MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!
Get bombing with a double wafter – it’s Steve’s secret edge for bigger carp nets…
LOOKING at the match results in Angling Times right now there’s one tactic that’s winning more matches with big carp than any other – straight lead and pellet.
This is a simple but effective way of fishing and that can mean it’s difficult to get an edge over your rivals when you’re all using the same tactics.
However, in recent weeks, I reckon I’ve found a little edge with my hook-baits that’s helped me.
Instead of using hard pellets like everyone else I’ve been fishing double wafters, and have been mixing the colours to create unique hook-baits.
My theory is that the extra buoyancy of wafters makes them trickier for even the wariest carp to deal with – and I know I’ve been getting a few extra bites as a result.
Two wafters just sink when they’re attached to a size 10 QM1 hook which means when a carp sucks the hookbait in, it becomes difficult for it to eject again as it flies up inside its mouth.
Here’s how to fish my double wafter tactic…
WHAT TO FEED
As far as bait for feeding goes, then it will come as no surprise to know it’s all about using hard pellets.
Size is worth discussing, though, as there is a choice, 8mm or 10mm. Which I choose depends on the size of carp I’m looking to catch and how far out I want to feed and fish.
If it’s a 10lb fish, and I’m looking to catch at long range, I’d opt for 10mm pellets because you can fire them out further with a catty.
That decision today, though, has been taken out of my hands as at Meadowlands you have to use the fishery’s own pellets and the biggest available is 8mm, which is perfect for the fish and distance.
Quantity-wise, for a five-hour session on a lake such as this one I’d want a minimum of four pints, bearing in mind I’m probably looking to catch 100lb plus.
HOOKBAIT EXPERIMENTS
Wafters have, without doubt, been the revelation for bomb fishing and, rather than fishing one, I prefer to fish two as this creates a bigger, more visible bait.
Colour is, perhaps, the most interesting part. While I’ve caught a lot of carp on two pellet wafters, I’ve actually found that the washed-out yellows are better.
I think the reason for this is that once in the water two washed-out yellows actually look just like two
coarse pellets that have been on the bottom awhile and are viewed as being safe to eat.
It can also be worth experimenting with wafter colours and even mixing them so you are fishing one of each, ie a washedout yellow and pellet, especially if you aren’t catching and think there are carp present.
When fishing with double wafters, have a tub of water on your bait tray to test hookbaits prior to casting to make sure they are behaving in the right way.
The hookbaits should just sink under the weight of the hook. If they’re not quite there you can trim them slightly with a pair of scissors until they are just sinking!
HOW TO FEED YOUR SWIM
On the feeding front, it’s hard to advise on a set feeding pattern. What I normally tend to find when bomb fishing is it’s important to vary it to keep fish interested and pull more carp into the peg.
As a guide, though, I like to kick off a session by feeding eight to 12 pellets twice every two minutes.
When I say twice I actually mean
in a row, as I like to feed, then feed again instantly.
My theory with this type of feeding has always been that the carp hear the first lot of pellets hit the water and then follow the second lot down.
Of course, I have no evidence that this is what actually happens but what I do know is that it’s a feeding pattern that’s served me well!
After this, I will then look to feed to bites and indications. For example, if I’m getting indications but no bites I will up my feed
amount but feed less often.
My thinking is that by feeding less often the carp will settle on the feed better, but at the same time I still need a volume of bait to hold them there.
Equally if I don’t get signs or bites, I will up the regularity of my feed but reduce the amount.
This time the idea is to pull carp into the swim and the best way of doing this is to feed and create noise, but I don’t want to put too much bait on the bottom.
WHERE TO CAST
Where you fish might seem obvious, but in reality working different parts of your swim can make a huge difference to just how many bites you get.
Once the carp are feeding and I’m confident there are a few fish in the swim, I like to cast right in the middle of the loose offerings.
However, when the fish aren’t settled, or it’s hard, I’ve found that casting to the back of my feed catches an awful lot of carp.
I believe when there aren’t many carp present, those that are there become more cautious and sit off the back of the feed.
These fish then move in and out of the baited area when they want to feed. By targeting them where they are sitting, your chances of getting a bite are, therefore, vastly increased.
So next time you’re fishing the bomb and the fishing is slow, try casting off the back of the feed. You might well be surprised by the response.