Policemen, what are they for?

[fishingjack]

You might just about be able to see that i have an LED stuck into the floats hanging on my line. I turn them on at night

 

[RUSSELL EVERITT]

Why don't we just loosen the ratchet , very loose , and let the fish run with it , you hear it clearly , I have been using policemen for many years and it only helps to notify you is there is a small fish nibbling on your bait then you have to strike , when your reel runs the fish is already ON , and you don't even have to strike , do you guys think I am wrong on this give me your thoughts.

 

[Rooibok]

You don't hear it clearly with most carp reels. Thats why we use alarms.
Yes when the carp runs the hook is already set.

 

[RUSSELL EVERITT]

I also use an alarm , what I am saying is "the policeman" is of no use unless you are trying to catch small fish.

 

[Rooibok]

Yes...It is of no use when it comes to securing the hookup. But I like the little glow sticks in the dark on my lines.
We dont switch on any lights when we sit there in the night...only the stars, moon and glow sticks

 

[Enigma]

Even in "Specimen Angling"there is a place for them and especially in close margin fishing with a small light indicator (Policeman) as it is silent and immediately betrays a carp in on the mousetrap or mouthing the bait.

Even more so when a free runing rig or weightless rig is being used.

Long range not needed or functional, if your rig is correct and your hook sharp it won't be needed.

Yes the primary use of the Policeman as mentioned earlier in the thread is purely as a bite indicator in "RSA Feeder Style Bank Angling "Conventional angling"

 

[IWyk]

They will indicate back biting fish if you are not using swingers.

Also usefull when targeting skelm fish like muddies. They are very sensitive and will indicate presence of fish at your bait long before any ratchet or alarm.

And finaly in days gone by they where responsible for keeping law and order, sadly no more