Tiny jigs for steelhead

[TheHunt]

I am feeling better that others are using those dumbbells like I have been using. 

[Smossy]

Anyone else out there use steely beads? Im curious as to how these work and how they're setup..

[_TONY_]

Only things I use on my pin wheel rod...

[TheHunt]

I have a set with me when I fish.  One thing you need to consider with the steely beads is how the bead is secured to the line.  What I have found is that using a tooth pick to pin the bead to the line will squish or damage the line.  If you use the plastic pins to pin the beads to the line it does not seem to damage the line.

Now if you use light line 8 lb it will make a difference.  If you are using heavy line like 12 lb I would just use a tooth pick.

Oh yea,   Heavy Beads is another product similar to Steely Beads. 

[snowpack]

have you tried using the thread bobber stops?

[_TONY_]

IMO the only thing to use is the little rubber stops that you pull onto your leader... Adjustable, don't slip, and don't damage the leader.

[TheHunt]

I did use the threaded bobber stops but like Tony I went to the rubber.   WAY better with braid line.  I use 30 lb Power Pro.

[7mmfan]

Go buy a box of the little rubber bands they make for braces. You can get a case of the dang things for a couple bucks, it'll last you forever. They are just the right size to pull through a bead to secure it.

[Smossy]

Do u just put a single bead a few inches up from the hook or what? Floating bead or what?

[7mmfan]

Heavy beads or steely beads are weighted beads so they sink like a rock. You can fish them right on the hook, but the common way to rig them is to "peg" or secure the bead one way or another, a couple inches from the hook. It looks more natural and the hook ups tend to be better.

You can also use any plastic bead. They tend to be pretty neutral as far as bouancy goes. Troutbeads are pouplar, check out troutbeads.com. Lots of good colors. I generally just go buy cheap orange or red plastic beads and put some fingernail polish on them to change the colors up a little.

[_TONY_]

Do u just put a single bead a few inches up from the hook or what? Floating bead or what?

I use two of those small rubber stops, one on each side if the bead... leaving about a 1/4inch play between the stop and the bead on each side. This give a natural rolling motion in the current, simular to a single egg rolling down the current. I only use beads with floats.

You'll want to set your bead about 2" above your hook, never have it just sitting on the hook.  also, hook size is VERY important when fishing beads... smaller the better, like a #4...

[TheHunt]

I put the bead about 3 inches above the hook.  You can do this below a bobber.  I think people call this Montana rigging.

[_TONY_]

also, dont buy beads from internet fishing sights, or fly shops... Just go to an actual craft bead store and buy them yourself... WAY cheaper.

[Smossy]

also, dont buy beads from internet fishing sights, or fly shops... Just go to an actual craft bead store and buy them yourself... WAY cheaper.

So its just a normal solid bead then? Nothing fancy... sounds do-able. Waighted unded a float just like you would normally float fish?

[Smossy]

16 1/2 pound steely at work today