THIS WEEK: Adapt to water colour and catch more carp
WE’RE at that funny time of year when carp on commercials are still feeding strongly despite the cooler nights and shorter days.
Can you still afford to attack with lots of bait, or is scaling back and being minimal with the feed a better strategy to adopt?
Even on the feeder, this key question needs answering – and according to England international Des Shipp, it’s all to do with the colour of the water.
Find a nice chocolate brown tinge to the lake and you’re in business, but if things are a little on the clear side it may pay to hold fire on lumping the bait in.
The Preston Innovations man also reckons that taking advantage of any cover your swim may offer is vital, so if you’re getting the feeder rod out of the bag this weekend, you could do a lot worse than follow the jovial Bristolian’s feeder fishing advice…
FISH TWO LINES “This is the real beauty of a farbank cast because it gives me more than one area to fish.
“Often I will have two ‘swims’ – one that’s my main area and a secondary spot to rest the first swim. Generally I’ll catch two fish from one spot and then rest it. I rarely catch one fish and then change, as that way I’d never be doing justice to either area.”
METHOD OR PELLET FEEDER? “I’m a big fan of the Method feeder because of its versatility.
“You can use just pellets on the feeder or add varying amounts of groundbait if you think that the fish want it. I’ll begin with Sonubaits Fin Perfect micro pellets around the feeder, but if things aren’t really happening, I’ll add a spot of groundbait (50/50 Match Method Mix and Supercrush Green F1) and see how long it takes to get a response.
FEEDER SIZES I rarely go heavier than a 30g Preston Innovations Dura Method feeder. This will grip a slope perfectly and is heavy enough to ensure accurate casting in any wind that’s blowing. A 4ins hooklink of 0.17mm Powerline is fine, perhaps scaling down to 0.15mm if the fishing is hard but never any lower. Hooks are the KKM-B eyed hooks in a size 16.
TOP HOOKBAITS “In coloured water, bright baits are miles better and that means a 6mm Mini Band’Um in white or yellow – but when the water is clearer, I’ll go brighter still. Pink is a brilliant colour to pick.
“I’ll also go to a smaller hookbait if I am getting indications on the tip but no bites – perhaps a 4mm pellet.”