Is the angling industry doing enough regarding rig safety?

The big question

Is the angling industry doing enough to make anglers aware of the safety issues when using the various lead clips and helicopter set-ups of today?

Kevin Nash (Nash Tackle MD)

“As an individual, I think I can say with conviction that I have done more than my share in developing and promoting safe rigs. Indeed, the whole lead discharge thing, and other developments aimed at landing carp efficiently by reducing the number of potential snag-ups or cut lines, are down to me. I still champion safe tackle awareness wherever I can. I covered the subject extensively in my book, Memoirs of a Carp Fisher – The Demon Eye. This passion and consciousness is ingrained and reflected through Nash Tackle, and so other companies have followed us, if for no other reason than we produce commercially successful products. Conversely, in their efforts to get around our patents, make a product look different, or simply because of their lack of understanding, there are more than a few examples of where carp safety has actually taken a step backwards.”

Leon Bartropp (Respected carp angler)

“A difficult question to answer this one as any piece of end tackle in the wrong hands has potential safety issues. The real problem is, a lot of companies produce a piece of equipment, then they test it, all is okay, so they bring it out only to find that in the wrong hands it can be an issue. But, because of the costs involved, they keep producing it, which is wrong in my mind. Some companies take a long time to test everything properly, like clips and helicopter systems that eject the lead or hooklink, where others cut corners. So to answer your question, some do, some don’t, it’s only by using the said items that you will find out for yourself which ones have put the products through their paces, but by then the companies have made their cash and are working on the next batch of products.”