CONTROVERSIAL BIG-WEIGHT METHODS

SLAPPING: Anglers lift their pole rig and slap it on the surface to create the sound of pellets being fed. It is done repetitively and once the fish come into the swim, they instantly swallow the hookbait as there is no other loose feed.

TAPPING: Similar to slapping, but it is the pole-tip that is thrashed around on the surface to create the noise. Some anglers feed absolutely nothing, tap for the whole session and manage to catch well over 200lb.

METHOD FEEDER : One of the most popular tactics in the country, but some fishery owners can’t stand the sight of it! The short hook length means that no strike is needed and the fish hook themselves. The Glebe, Hallcroft Fishery and Viaduct Fishery all ban the Method.

FLOATING POLE: This was a real winner when commercials first hit the scene and still scores heavily on some waters. Anglers float the majority of their pole on the water, sitting on the butt section with the pole-tip just out of the water. A length of line is attached to a hook, and when a fish takes the hookbait it hooks itself against the weight of the pole and bolts off.

NO FLOAT RIG: A length of line runs between the pole-tip and hook, with a BB shot placed on the line. The fish swallows the hookbait and instantly hooks itself against the pole-tip, removing the need to strike.