How to sink your line – three simple methods explained
THE ability to sink your reel line under the surface is one of the most essential skills in coarse fishing.
It might only be a small point but it’s really important from a presentation point of view – however, there are exceptions. If you’re fishing for a bite within 10 seconds of the float landing, for example on the pellet waggler, then you can sometimes get away with leaving your line floating on the surface.
When a pellet waggler lands, you don’t want to pull it out of place away from the splash and you want to be ready for a bite the second the float lands.
You might also be able to leave your line on the top on a completely flat calm day, although this is very rare. Most of the time, though, a bow will quickly form in any wind or tow. If you don’t sink this it will cause poor presentation, dragging the float out of place.
Sinking your line is just as important when fishing a bomb or feeder. If you don’t do it, again a large bow will form in the line, especially if there is tow on the venue. Something like the flow of a river can be enough to dislodge your rig. And if you’re fishing for smaller fish on a feeder, when you’ll probably have to strike to hook them, any bow in the line will make the line at your rod end less direct to the rig. Keeping a straight line will allow you to see the tiniest of indications from small fish, or line bites from bigger ones.
A good sinking mainline such as Preston Power Max is a must, and I have a few simple ways to sink all of it...
“Sinking the reel line under the surface is important in terms of presentation”