I guess from the responses here, you can take the answer as "it depends on where, when, what kind of water" . I use both ways depending on the water, and whether or not I'm in a boat.

I think a fixed lead is better in "pocket" water, wher you have to get down quickly and the holes are smaller.

I use sliders when side drifting bair from a boat, but you have to be sure your lead is not riding up the mainline away from the bait. The exception is when I'm on the peninsula rivers where Bob fishes. Then I use the long leaders with a fixed lead so you can get in more of the pockets than you can with a slider.

As for bite detection, I don't think there are many fish that can bite a fixed lead rig and get away with it if you know what you're feeling and you're not using a half-pound of lead. But knowing what should trigger a hookset takes a long time to learn.

Just like most times when talking fishing, there's no one right answer. Play with bost and see what suits your fancy. But there's definitely no "without a doubt" one way or the other when talking fixed and sliding lead.


Fish on..........