One of the most productive methods for multiple captures of any species of fish, is by accurate presentation of both loose feed, boilies and the hookbait to a small area in open water.The first task is to locate a possible feeding area that is within casting distance, to present a carpet of feed and your hookbait. The requirements for this are:
1) A markerrod,
2) A spod rod
3) 2, 3 or 4 Fishing rods.
The first rod that you should use is the markerrod which can find the depth of water, the contours of the lake bed and the texture of the make up of the lake bed. Once a fishingspot is located, allow the float to rise to the surface and pick a point on the skyline that the float is lined up with. Either record this or memorise the location. Wind the line back until you feel the marker hit the lead on the line, so that the marker is now on the lakebottom. Mark up the main line of the markerrod, at the butt ring of the rod with electrical tape or pole elastic. Once you are happy that it is properly marked, reel in the line.
Our next step is to mark up the spod rod and the fishing rods for that that baited area. (more…)
In the last year rather than stick to one main syndicate water I have fished lots of waters both in the UK and France.Most of these waters were completely new to me, many I had not even seen before I started fishing.Of course I could write about how I used watercraft, searching for gravel spots, weed beds, bars, drop offs, gulleys, bottlenecks and all the usual elements that go into choosing our swim and the places we fish in them.I’m going to take that as read though and concentrate on feeding. When I approach a new water; unless I know for certain the fish are feeding heavily, and fish are getting caught, it’s unlikely that I will start by creating large beds of particles or boilies from the start. (more…)
by Ron Key
American Signal Crayfish are here and they are spreading virtually unchecked. I first encountered them a few years ago in the Colne Valley where there were actually stocked in some waters to cultivate as food.They eventually escaped and have now spread over the whole of mainland UK. They are much larger than our native crayfish, and carry a fungus that is deadly to them. From an angling perspective they are so frustrating. The crayfish are relentless they will try to eat everything; this includes your hooklink and boilie stop.I gave up using mono hooklinks very quickly as the crayfish nipped the line seriously weakening it.I use soft braids or coated braids now; they tend to fold when nipped rather than deforming but they do need examining regularly for damage.I also hide the hair stop when possible as this is usually the first thing to be eaten, leaving your boilie free for the crayfish to rob you.At best the only indication you will get is a single beep of your buzzer and you are no longer fishing.
Just spent a week-end in real heavy winds. the Cambridgeshire lake I am fishing seems to always have a gale blowing across it. I guess because of the size of the place 1 3/4 mile around the bank then the wind builds up more momentum across it than it would appear to do on smaller sheltered lakes. Also Cambridgeshire isn’t the sort of place you go off on a hill walking or mountaineering holiday - it is pretty flat. (more…)
There are many options for accurate baiting and baitpresentation. Probably one of the most neglected is wading out your baits to give you that perfect presentation. On 90% of waters this will not be possible, due to depth, silt or wading restrictions, but if it is possible then why not give it a try.
On a local lake that I fish the depths of the waters quantify the use of chest waders. With depths of around 3 to 3 ½ feet, getting in the water in chesties is not a problem.
Prior to this I would have already have done my plumbing work with a markerfloat to ensure that wading is possible.
Care still has to be taken as there a some large areas of deep silt and weed. I initially take out my landing net handle to use as a prod to ensure that I am not walking into a silt hole or walking off or onto a ledge..
Now there may be some of you that are horrified that that I am disturbing the carp from the margins and scattering them to the far end of the lake. Most estate lakes, as with the one that I am talking about, are used to graze cattle etc.
About 10 years ago I started fishing a local lake,..a parklake about 8 acre’s in size.At that time the stock level was massive, lots of doubles and twenties. with the odd thirty plus fish.
The biggest resident at that time weighted 34 lb…a big mirrorcarp. Everybody wanted to catch that monster.Fishing was fairly easy, days of 5 fish or more where standard.The fish loved the anglers bait and kept coming back for it. At that time I did not land the monster, but sadly lost it in front of the net twice. Last year I had caught my targetfish from another lake fairly fast. With no direct other option I decided to take a ticket for the lake I fished 10 years ago. After arriving I noticed allot of anglers, but nobody catching anything.. All the anglers complained, they did not feed..weather was wrong..etc I just started using questbaits at that particular moment, and it was a good option to test quest them on these no feeding, weathermoody fish. After the 1st session , using fruitly trifle and smokey fish I blanked.(more…)