Hey Terry: In answer to your question, the rig I use lets the head detach or not, as you like. If you use the slide and don't rig to the head, the weakest part of your system is where the slide hits the "stop", and that's not enough to hold a big gator every time. You know that, which is why you are rigging to the head. The only difference in what I do is getting the head tied in to the line AND the slide. Still on the road, then gotta go hunt with Karen. I'll try to get pics in a few days. Again, great hunt, great pics, nice gators! - Jay