Gemini Splashdown

New technology is always slow to travel to my part of Clare so I dont know how new these Gemini Splashdows are.
They are a lead with a built in baitclip which guarantees not to release the baited hook during the cast and then guarentees it will be released on impact.


The lead body itself has moulded flutes which drive water up against the plastic washer and pushes a rather complicated looking locking system.
When I first clipped a pennel mounted sandeel into the lead I noticed how tight a 4/0 hook fitted into the clip and how the head of the sandeel appeared to be obstructing the washer system.

Where the lead proved itself was on the first cast which was into near headwind, the close-coupling of bait to lead made it very streamline and I was able to deliver a sandeel a good diastance. during the session it never came unclipped during the cast and was released when I retrieved it.
Two things I can see that could be a problem: Firstly on a cold night numb fingers might struggle to insert the hook into the fiddley bait clip and secondly as I was given this lead I have no idea what they will cost here. A five ounce retails at around £2.60 in the Uk. If they were much dearer than the Breakaway impact leads that have serve me well for years I dont think I would fork out for them, but for those who require small baits, nicely presented at distance Gemini Splashdowns could be the purfect choice.
If you have tried them let me know what you think

now using them instead of impact leads, which i have used for years!

Does anyone know the dimensions of the clip compared to impact leads? All my clipdowns are made to impact leads

they are very good indeed.. make life alot easier

yeah i use them aswell, great lead and it never fails to release the bait, im thinking about buying the mould kit. just hope there not too hard to assemble.

john

Was in a tackle shop today that i buy from regularily and the guy gave me a couple of these to try out, there has been some thought put into these leads. Can't wait to try them out

Regards

They look good, i wonder how the release mechanism will cope with clogging up with sand.
could be good for off the ground casting aswell i'd say, here's a link for the kits.
http://www.gemini-tackle.co.uk/splashdown.html

One of the good things about them is that you can bait up a spare rig and clip it up and it's ready for casting, no releasing while you clip the rig to the mainline, and I know most of you never do it, but quite often when I'm casting from the rocks and cant get much of a backswing the lead clips the ground and the bait is released. That dosn't happen with these.
I am sure that they increase distance with an aerodynamic bait but it may only be as a result of the confidence to whack it knowing it wont release mid-air. As for the sand, it seems to clog the gripper more than the release system but a quick dip in water clears them out. I still find them fiddly and doubt my ability to use them in extreme cold, but for now I think I will get a few more.

hi. i just made up a batch of these weights your asking about. the mould is very easy to work with and has the three settings inside so there is 130, 150 and 170 i think.as for buying them from the tackle shops they are so much cheaper to make them, and i know if you have the lead spare and a burner . but the ends and clips are cheep to buy on the net and i think a very good weight to use.