Tricks to catch more fish shallow
THIS WEEK: Choose the right rig and catch more fish shallow
SUMMER is finally here and high temperatures and hours of sunshine inevitably lead to fish exploring the upper layers of the water.
Fishing on the deck will lead to a real struggle, but turn to a shallow attack and you’ll bag from the off.
Former Fish O’Mania finalist and Tri-Cast-backed Dave Roberts is a dab hand at shallow fishing. He’s put together dozens of 100lb-plus catches on the approach and this week reveals his winning tactics.
KEEP IT BUSY
Lifting, lowering and slapping the rig on the surface keeps the hookbait moving and makes noises which fish associate with food.
On some days you can slap the rig once and leave it for 20 seconds before repeating, while on others it might be best to slap five times on the trot to make lots of noise before leaving it for a short period.
FEEDING REGIME
Regular feeding is vital, but how often and how much can vary. Start by feeding about 10 pellets every 30 seconds but if bites tail off change it, possibly feeding fewer pellets but more frequently. By trialling different patterns for short periods you’ll soon work out what is best for the day.
IDEAL DEPTH
I start at around 18ins deep when shallow fishing, and the carp and F1s will soon tell you whether you are at the right depth. If you miss bites or foul hook fish it means they are above your hookbait and brushing against the line, giving you false indications. When this happens, shallow up a few inches.