I was asked the other day what I thought was the best bait stop. It’s a great question and a problem many new and inexperienced anglers struggle with. I actually use a variety and I’ll explain why.

When using rigs without bait stops that clip the hooks down for casting, during the cast air pressure will force the bait upwards off the hook and onto the hook trace line leaving the hook bare.

For smaller baits, say an inch or so of worm or a small mackerel strip, for targeting flatties, whiting and smaller species, a simple rubber rig or float stop and a sequin is fine. This keeps the bait tight and compact on the hook and maintains presentation. If there is a problem its finding float or rig stops that actually grip line below 0.35mm (roughly 15lbs) tight enough to hold the baits in place. It’s a case of trying a few and finding the best. The Tronix ones are pretty good!  Look for the ones that are hard to the feel, not soft and pliable, as these slide easily and also can break up.

At a pinch you can also use two rubber stops in tandem to increase the friction on the line for more security.

Sequin bait stop with TronixPro rubber stop

For slightly bigger baits, say 3-inches of lug or rag, and lines of 20 to 30lbs, you can use the Sakuma adjustable crimps, but slide a bead on below the crimp to keep the bait in place. You can crimp the crimp just tight enough on lines over 20lbs to slide under pressure, which is enough to stop the bait blowing back up the hook length, but still easy to slide to readjust if you use a longer length of bait, such as a sandeel.

I personally prefer to use a 3mm length of Gemini Neoprene tubing taking the hook trace through the tube as normal, but then bringing it back over on its self and back through the same hole, then pulling both end of the line tight to double the tubing over and lock it in place. This grips really well and with a bead below makes a very secure bait stop.

Bead and neoprene bait stop

An alternative to the above is to use 14lb Powergum as the stop.  Knot this above the hook on to the hook trace using a 5-turn water knot and pull very tight. The Powergum grips the trace line really well and is difficult to move even with hard finger pressure. Add a 5mm bead below the Powergum knot and you’re hot to trot!

When I’m fishing much bigger fish baits, say when targeting huss, conger and rays from rock ledges and using 40 to 80lb line, then you need something much more secure. In this situation I opt for Powergum again, but this time in 22lbs breaking strain. Use a 6 to 8-turn water knot and pull the Powergum down really tight. Leave it for a few seconds and pull it down again. Now trim the ends off, but leave about a quarter of an inch of tag end facing towards the hook for the bead to butt up against. For normal ray and huss baits a 5mm bead is more than enough. However, when fishing really big baits for conger, I go for an 8mm bead.

Powergum and bead bait stop

There are a few commercially made bait stops. The Fox Bait Stops, which I actually designed when at Fox as a consultant, came in 4mm and 8mm sizes to suit small and big baits and simply slid on to and gripped the line. John Roberts, well known in carp fishing accessories, also do a slide on and grip plastic bait stop in a 5mm size. These are a simple, quick and effective option as an alternative.

As mentioned then, a simple bit of tackle we give little real thought to, yet it’s a vital part of any rig that utilises a clipped down hook when casting. Risk a bait without a bait stop and you might well end up fishing an empty hook!