), various inline or attachment weights are used:
Arlesey bomb: The classic UK ledger weight – a teardrop-shaped bomb with a swivel at the narrow end. Cast-friendly shape. Comes in weights from 5g to 50g+. Used for river ledgering, quiver tip fishing, and basic bottom-bait presentation at range. The weight runs on the line above a stop knot or swivel.
Running rig vs. fixed rig: The Arlesey bomb can be fished as a running weight (slides freely on the line so a fish can pick up the bait without feeling resistance) or semi-fixed (with a tight bead stop above the swivel that creates some resistance). For shy biting fish on rivers, a running weight produces more confident takes. For bolt-rig carp fishing, a fixed setup is used.
Carp Leads
Carp fishing uses a range of specialist leads, most significantly different from match ledger weights in that they are designed to create a bolt effect when a fish picks up the bait:
Pear lead: A pear-shaped lead with a clip or swivel attachment. The most common carp lead. The pear shape lands cleanly and the angled base can be flat (flat-bottomed pear) or round. Flat-bottomed pear leads sit stably on soft silt. Round pear leads are good for gravel and harder bottoms.
Inline lead: The line runs through the centre of the lead, exiting at a rubber tail insert. Inline leads are used in fishing situations requiring no-lead clip setups (helicopter rig, chod rig) and are preferred on some venues for safety reasons – the lead can eject from the rig if the mainline is broken, preventing tethered fish. Most serious carp venues require inline leads or lead clips on the rig.
Distance bomb: A streamlined, aerodynamic lead for maximum casting distance. Longer and narrower than a pear lead, with a low-drag profile. Used for long-range carp fishing (60-100+ metres) where a standard pear lead limits distance. Available in 3oz-5oz for distance work.
Square pear lead: A flat-faced, square-profiled pear lead that creates more resistance on the bottom, improving bolt-rig hooking efficiency. Used on very clean gravel or hard bottoms where a round lead might roll.
Flat pear lead: A flat-profiled lead designed to sink into silt slightly, which reduces the chance of the lead and rig tangle. Used on silty lake beds common in many UK carp lakes.
Lead Clips and Safety Systems
Modern UK carp fishing uses lead clip systems rather than simple in-line setups. The lead clip is a safety feature: if a fish breaks the mainline and tethers itself (a potentially fatal situation), the lead clips off when the fish exerts pressure, freeing the fish to swim without drag.
Standard lead clip: A plastic clip with a rubber buffer that holds the lead’s swivel. When significant force is applied (a fish tethered on a broken line), the lead pulls free of the clip. Used with a swivel-equipped pear lead.
Tail rubber: The rubber sleeve that holds the lead on the clip in normal use but releases under high force. The stiffness of the tail rubber determines how easily the lead ejects. Soft tail rubbers eject more easily (better safety) but may eject during the cast on heavier leads.
In-line inline ejecting systems: Some anglers use inline leads with a flexible exit that allows the lead to eject through the inline bore when the required force is applied. More complex but creates a very clean rig presentation.
Most UK commercial fisheries require: Either an inline lead or a lead clip and tail rubber setup. Leads tied directly to the line (without a release mechanism) are generally banned on commercial fisheries.
Lead Weights for Feeder Fishing
Feeders (open-frame or cage weights that hold groundbait or loose bait) have their own weight range:
Open-end feeder: A cylinder with open ends, filled with groundbait. Available in 15-40g. Used for bream, roach, and general feeder fishing.
Cage feeder: Similar to open-end but an open wire-frame cage allows bait to escape faster. Used for slow-releasing groundbait presentations.
Method feeder lead: Flat frame lead with wings for loading groundbait via a mould. Available in 15-35g. Used for carp fishing on commercial fisheries.
Maggot feeder: A perforated tube weight that releases maggots slowly. Used for targeting roach, bream, and barbel.
Choosing the Right Lead Weight
| Situation | Recommended lead | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Float fishing, river/still | Split shot (No.4-BB) | Precise small weights for float control |
| River ledger, quiver tip | Arlesey bomb 10-25g (running) | Good cast, running for sensitivity |
| Feeder fishing | Method/cage feeder 15-35g | Holds and releases groundbait |
| Commercial carp, medium range | Pear lead 2-3oz on lead clip | Bolt rig, 50-60m range |
| Distance carp fishing | Distance bomb 3-5oz | Aerodynamic for 80-120m range |
| Silty lake carp | Flat pear lead 2-3oz | Sits stably in silt |
| Helicopter/chod rig | Inline lead 2-3oz | Required for helicopter presentation |
Legislation and Environmental Considerations
Lead in the environment: Lead shot and leads lost in fishing contribute to environmental lead contamination. Non-toxic alternatives (tungsten, bismuth, steel) are available for all applications. While only lead shot in specified SSSI waterways is legally restricted, many anglers have voluntarily switched to non-toxic shot for all fishing as good environmental practice.
Lead on canals: Some CaRT waters and specific fisheries discourage or prohibit lead weights above certain sizes. Check local rules.
Recycling: Lead can be recycled – many tackle shops accept old leads. Don’t discard leads in waterways or on the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a running lead and a fixed lead in carp fishing?
A running lead slides freely on the mainline, allowing a fish to pick up the bait and move some distance before feeling resistance. This produces more confident takes from cautious fish. A fixed or semi-fixed lead is locked at a point on the line, so any movement by the fish pulling the bait immediately telegraphs force back to the lead – this is the “bolt” in bolt-rig fishing and drives the hook home without the angler needing to strike.
How heavy a lead do I need for distance carp fishing?
For casting to 60-80 metres, a 2.5-3oz (70-85g) lead is standard. For 80-100+ metre casting, a 3-4oz lead (85-113g) is needed. Distance leads (streamlined bombs) cast further than pear leads of the same weight – the aerodynamic shape reduces drag in flight. Rod power is also critical – a 3.5lb TC rod can cast a 3oz lead further than a 2.5lb TC rod.
Are inline leads safer than lead clip setups?
Both systems aim to achieve the same goal: freeing the lead from a tethered fish. An inline lead with an ejecting rubber can achieve this but requires the hole through the bore to be large enough for the lead to pass through the rig in practice. A lead clip is more reliable as a standard safety system on most UK commercial fisheries. Both are significantly better than a lead tied directly to the mainline.
What is shot made of if not lead?
Non-toxic shot substitutes include tungsten (heavier than lead by volume, similar size but no toxicity), bismuth (slightly lighter than lead, most similar behaviour), and steel (lighter than lead, requires slightly larger shot for same weight). Tungsten shot is generally preferred for its density and similar behaviour to lead.
Why do some leads have a flat bottom?
Flat-bottomed or square pear leads sit stably on soft lake bed substrates – silt, weed, debris. A round lead may tip or roll on impact with the lake bed, disturbing the rig presentation. A flat base creates more stability, keeping the rig in the position it landed and preventing the hooklink from tangling with the lead.