I have used Heli leaders for many years for both chod rigs and normal hinge stiff, multi rigs etc. I am as much of a believer in fish care as the next guy so i thought this might be a good topic to touch on. I feel that when using a Heli type leader, the lead should always be fixed and not drop off style using a Heli safe for instance. The weight of the lead on the end of the leader is needed to help the fish safely pull the rig off the leader and out of harms way. If the lead is ejected then the leader has less resistance against the rig and less chance of the fish losing the leader.
If a Heli leader is setup correctly then i feel it is the safest leader setup out there. I use big eye swivels on all of my leaders, This helps the rig slide up and down the leader better. I also use chod safety beads as these come free of the leader once pressure is applied to them allowing only the slim rubber sleeve in place for the swivel to slide over and easily come off the leader.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter.
I've started using Heli set ups more and more for my fishing over the last year, especially on the weedy club water. Tends to be my go to when not using solid bags.
Have to agree I prefer to use a fixed lead over a heli-safe system given the option, it just makes sense that the lead still being attached will aid the carp in safely pulling the hooklink off the leader. If you use a big eye swivel and chod safety bead this is certainly one of the safest heli set ups you could use.
It's scary just how many people don't think the heli set up through properly though. Even with using a chod safety bead you still need to moisten the bead before sliding it on to the sleeve as without doing so even these beads can take some effort to pull free, especially if using a lead free type leader as it bulks out the sleeve more than a naked set up, making the bead a much tighter fit on the tapered sleeve.
Not used heli setups alot myself as feel the fish has the possibility of too much movement before feeling any resiatance from the lead but can see why they are popular when it comes to weedy/silty bottoms over a lead clip