Will roach turn on to hemp straight away?

HOW long should I wait before trying to catch roach on hemp?

Mick Naughton, Clifton

CATCH on hemp and the size of roach should increase substantially compared to what you’d be hooking using maggots or pinkies.

You are right to surmise that it can take a while for the fish to get going on seed, and as a general rule it takes an hour of constant feeding before you can expect bites.

However, sometimes you can catch from the first cast on hemp. If you plan on using it, begin by feeding it either as loosefeed or via pole pot, but start with maggot on the hook.

When you are catching roach steadily, now is the time to slip a grain on the hook and see what the response is. If the float goes under regularly it’s time to fill your boots, but if nothing happens, switch back to maggots, keep feeding hemp and try again in 20 minutes’ time. There will come a moment when the fish switch on to hemp and you’ll empty the place. Potting in hemp at the start can work well.