A SIMPLE LOAFER SET-UP

THE LOAFER

Developed by Peter Drennan, the Loafer is a top-and-bottom attached crystal float with the capacity to carry a lot of shot – up to 5SSG. Its shoulders give it stability so it can be held back in a strong current without pulling under, and its broad tip is highly visible.

SHOTTING

There’s no delicate presentation of a delicately falling bait with the Loafer – the idea is to get the bait down on to or near the riverbed and then hold the float back so that the hookbait wafts enticingly an inch or two above it. Bulk shotting achieves this.

DROPPER SHOT

A BB or No4 can be used to keep the bait close to the bottom, although many anglers prefer to shot a Loafer with a simple bulk and nothing underneath.

MAINLINE

Mainline needs to be strong, given that the Loafer is used almost exclusively to target big fish. When he trotted a preserved shrimp for salmon on the Hampshire Avon, Martin opted for 12lb Synchro XT – mono is better than braid, as its stretch acts as a cushion.

HOOKBAIT

Here a good-sized piece of breadflake is pinched on to a size 6-10 wide gape hook, leaving the hookpoint exposed – the bait will swell once it’s in the water. A gentle underarm lob of a cast will help it to stay on the hook until a fish comes along and sucks it in.