Leads, Backleads & Split Shot

Carp leads come in more shapes than most anglers realise, and the shape you pick changes how far it casts, how it sits on the bottom and how well it sets the hook. eTackle brings inline, swivel and helicopter leads together with the backleads and pop-up weights that finish a rig off, shows the lowest live price on each from reputable UK online tackle shops, and lets you set a price drop alert on anything you would rather wait for.

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Flat and square pears stay put on a slope or in flowing water, while distance and dumpy shapes are built to fly further and cut through the wind. Textured and coated finishes help a lead blend into gravel, silt or weed.

Backleads pin the line to the bottom behind the rig so it does not spook fish in the swim. Pop-up weights and shot fine-tune a buoyant hookbait so it sits just off the lakebed.

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How to Choose a Carp Lead

Lead weight should suit the rod and the range. Most carp fishing uses leads of around 2 to 4oz, with a heavier lead helping to set the hook on a bolt rig and a lighter one suiting close-range and margin work.

Inline leads have a tube through the middle, so the hooklink connects directly and the bolt effect is firm. Swivel leads are usually fished on a lead clip, which lets the lead drop free if a fish reaches weed or snags.

Helicopter leads suit silt and weed, where the hooklink can rise above the lead and settle on top of the debris. Grapple and textured leads grip the bottom in flowing water or on steep margins.

For distance work, a streamlined distance or dumpy lead casts further and flies straighter than a flat pear. Flat and square pears hold bottom better on slopes, bars and rivers.

Backleads, Pop-Up Weights and Shot

A backlead slides down the mainline to pin it to the lakebed, keeping line out of the way of feeding fish. Captive backleads stay on the line while you play the fish, while clip-on types can be added or removed without retying.

Pop-up weights and shot counterbalance a buoyant hookbait so it hovers at the height you want. Tungsten versions are denser, so a smaller weight does the same job.

There are 41 leads and weights here. Every listing shows the lowest live price we can find across reputable online tackle shops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size lead should I use for carp fishing?

Most carp anglers use leads of around 2 to 4oz. A heavier lead helps set the hook on a bolt rig at range, while a lighter lead suits close-range and margin fishing.

What is the difference between an inline lead and a swivel lead?

An inline lead has a tube through the middle so the hooklink connects directly, giving a firm bolt effect. A swivel lead attaches to a lead clip, which lets it come free if a fish reaches weed or snags.

What does a backlead do?

A backlead pins the mainline to the bottom behind your rig. That keeps the line out of the water above the swim, where it can spook fish and cause line bites.

Which lead shape casts the furthest?

Streamlined distance and dumpy leads fly further and straighter than flat or square pears. Flat pears give up some distance for better grip on slopes, bars and flowing water.

What is a marker lead used for?

A marker lead is dragged back slowly after the cast so you can feel whether the bottom is gravel, silt or weed. It is usually paired with a marker float to find depth and features before you cast your rigs.