Quest Baits Blog

by Shaun Harrison

Stalking Fun
This trip down memory lane ( see previous post) also triggered further thoughts. Due to my present circumstances (single with a dog and nowhere to fish where I can take her), I have spent most of this summer fishing very short stalking sessions. My beloved Free Spirit ‘S’ Range 10-footers have never had so much use, and some great fun has been had with proper eyeball-to-eyeball situations. Most of the carp I have caught this summer have fallen to hookbaits just a few feet out. In most of the cases I have actually watched the carp take the hookbait, which is all good heart pumping stuff, and I have really enjoyed doing this. From what started out as desperate measures in order to be able to actually wet a line, it has resulted in one of the most enjoyable summer’s fishing I have had for many years. I am positive the tackle I have used has heightened this pleasure. I love using short, soft rods and I get a big kick out of catching carp on centrepin reels.

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By Jamie Simpson;

I managed to get out for an overnight session at the weekend as I had been invited to a water by a good friend. As we were sat discussing everything from fishing to politics, a subject came up that brought back a few memories and one that I now dont even need to consider.

The subject was the balance between rod and reel, now most people may not see this as important but trust me when you have spent as long and as much money as me being unhappy that my casting is not quite right for one reason or another, then you will see the importance.

For quite some time I had been more than happy with my 2 1/2 lb Armalites coupled with baitrunner 4500gt reels, but I knew they had seen better days and was planning on fishing a few waters where they would probably cost me fish so a new set up was required.

I went out and I purchased a set of Harrison Chimera 12ft 3 1/2lb rods and balanced these with Shimano big pit baitrunners.

Not a bad set up were my thoughts when I got them set up at home, yet on the bank they just weren’t right for me. I stand at 5ft 7in and I just couldn’t get the set up moving how I wanted. Now there wasn’t anything wrong with the gear at all, but it just didn’t suit my style and height. I also found playing the fish awkward and not really enjoyable. continue reading…

Question from Roger Mills;

Hi, I propose to put some order into my carp fishing and use a marker system to identify underwater features.  I see there are various rods on the market. What test curve would give the best response when trying to find lake features?
Regards, Roger 

Hi Roger,

For all my marker float work I use a stiff (tippy action) 3lb test curve road.  

A through action rod is not much use as all the knocks and bumps from bottom features are absorbed by the through action of the rod. 

The action of the rod is much more important than the test curve.  Using braided line also helps to “feel” the contours of the bottom, but in my experience you will need a mono leader with it as the increased friction of the braid will stop the marker float popping up. 

Hope this helps and good luck.Jim Kelly