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The idea of a lift-off type of indicator that rests on the line and provides minimal resistance was first seen in an article called “Cutting out the Clip” in Pike and Predators issue110 January 2007. This discussed different options of design and materials for producing a seesaw, pivot action type indicator. The first one was made during a fishing session out of a biro tube loaded with split shot.
The indicator has since been developed further using lightweight alloy tubes loaded with stainless steel balls and aptly named The Rollover. In this article we will look at how to set and use the Rollover. It was initially designed to reduce resistance when fishing for shy biting fish such as perch, eels and zander and, since the sensitivity load adjustment goes down to zero tolerance, it will cope admirably with such circumstances. However, it has proved to be a very versatile tool that is equally at home with resistance rigs, bolt rigs and more. Whether you are long range fishing for bream, margin fishing for tench or livebaiting for pike this indicator will fit the bill.
The balance has been tried, tested and finely tuned to suit the angler. The weight load bearing on the line can be adjusted to suit the conditions and the balance action has been carefully calibrated so that the indicator will roll over and lift off the line whatever weight loading is applied. Lighter more sensitive settings will register gentle bites from small roach while the heavier settings will cope with a large livebait or a flowing river. The final product is finished with an attractive red or silver anodized coating on all the alloy components, consisting of two types of tubing and a fixed pivot disc with a matching adjustable counterbalance disc. The kit comes complete with a chain and spacer to take additional weight loading; and a choice from three sizes of bankstick attachments, each with a stainless thumbwheel and a detachable u-shaped, spring loaded indicator attachment.
The indicator is very easy to set. It lies on top of the line which is simply tucked under the bent end claw to be held in position between the claw and the wire line-stop. To obtain maximum sensitivity, it is best to position the rollover indicator on the rear rest so that the end claw is aligned below the reel. It is so very easy to set, simply push it down on top of the line.
When a taking fish raises the indicator the ball bearings will roll along the tube and past the pivot point at which stage the indicator lifts off the line and, as such, there is no point of increased resistance.
The weight load bearing on the line is adjusted by moving the counterbalance weight. It may be necessary to move the counterbalance along the tube to apply a weight load in order to stop the indicator from being lifted upwards by the current. On a small stillwater with little underwater tow the indicator will hold its position when the counterbalance is right at the very end of the tube, on the lightest setting. However, on most large stillwaters, there is considerable underwater drag and the counterbalance needs to be moved part of the way along the tube to apply a slight loading. To apply maximum loading, the counterbalance is moved along the tube until it reaches the central pivot disc. This gives a front end loading that is enough to hold the indicator down in most conditions and most anglers find they never need to add any extra weight.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to add extra weight. On large windswept waters and in storms or floods the indicator may require a heavier loading. There are different options available for extra weight loading. The first option is to use the detachable counterbalance as a weight. Slide the counterbalance off the main tube, attach it to the weight spacer tube, which is attached to the chain, and secure with the thumbscrew. The loaded spacer tube is then slid on to the stainless steel wire weight arm; this is the diagonal wire that has been carefully angled so that the weight loading will drop off the arm as the indicator rises.
Another option is to add plumbers lead solder when additional weighting is required. The indicator has proved to be popular and there has been some interesting feedback from satisfied customers, such as this tip from Colin Brown from Cheshire PAC. After using the Rollovers to win a pike match on Loch Ken he recommended adding plumbers lead solder when additional weighting is required. Colin says “hey ho I use the rollovers all the time now, and they are brilliant. They are the best indicators I have ever used for pike fishing ever.”
A roll of solder doesn’t cost much and is easy to obtain. A 4 to 5 inch length weighs approximately the same as the counterbalance weight. Wrap a length of lead solder round the spacer tube provided with the rollover kit and squeeze it on to the tube with some pliers to fix it in place. Extra weight can be added until the load is critically balanced to have just enough weight to hold against the tow or current, this should not be too heavy a load that could impede a shy-biting fish. When using this option, of coiling lead solder around the spacer tube, the counterbalance weight can be left on the main tube. If conditions are extreme and extra weight is required the weighted spacer is slid onto the weight arm to add an extra loading.
Colin Brown 24.07 March 2009
When a run occurs, just before the indicator tube reaches the horizontal position, the spacer tube drops off the weight arm. It then dangles on the attached chain, leaving the indicator free to do its rollover and lift off the mainline.
The indicator will also cope with a more extreme loading and to provide extra tension up to 3oz can be put on the weight arm. This may act as a bolt for resistance rigs or may provide ‘anchorage’ in flood conditions.
Setting and using the rollover may sound a bit complex here in print but in practice it really is quite simple. The overhead rollover action makes setting it so much more user friendly than fiddling about with line-clips. It doesn’t take long to get the measure of the weight sensitivity adjustments; or to become on the alert for the sound of the ball bearings hitting the bottom of the tube. With drop offs I used to listen for the sound of the line-clip snapping off the line but these days I am on the alert for the distinctive rattle, roll and clunk of the Rollover turning over. After a special fishing session and the excitement of catching a special fish; the imprinted memory of the sound of ball bearings hitting the end of the tube lingers on - a welcoming sound, the sound of success. You do have to remember to store them upright in the car on the way home though!
On a recent winter zander fishing trip to a large reservoir on The River Ebro in Spain we located hungry shoals of small, shy-biting, schoolie zander. They were so very wary of any resistance and gave very gentle pulls on the line. We scaled down to use tiny baits and single size 4 and 6 hooks. This was a good testing ground for the Rollover and it made all the difference as it performed perfectly on the lighter more sensitive settings and accounted for many small zander on half bleak baits. Then we moved to the nearby River Segre which was flowing like The Severn. Here the indicator was used on heavier setting to hold perfectly in the flowing water where it accounted for several larger zander, including three doubles.
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The Rollover was first made available to members of The National Anguilla Club where it has been extensively field tested and proved to be popular enough to be regarded by many as a favourite item of tackle. Some good specimens have already been caught by members while using the Rollover indicator for eels, pike, zander and perch.
Photographs – Mark Salt 28.01 Pike – southern Stillwater; Kev Payne 5.04 eel - Lincs Stillwater; Steve Dawe 3lb perch - Devon Stillwater; Neil Wilkinson 16.02 - midlands stillwater zander
Customer satisfaction has been reflected in some of the quotes. I was directed to this posted on one of the forums
“Well the resistance nemesis has been well and truly kicked back into the last century. These little babies are adjustable to the extent where they could be used for legering for Roach (not joking) - they are mega sensitive.
Had the Delks set at no.4 sensitivity and one take moved the indicator significantly before the alarm bleeped.
As there is no clip to pull the line from, there is no point of increased resistance - absolute perfection. I was just fishing for the Pike but really want to give the Middle level drain a bash for the Zeds.
I'm just going to customize them with some reflective tape and look into how to stick an isotope onto them without affecting their operation.
I reckon if you are into your predators these things are a must!”
You can buy your own set of Rollovers and spares here |
