Customised Fox indicators

I've been using my Fox drop off indicators for a while now and while they look the business I've never been happy about their lack of sensitivity for the 'gates' opening up when I get a take.
I've actually seen the bobbin hit the reel, the gate fail to open and the rod tip ending up banging with a fish on trying to take the bait!
USELESS!
So I was looking for options................
While Fox may praise the new gates they're no good for me on my water. The fish can sometimes be really finicky and give very light bite indication so I need something to suit my needs.
Now I know some anglers use a bobbin set up like for carp because the line frees off the clip more easily and it got me thinking what if i could customise my Fox indicators?
Well with time on my hands due to the weather thats what I did today!

Here's the originals


I found a set of old cheap bobbins waiting for the scrap heap


Then with the aid of a hacksaw everything parted company and I drilled out the body to take the new part


The final solution


Well I have to say I'm pleased with the end result.
Next time out I can set the clips up as light as I want and don't have to reply on something that is pretensioned with a factory setting.
I'll let you know how everything works out next time I get a run. (weather permitting! )

nice modification mate you shouldnt have any problems with those clips now, i had similar problems with the gates on my micron p's so i ended up modding mine as well.... no hacksaw though just a cut down hair grip and a couple of beads on the gate itself..... they work a treat. i'll show you when we eventually meet up.

Cheers Rob.
All I need now is a fish to test it out! lol

Nightwatchman wrote,
I've actually seen the bobbin hit the reel, the gate fail to open and the rod tip ending up banging with a fish on trying to take the bait!

Hi Nightwatchman, the cause of your problem is not due to your indicators,
the problem lies with your lead, t is moving when a pike moves away with your bait,

the rod tip banging you describe above, is caused by your lead waight bouncing along the lake bed, once your lead weight moves poor indication can follow, mimimum 3oz lead should cure your problem.
hope this helps,
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

I usually use between 2 and a half and 3oz leads, but it's definitely Pike as on the occasions it happens I've been fishing very close in. Usually in the margins to the left of my peg (say 6 to 8 ft) and on all but a few occasions when I've picked up the rod I've felt a resistance. If I'm lucky I'll set the hook home but on occasion I miss. Probably due to the fish dropping the bait when it feels the indicator smacking against the reel!
This fish did exactly as I described above but I think it must have hooked itself from the resistance of the rod tip. lol



I'll know for sure if I've achieved what I'm after once I get a chance to fish an ice free water.

They look spot on nightwatchman

Maybe you should send some pics off to Fox and let them know about the trouble you have had with them !!

You never know They might even get back in touch with you lol

Good luck with them mate When the Ice decides to clear that is

Adie

Definetely pike picking up your bait nightwatchman, but pike are not feeling resistance from your indicator smacking against your reel, they are feeling any resistance from your weight, because they are towing it around,
which is evident because your rod tip is quivering.

It's your lead set up that's the problem nothing wrong with your indicators.

I've just bought my first fox drop offf indicator. I only bought one (I'm fishing three rods at the moment) as I wanted to test it first. Used it twice this weekend and got two runs. It seemed to work fine. I think you can adjust the tension on the gate by rotating it. It worked for me and the line came out of the clip on both ocassions.

Well theres only one way to find out lads.
Bring on the fish!!

I'll monitor the situation and if I'm still getting rod movement with the new indicator I might have to step up to 4oz leads!
Don't want to go that way but we will see over the course of the winter.
I'm always willing to tweak my approach until I find the best way of nailing them!

Marty Mac wrote:I've just bought my first fox drop offf indicator. I only bought one (I'm fishing three rods at the moment) as I wanted to test it first. Used it twice this weekend and got two runs. It seemed to work fine. I think you can adjust the tension on the gate by rotating it. It worked for me and the line came out of the clip on both ocassions.

Nice work Marty.

I'm a believer that Pike act differently on different waters.
Some will take bait firmly and with confidence while others will be more delicate and unsure.
I'm just finding ways of catching the latter!

Mark Barrett posted this in response to a similar thread on the PAC forum

Funy thing here, I was talking to a bloke on the banks of the 16ft the other day, and he was slagging off the gate opening clips, saying that they were crap and never opened etc etc. I then took him down to mine and showed him the correct way to set them up, and just how easily they opened when set correctly.

I bet in 99% of the occassions its angler error that is making them not work. The gate opening drop offs should be set behind the lip of the spool. if it is in front or level, it wont work, behind it, they work like a dream.

Personally,I prefer the swinger attached to a front alarm and I don't see that the heavier lead should be an issue...but weren't we on this subject last week and no one replied?

Andy Webster

Andy

You could be right but I believe humans act differently at different times of the year and in different parts of the country:lol!:

Thanks for the info,

Fox already make a model like your modified version...

http://www.foxint.com/catalogues-products.php?lang=&product=312&catalogue=3&section=29

Marty Mac wrote:Andy

You could be right but I believe humans act differently at different times of the year and in different parts of the country:lol!:

Thanks for the info,

I didn't think about that post before I pressed SUBMIT...

I've been trying out one of Billys Back Biters on one rod and my old set up of a fox drop off/front micron.

All i'm gonna say is that Steve at Billy's will soon be recieving more orders....SOooo much better than the fox drop offs in every way.